When you decide to become a North Carolina real estate broker (that’s what an agent is called here), you will need to take 75-hours of pre-licensing courses to get your NC real estate broker license. A popular way of achieving the required courses is to find an online real estate school in North Carolina. With a best real estate school, you will get the help you need to become a licensed real estate agent in North Carolina. There are plenty of great options to choose from.
Before you make the decision, you want to make sure you’re choosing a top school. We list the cost of each package they offer, the pros and cons, any guarantees, and if they offer exam prep with these real estate schools in North Carolina.
Best 6 Online Real Estate Schools in North Carolina
1. Aceable Agent
One of the top options for your real estate education, Aceable Agent offers everything you need in North Carolina. They offer the NCREC-approved 75-hour real estate pre-licensing course, along with so much more. In addition, you get self-paced courses allowing you to work on your schedule in the comfort of your own home.
Aceable Agent offers the course in bite-size chunks to make it easier to work through the required 75 hours of content. They even offer a pass-the-test or your money-back guarantee, so you know you’re getting a great deal.
You can choose from three different package options with Aceable, including:
- Basic – For $529, you get access to a 75-hour pre-license course, instructor support, fully narrated courses, an audio guide for all lessons, lite exam prep, 1,000 unique real estate exam practice questions, and a mini-course on how to find the right sponsoring broker.
- Deluxe – For $699, you get everything in the Basic package as well as PrepAgent state exam prep, premium study aids, 75 videos, 70 audio lessons, and digital flashcards on key real estate concepts, national & state questions, deluxe exam prep featuring 1,660+ additional practice exam questions, and a Real Estate Exam Prep Ebook featuring more than 100 pages of exam prep.
- Premium – For $799, you get everything in the Deluxe package plus 1 hour of private tutoring with a real estate expert (scheduled at your convenience), live webinars 5 times a week covering core real estate concepts, full access to webinar archives, live Q&As every Friday.
| AceableAgent Pros | AceableAgent Cons |
|---|---|
| Mobile App | No In-Person Classes |
| High Pass Rates | No Livestream Classes |
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Aceable Agent does have a refund policy as long as you have not completed the course and the request is within 30 days of purchase. After that, you need to contact their student concierge. A course is considered completed if you have gone through all the levels of the course, whether or not you have taken and passed the final exam.
If you have purchased through a third party (e.g., Groupon), you will need to contact them to receive a refund.
Please note that the extension will not be refundable if you have requested a course extension because of an expiring course completion date.
2. The CE Shop
Another great option for your real estate school in North Carolina is The CE Shop. They offer a prelicensing course you can do at your own pace and have been doing so since 2005. With plenty of options to choose from, you can get the extra features you want, including a 96% student satisfaction rate!
You can get a pass guarantee with The CE Shop to ensure you pass the real estate license exam. If you are able to treat your study schedule as a 40-hour work week, you can complete the 75-hour course in as little as two weeks.
The CE Shop offers three different package options, including:
- Standard Package – For $715, you get 75-hours of NC prelicensing course, Exam Prep Edge – national & North Carolina, a pass guarantee, instructor-led webinars on exam topics, business eBooks written by experts, career resources, downloadable resources, digital flashcards, a real estate glossary, and a study schedule.
- Value Package – For $795, you get everything in the Standard package as well as business building courses to help deepen your knowledge.
- Premium Package – For $1079, you get everything in the Value package plus a 90-hour NC post-licensing package and a Real Estate Basics and Beyond eTextbook.
| The CE Shop Pros | The CE Shop Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple Packages to Choose From | No In-Person Classes |
| Offers a Post-Licensing Course | No Instructor Support |
Cancellation/Refund Policy
The CE Shop offers a refund of the purchase price as long as the request is submitted within 30 days of the purchase date, prior to the course expiration, and less than 50% of the course has been completed.
If you are requesting a refund for Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop will refund the purchase price as long as the request is within 30 days of the purchase date and the initial assessment has not been completed.
Ebooks are non-returnable, and all sales are final.
3. Kaplan Real Estate Education
One of the most trusted names in online education, Kaplan is one of the best online real estate schools in North Carolina. They have more than 80 years of education experience and have provided many options online for real estate agents starting their real estate careers.
Kaplan provides the pre-licensing course you need, along with exam prep, post-licensing courses, continuing education courses, and professional development courses.
You can choose from four different package options with Kapaln, including:
- North Carolina 75-Hour Broker Prelicensing Course – For $449, you get North Carolina 75-hour broker pre-licensing course, Modern Real Estate Practice in North Carolina textbook, Google classroom, free online proctoring for the exam, North Carolina exam prep course, North Carolina real estate drill & practice Qbank, interactive study group (live online), one-on-one tutoring, and career mentor connect (live online).
- North Carolina 75-Hour Prelicensing Live Online Broker Package – For $549, you get everything in the broker pre-license course, but the pre-licensing course and the interactive study group are available in the live online format. The exam prep course is available in BOTH the live online and online video formats!
- Career Launcher Package (75-Credit Hours) – For $649, you get North Carolina 75-hour broker pre-licensing course, Modern Real Estate Practice in North Carolina textbook, Google classroom, exam proctoring, North Carolina exam prep course, North Carolina real estate drill & practice Qbank, interactive study group (live online), one-on-one tutoring, career mentor connect (live online), and real estate accelerator online video course & live online personal coaching.
- Career Launcher Live Online Package (75-Credit Hours) – For $749, You get everything in the Carrer Launcher package, but the pre-licensing course, interactive study group, and real estate accelerator coaching are available in the live online format. The exam prep course is available in BOTH the live online and online video formats.
All live online classes are done through Zoom; you will need to have a Zoom account and have it downloaded to attend the class.
| Kaplan Pros | Kaplan Cons |
|---|---|
| #1 Name in Test Prep | No Mobile App |
| Live Online Course |
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Kaplan does offer a cancellation policy; all web-based courses, live courses, and paper-based courses need to be requested for a refund within 30 days of the date of purchase, and only if the course/class has not been completed. If you request a refund for a live class or paper-based course, you must return all unused materials.
Real Estate Accelerator can be canceled up to one week before the start date, and all downloadable materials are final and non-refundable.
4. RealEstateU
RealEstateU is another great online NC real estate school that offers pre-licensing broker education. They have over 140,000 real estate students across the United States. In addition, they offer one of the best budget-friendly options for those trying to get their NC real estate license.
You can try RealEstateU for 30 days, go through the workbooks, listen to the audio courses, and review all the extra materials. If for any reason you are not satisfied and you have not completed more than 50% of the program, you will get your money back.
RealEstateU offers three different course package options to choose from, including:
- Course Only – For $399, you get access to their 75-hour pre-license course, online audio courses, infographics of key concepts, supporting documents, a course glossary, and a course(s) certificate of completion.
- Course + Study Guide – For $524, you get everything in the Course Only package plus North Carolina real estate exam prep with potential North Carolina real estate exam questions and 8 sample tests mimicking the national and state exam.
- Course + Study Guide + e-Textbook – For $553, you get everything in the Course + Study Guide package plus North Carolina course PDF eTextbooks, text/audio transcripts, all the course infographics, and key terms each student must know to pass the two finals and state exam.
With RealEstateU, you can also download the North Carolina Pre-License Broker Course Policies and Procedures Disclosures for free.
| RealEstateU Pros | RealEstateU Cons |
|---|---|
| Very Affordable | No Live Classes |
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Real Estate U does have a refund policy for their real estate course. You can request a refund if you have not completed more than 50% of the course and it’s within 30 days of the purchase date. You may be subject to a $20 admin charge for your refund.
Books are not eligible for a refund.
Course(s) purchased through Groupon and/or Living Social will have to contact Groupon and/or Living Social to obtain a refund in accordance with their refund policy.
5. FastPass Learning
FastPass Learning is one of the top online real estate schools in North Carolina that are dedicated individuals that are committed to helping their students become real estate professionals. They pride themselves on having a comprehensive course that is convenient for their users and flexible for your busy schedule so that you can study at your pace.
They also offer exam prep courses so you can be fully prepared to take the state exam, as well as continuing education courses to keep your real estate license current. They offer the most affordable package for those looking to get into the real estate industry.
With FastPass, you get two different package options to choose from, including:
- Standard – For $249, you get access to the 75-hour state-approved course, 24/7 instructor support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Premium – For $329, you get everything in the Standard package as well as a state exam simulator, exam prep flashcards, and a course eBook.
| FastPass Learning Pros | FastPass Learning Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | No Extra Features with Standard Package |
Cancellation/Refund Policy
FastPass Learning does have a refund policy where they will refund your money within 30-days, no questions asked.
6. Superior School of Real Estate
Superior School of Real Estate is one of the top real estate schools in North Carolina. They are partnered with Colibri Real Estate, so you know you are picking a great real estate school. They offer the required education hours through pre-licensing courses, along with post-licensing and a continuing education course. In addition, they offer Livestream classes, self-paced online courses, and in-person courses.
Superior School has career nights where you can meet real estate expert instructors during this event. You will learn what it takes to become a real estate professional and advance your real estate career. They pride themselves on having a blueprint for success that they claim is a proven action plan that takes the guesswork out of becoming a licensed real estate broker.
There are two online options to choose from, which are:
- Online North Carolina Real Estate Broker Prelicensing – For $549, you get access to the 75-hour pre-licensing curriculum for real estate brokers and access to comprehensive coaching videos created & presented by Buffini & Company.
- Broker Pre-Licensing Course – Virtual – For $549, an instructor will teach the 75-hour of pre-license course, and books & materials will be shipped to your home.
| Superior School of Real Estate Pros | Superior School of Real Estate Cons |
|---|---|
| Self-Paced Option | Not Many Features |
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Superior School of Real Estate does have a refund policy for online courses; you have 30-days from the date of purchase to request a refund.
For Livestream and in-person classes, you can receive a full refund if you give prior notice to the start of class. Prior notice is required for withdrawals; no notice – no refund
Physical textbooks, manuals, and shipping are non-refundable.
How to Choose an Online Real Estate School in North Carolina
Before you choose a top-rated real estate school in North Carolina, you want to consider a few factors, such as how you prefer to learn, your current schedule, the school’s reputation, and your budget. These four factors will help you to better determine which real estate school matches best with you.
- What’s Your Learning Style – Do you learn best on your own? Maybe you prefer an instructor teaching the class. Do you need practice tests? Whether you prefer to read, listen, or watch lessons, there’s an option for you. Every real estate school is a bit different, however. So make sure you choose an online school with the right type of lessons for your learning preference.
- Your Current Schedule -While scheduling isn’t an issue with most online real estate schools in NC, it might be with live options. If you choose a package with live tutoring or other live options, ensure they fit your schedule. Other real estate school packages will provide self-paced options you can complete at any time of the day.
- The Reputation of the School – How long has the school been around? Are they brand new, or do they have several years of experience? Checking the reputation of the school you choose is important. Make sure to read the reviews from past students, too. This will tell you quite a bit about the reputation of the school.
- Your Budget -Online real estate schools in North Carolina come in at many different prices. There are options for around $350 and options for more than $1,000. Make sure you consider your budget before choosing the right school for you.
Considering these four factors, you can now match the right real estate school in North Carolina with your needs and preferences to get the right start in your real estate career.
Frequently Asked Questions about North Carolina Real Estate Schools
What are the requirements to obtain a real estate license in North Carolina?
To obtain a real estate license in North Carolina, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Complete a 75-hour pre-licensing course from an approved real estate school
- Pass the North Carolina real estate license exam
- Submit an application and fee to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Undergo a criminal background check
How do I prepare for the North Carolina real estate license exam?
To prepare for the NC real estate exam, you should:
- Complete the required 75-hour pre-licensing course
- Review course materials and textbooks thoroughly
- Take practice exams and quizzes to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement
- Consider enrolling in an exam prep course or using study aids, such as flashcards or mobile apps, to reinforce your learning
- Familiarize yourself with the exam format and the testing center’s policies and procedures
Remember, consistent study and practice are key to passing the exam on your first attempt so you can begin your real estate business.
What is the cost of a pre-licensing course in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the cost of a pre-licensing course typically falls between $300 and $600. However, this price may vary depending on factors such as the school, course format (online or in-person), and any additional materials required, like textbooks or exam fees.
Can real estate courses be completed online in North Carolina?
Absolutely! You can take real estate courses online in North Carolina; doing so is quite popular. Many approved schools offer flexible and convenient online pre-licensing courses, allowing you to learn at your pace while ensuring the course meets state requirements so you can become a licensed North Carolina real estate agent.
Is continuing education required for North Carolina real estate license renewal?
Yes, real estate agents must complete 8 hours of continuing education each year to renew their license. This typically includes a 4-hour mandatory “Update” course and a 4-hour elective course. The continuing education courses must be taken from an approved real estate school to ensure they meet the North Carolina Real Estate Commission requirements.
