Looking for the best Alabama real estate schools to help you launch a new career in the industry? Look no further. First, you’ll have to complete a 60-hour prelicensing course to get your Alabama real estate license.
To help you get started, we reviewed the top Alabama real estate schools and evaluated their quality of instruction, platform design, ease of use, cost, and more. It has never been easier to choose the right Alabama real estate school to fit your needs, timeline, and learning style. Let’s dive in!
4 Best Alabama Real Estate Schools for 2023
| Our Top Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate | ||
| Best for Career Resources: The CE Shop | ||
| Best Budget School: PDH Real Estate Academy | ||
| Best School for Livestream & In-person Classes: MY Real Estate School |
(Alabama prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Alabama Real Estate Governing Body:
Alabama Real Estate Commission
Prelicensing Requirements:
60 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
30 Hours Within the First Year
Continuing Education Requirements:
15 Hours Every Two Years
Alabama Real Estate Schools—Helpful Info
To help you choose your Alabama real estate school, we’ve collected some helpful information for you to keep in mind. All of the schools on our list provide a variety of real estate programs, so we’ve broken them down to guide you. A career in real estate requires you to stay current and informed.
Alabama is also one of the few states that require you to complete a proctored prelicensing exam after you’ve finished your prelicensing course. This is not your Alabama state license exam. When you’ve completed your prelicensing coursework, you’ll sit for a prelicensing exam. Then, you’ll apply for the license exam with the Alabama Real Estate Commission.
Let’s take a look at the real estate programs offered by the Alabama real estate schools on our list.
Prelicensing Courses
Your real estate career in Alabama begins with a 60-hour prelicensing course and a prelicensing exam to qualify for your real estate license. You may choose to complete your prelicensing course in person at a school or online. Online real estate schools are popular because they allow you to complete your course from the comfort of home.
Exam Preparation
Some real estate schools offer targeted exam preparation packages outside of their prelicensing courses. These are helpful for anyone who gets test anxiety or simply likes to be extra prepared for an exam. Colibri Real Estate is one of our favorites, since they offer exam prep packages that include everything you need to ace your exam.
Post-licensing
Once you become licensed in Alabama, you must complete post-licensing requirements. These are normally soon after your original licensing date, usually within a year. In Alabama, you’ll need to complete a 30-hour post-licensing course within the first year of receiving your license. The CE Shop includes your post-licensing hours in their premium prelicensing package.
Continuing Education
Continuing education refers to the required hours you’ll need to put in every multi-year cycle in order to maintain and renew your real estate license. In Alabama, you must complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years. Both Colibri Real Estate and The CE Shop offer convenient, online continuing education that you can complete at your own pace.
Getting your license is only the start of your journey with real estate education. With our help, choosing the right real estate school for you will be a breeze. Here our top picks.
Best Overall Alabama Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
Colibri Real Estate has been successfully teaching real estate agents for 25 years nationwide. They were one of the first real estate schools to introduce online learning, so you know you’re in good hands navigating their platform. They’re easy to use, innovative, and they offer the most variety in their package options so you can pick what’s important to you.
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Colibri Real Estate Pricing
Let’s check out Colibri Real Estate’s four prelicensing packages.
- The Basics ($319): If you’re a self-starter, this package is for you. You’ll get three real estate e-books and access to state-approved instructor support via email.
- Exam Preparation ($389): In addition to the basics, this package includes dozens of practice exams and flashcards to help you study. They’re so confident you’ll pass your license exam the first time, they include a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($499): On top of the above features, this package includes Q&A sessions with an instructor, a real estate dictionary, and their Live Exam Crammer Series webinars that allow you to study alongside others and an instructor.
- Ultimate Learning Package ($579): This package includes everything above, and you’ll get a printed copy of the textbook and a one-year professional development membership with McKissock Learning.
(Alabama prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Alabama. Use promo code TheClose25 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: There is a lot we like about Colibri Real Estate. Their platform is easy to navigate when you’re tuning into lessons or looking for exam prep materials. We also love how much access students get to an instructor. You can email your state-approved instructor anytime, join the instructor Q&A sessions, or ask questions at the Live Crammer exam prep webinar series.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: It’s hard to find something wrong with Colibri Real Estate’ platform. The only downside is that you won’t be able to use Colibri Real Estate if you choose to get your broker license later on, since they don’t offer it.
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t be disappointed in the least with Colibri Real Estate’s user-friendly platform and customizable package options.
Best Alabama Real Estate School for Career Resources: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
The CE Shop specializes in providing continuing education nationwide for real estate professionals. They’ve done so well at it that they’ve expanded into prelicensing, post-licensing, and exam prep too. The CE Shop takes pride in its high student satisfaction rate, where 96% of students give their programs 5 out of 5 stars and would recommend them to others.
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Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!
The CE Shop is the only school on our list that lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!
The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers four prelicensing packages with a variety of features. Take a look:
- Courses Only ($315): A fully packed basic package, you’ll get a study schedule, flashcards, and career resources like e-books written by real estate professionals.
- Standard Package ($379): In addition to the course, this includes Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop’s exam prep bundle to cover everything you need to know for your license exam.
- Value Package ($419): On top of everything above, this package includes Building Business Courses that provide advice and strategies for setting up your first years as a real estate agent.
- Premium Package ($589): Along with everything in previous packages, this package includes your 30-hour post-licensing course.
(Alabama prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We really appreciate that The CE Shop provides its career resources in every package, even its basic option. Written by industry experts who have been through it themselves, you’ll get tips and tricks for avoiding pitfalls and gaining success in your first years as an agent.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: You won’t get access to live instructor support if you get stuck throughout The CE Shop’s prelicensing course. Plan to review the content and work at your own pace to make sure you grasp each concept before moving on.
BOTTOM LINE: Choose The CE Shop if you’re looking for advice for what comes after your real estate license and ways to hit the ground running.
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Best Alabama Real Estate School for Your Budget: PDH Real Estate Academy
PDH Real Estate Academy offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
PDH Real Estate Academy’s offerings are short and sweet—they offer only prelicensing and exam prep in Alabama and specialize in offering real estate education on a budget. They make sure to offer many of the same features you come to expect with online learning, like self-paced classes, exam prep, and even a pass guarantee.
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PDH Real Estate Academy Pricing
PDH Real Estate Academy has one prelicensing package in Alabama:
- Premium Prelicense With Exam Prep ($340): This package includes access to instructor support, exam prep with hundreds of practice questions, e-books, and a few handy resources for the future like tips for home inspection, radon, and mold.
(Alabama prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We have to say that PDH Real Estate Academy’s one prelicensing package knows how to pack in the features. They include several of the add-ons other schools’ premium packages offer.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: PDH Real Estate Academy prides itself on being budget-friendly against its competition, but its $340 price tag is still comparable to other schools’ basic packages. If you’re happy with the extra features you’re getting in PDH’s package, then you’re getting a deal.
BOTTOM LINE: PDH Real Estate Academy is great for anyone who doesn’t want to have to choose among various packages and features.
Best Alabama Real Estate School for Livestream & In-person Classes: MY Real Estate School
MY Real Estate School offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
MY Real Estate School is located in Birmingham and is the oldest operating Alabama real estate school. They strive to provide top-tier instructions from real estate professionals who have worked in the industry in Alabama. They aim to make their courses as interesting and easy to understand as possible, so the content sticks with you for the rest of your career.
MY Real Estate School Pros | MY Real Estate School Cons |
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MY Real Estate School Pricing
MY Real Estate School offers in-person learning, two livestream course options, and one online self-paced option for their prelicensing course.
- Evening Livestream Prelicense Course ($469): With this package, you’ll have access to scheduled live webinars with an instructor to go through the prelicensing course.
- Daytime In-person Prelicense Course ($469): In-person prelicensing classes are held in Vestavia and run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Online Self-paced Prelicense Course ($299): The self-paced course includes interactive tutorials and practice questions at the end of each section to review what you’ve learned.
(Alabama prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: MY Real Estate School is perfect for locals in Alabama who are looking for the accountability of a livestream or in-person prelicensing course. MY Real Estate School has been teaching in Alabama for decades and their strength is in their instruction.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: If you’re interested in exam prep, it won’t come included in any of their prelicensing classes. You’ll have to purchase their exam crammer series separately.
BOTTOM LINE: MY Real Estate School is for anyone looking for an alternative to self-paced online learning options and who prefer live interactions with an instructor.
Alabama Real Estate Schools FAQs
Got more questions? We’ve answered your most frequently asked questions so you have all you need to choose the Alabama real estate school that’s right for you. If we didn’t answer your question, let us know in the comments section below.
What do I need to be eligible to get my real estate license in Alabama?
You’ll need to check a few requirements off the list in order to qualify for an Alabama real estate license, including being at least 19 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You will also need to show proof of residency in the U.S. and be a high school graduate or GED recipient.
How do I become a real estate agent in Alabama?
Start by taking a 60-hour prelicensing course, complete a proctored prelicensing exam, and then you can apply for the state license exam. Once you’ve studied and you’re ready, take the license exam and apply for your Alabama real estate license.
Which Alabama real estate school is best for me?
Our top pick for best overall school is Colibri Real Estate. It’s affordable, and the course is expertly designed and easy to navigate.
If you’re looking for career resources that’ll help you down the road, we’d also recommend The CE Shop. They specialize in continuing education, so they have plenty of experience teaching current salespeople and brokers, and offer a variety of career resources in their packages.
Can I get my Alabama real estate license online?
The good news is that you can complete nearly all the steps to get your real estate license online. You can take your prelicensing course online and complete your course exam with an online proctor from home. You will need to take your license exam in person, but after, you’ll be able to apply for your real estate license online too.
How many Realtors are there in Alabama?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ October 2022 data, there are 18,580 real estate agents in Alabama. This is a very slight decrease from the previous month and about a 4% increase from October 2021.
How much do real estate agents make in Alabama?
According to Indeed.com, a real estate agent in Alabama can expect to make about $102,102 each year, which is a nice number. Huntsville and Birmingham lead the state with averages of $104,000.
What’s the average home price in Alabama?
It won’t surprise anyone that average home prices in Alabama are up about 15% this year over last year. Zillow puts the median price at $216,108.
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Bringing It All Together
Your exciting new career in real estate is just around the corner. We hope our list of top Alabama real estate schools makes your first step a little easier. You’ll be jumping into a dynamic real estate market in cities like Birmingham and Huntsville. Have a question or comment? Let us know below!
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