Now is an exciting time to launch a flexible and rewarding career in the real estate industry in Florida. After all, the Sunshine State is home to some of the hottest markets in the country, such as Miami, Tampa, and Sarasota. And since your first step is taking a 63-hour prelicensing course, we’ve pinpointed the best real estate schools in Florida to help you prepare for the state exam.
With tons of schools to choose from, we focused on providers with the most flexible online learning options and evaluated them based on pricing, ease of use, package variety, career resources, quality of instruction, exam prep materials, and more. Let’s get started so you can find the right school for your situation.
6 Best Real Estate Schools in Florida for 2023
| Our Top 6 Picks | Pricing From | Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate | $139 | TheClose25 - Save 25% |
| Best for Mobile: Aceable Agent | $116 | Click our Aceable Agent link - Save 25% |
| Best for Continuing Education: The CE Shop | $139 | TheClose35 - Save 35% |
| Best for Livestream Exam Prep: Gold Coast Schools | $599 | |
| Best Instructor Access: Florida Real Estate School | $299 | Click our Florida Real Estate School link - Save 15% |
| Best on a Budget: RealEstateU | $69 | TheClose10 - Save $30 |
(Florida prelicensing package prices as of February 2023)
How I Came Up With This List
As a real estate licensed professional, I have had the chance to review a lot of real estate schools based on pricing, reputation, online interface, mobile-friendliness, and more. I’ve taken into account my actual experience with their websites and reviews from agents who have attended these schools. The programs, pass rates, and even the refund policies differ from school to school.
However, there are a few elements that are the same across the board, no matter which real estate school you choose. So let’s take a look at the universal factors before diving into my specific recommendations.
Florida Real Estate Governing Body:
Florida Real Estate Commission
Prelicensing Requirements:
63 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
45 Hours Within Two Years
Continuing Education Requirements:
14 Hours Every Two Years
Best Real Estate Schools in Florida: Helpful Info
All of the Florida real estate schools on our list offer the 63 hours of prelicensing classes required for you to take the Florida state licensing exam. It sounds like a lot of hours, but it’s in your best interest as you need to pass the state exam with a 75% or higher. Here are the types of real estate courses you can expect to take throughout your real estate career.
Best Real Estate Schools in Florida — Helpful Info
In the 63 hours of prelicensing education you’ll need to get your license, you’ll cover all the national and state-specific real estate topics.
Also, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of course formats. There are livestream classes you can take from the comfort of home at specific scheduled times. And then there are in-person courses that are perfect for anyone who prefers a traditional classroom setting. On top of those two options, most of the schools on our list boast flexible classes you can take anytime and anywhere. If you can’t commit to a scheduled class time, you’ll want to zero in on self-paced courses like those offered by Colibri Real Estate.
If you’re looking to find out more, check out our step-by-step guide on how to become a real estate agent in Florida.
Exam Preparation
You’ll learn a ton from your courses, but you might consider extra exam prep to feel confident taking your license exam. We recommend additional exam prep materials to make your study time more efficient. Exam prep packages offer helpful tools like flashcards, study schedules, and practice tests. You’ll find exam prep offered at most real estate schools in Florida. Consider the high-quality test prep resources included in the exam prep package offered by Gold Coast Schools, which includes practice tests.
Post-licensing
Within 24 months of receiving your license, you’ll also need to take 45 hours of post-licensing courses. Continuing education and professional development courses generally don’t count. We recommend checking out Florida Real Estate School’s post-license package, which includes live instructor support.
Continuing Education
After you’ve renewed your real estate license for the first time, you’ll be required to take 14 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to keep your Florida real estate license. You’ll need to renew your license every four years.
If you enjoy the course format of your prelicensing course, chances are you’ll like their continuing education courses too. Check out our top pick for continuing education, The CE Shop, which offers the largest variety of CE courses on our list.
Now that you understand how a Florida real estate school can help you get and stay licensed, let’s take a closer look at our choices for the best real estate schools in Florida.
Best Overall Real Estate School in Florida: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate is among the very best real estate schools in Florida thanks to its user-friendly interface, top-notch student support, and fantastic follow-up materials to help you launch your real estate business after you’ve passed your exam.
As a nationwide provider of affordable online real estate education, the company is one of the top-ranking schools in the industry. Affordability combined with fantastic features makes Colibri Real Estate our first choice for aspiring Florida agents.
Colibri Real Estate Pros | Colibri Real Estate Cons |
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Colibri Real Estate Pricing
Colibri Real Estate offers four value-packed prelicensing course packages for prospective Florida real estate school students looking to complete their 63 hours of study.
- The Basics ($139): This package, which includes your prelicense course and instructor support, is a perfect choice for a disciplined self-starter who just wants the essentials.
- Exam Preparation ($209): You’ll receive all the benefits of The Basics plus exam prep, a testing workbook, the “pass or don’t pay” guarantee, and cram video.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($319): Includes everything from the previous package plus 45 hours of post-licensing courses, live Q&A sessions with an instructor, and the Live Exam Crammer Series.
- Ultimate Learning Package ($439): In addition to the previous packages’ offerings, this includes Exam Preparation Plus, a printed textbook, and a 90-day boot camp to get you started in your career.
(Colibri Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of February 2023)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Florida. Use promo code TheClose25 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: Colibri Real Estate packages are the best overall value on our list. By purchasing one of their top-tier bundles, you’re off the hook and won’t have to purchase additional continuing education classes until you’re four years into your new career.
Colibri Real Estate is also known in the industry for expertly designed content. We love how the courses repeat essential information to make content easier to retain for the exam.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: We’re so impressed with Colibri Real Estate that it’s difficult to find too much wrong with the program. However, if you aren’t a self-motivated learner, you might have trouble getting through some of the drier material on your own.
Though Colibri Real Estate offers state-approved instructor support to help you through challenging material, you may consider taking a livestream course with Gold Coast Schools (which was recently acquired by Colibri) if you prefer a more interactive learning experience.
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t be disappointed with your package from Colibri Real Estate. The company offers high-quality online real estate courses in Florida and the ability to work at your own pace.
Best Real Estate School in Florida for Mobile: Aceable Agent
If you’ve got all the time in the world to complete coursework from your home computer, any of the providers on our list will offer a great experience. However, if you need to access the Florida real estate courses from a custom-designed app on your smartphone, we recommend Aceable Agent. You can also easily access courses from your tablet, laptop, or desktop.
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Aceable Agent Pricing
Aceable Agent offers three prelicensing packages for Florida students.
- Basic Florida Real Estate Course ($116): With this straightforward course, you’ll enjoy a completely self-paced learning experience, 63 hours of prelicensing classes, access to instructor support via email, and “lite” exam prep that includes practice exam questions.
- Deluxe Florida Real Estate Course ($229): You’ll get everything in the previous package plus access to 75 videos, 70 audio lessons, and deluxe exam prep materials.
- Premium Florida Real Estate Course ($329): Enjoy everything in the previous package plus an hour of private tutoring with a real estate pro, live webinars five times a week, and a livestream Q&A on Fridays.
(Aceable Agent prelicensing package price as of February 2023)
Click our Aceable Agent link to SAVE 25% on their prelicensing packages.
BEST FEATURE: Expect an amazing mobile experience, because it’s what Aceable Agent is designed to deliver. You’ll love being able to complete a section of the course while riding in the back of an Uber or waiting for your kid to finish piano lessons. You can even take unit exams on your mobile device.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Aceable Agent doesn’t offer continuing education, so once you get your license, you’ll need to find another Florida real estate school to complete your post-licensing hours. You might consider The CE Shop for this.
BOTTOM LINE: Aceable Agent features a fantastic mobile-first design for anyone looking to get a real estate license in Florida.
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? (+ Free Guide & Videos)
Best Real Estate School in Florida for Continuing Education: The CE Shop
The CE Shop is another major player in the real estate school space, getting its start in continuing education. Today, the company is known for providing high-quality real estate education for every part of your real estate career.
In Florida, The CE Shop offers loaded prelicensing packages that include exam prep and career resources. One option even includes the 45 hours of post-licensing education you’ll need to complete within two years of getting licensed. Plus, they offer a huge variety of continuing education courses to make renewing your license thereafter a snap.
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The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers four prelicensing course bundles for Florida real estate school students.
- Courses-only Package ($139): You’ll receive your prelicensing course, business e-books, career resources, and a study schedule.
- Standard Package ($199): Enjoy the features of the Courses-only package plus Exam Prep Edge to ensure you’re ready to pass the license exam.
- Value Package ($245): You’ll get everything from the Standard package plus business-building courses designed to help new agents.
- Premium Package ($369): Receive everything from the previous package plus a 45-hour post-licensing package.
(The CE Shop prelicensing package prices as of February 2023)
SAVE 35% at The CE Shop. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: One of The CE Shop’s best features is the inclusion of 45 hours of post-licensing classes in their premium package. Also, we have to shout out The CE Shop’s career resources that offer useful tips, such as finding your niche in real estate.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: You won’t find live instructor support at The CE Shop through Q&A sessions or webinars. If you think you’ll need additional instructor support to adequately prepare yourself for the Florida real estate exam, take a look at Florida Real Estate School or Gold Coast Schools.
BOTTOM LINE: Don’t hesitate to start your real estate education with The CE Shop, one of the most trusted names to take your real estate career to the next level. They are one of the only schools to offer a free trial, so you can see how you like working with their online tools.
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!
Best Real Estate School in Florida for Livestream Exam Prep: Gold Coast Schools
Since Gold Coast Schools opened in 1970, they have helped more than a million people get their Florida real estate licenses, so they must be doing something right. In 2022, Colibri Real Estate acquired Gold Coast Schools. This Florida real estate school has kept up with the times and currently offers online prelicensing courses in both English and Spanish.
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Gold Coast Schools Pricing
You have three livestream or classroom prelicensing packages to choose from with Gold Coast Schools.
- Gold Coast Essentials ($599): Includes the course material with a textbook, exam cram course, plus access to an exclusive career fair.
- Gold Coast Plus ($699): You’ll receive everything in the previous package plus live workshops, a state exam online simulator, and digital flashcards.
- Gold Coast Pro ($799): Includes everything in the previous package plus all of your continuing education requirements.
(Gold Coast School prelicensing package prices as of February 2023)
BEST FEATURE: We love Gold Coast Schools’ livestream options and Exam Cram weekends. Review exam material with an instructor and other students in these 2.5-day study sessions, plus you’ll get access to in-person classrooms in 17 locations throughout the state.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Gold Coast Schools is the perfect option for students who need to interact with others to learn, but it’ll cost you more for in-class and livestream options. Gold Coast Schools doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, so you won’t be reimbursed if you fail the state exam.
BOTTOM LINE: If you feel you could benefit from in-person learning and an intensive, livestreamed review session, try Gold Coast Schools. But since they were recently acquired by Colibri Real Estate, there may be changes ahead. We’ll keep an eye on it!
Best Real Estate School in Florida for Instructor Access: Florida Real Estate School
Florida Real Estate School offers self-paced video instruction based on the FRESH method (flexibility, reinforcement, engagement, support, and history). They’ve been offering real estate education since 2004 and focus on creating an efficient and enjoyable learning experience.
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Florida Real Estate School Pricing
Florida Real Estate School offers three prelicensing packages for prospective students to accommodate different budgets.
- Basic ($299): Includes fully narrated online materials with six months of access to the course.
- Value ($439): Includes everything in the previous package, but you’ll have a full year to complete your course of study, plus access to the state Exam Cram prep course and digital flashcards.
- Unlimited ($599): Students have two attempts to pass the end-of-course exam with the first two packages. With the unlimited package, you’ll get free, unlimited course access for as long as you need to pass the exam.
(Florida Real Estate School prelicensing package prices as of February 2023)
Click our Florida Real Estate School link to SAVE 15% on their prelicensing packages.
BEST FEATURE: We definitely appreciate the unlimited 24/7 instructor access that Florida Real Estate School offers. This unique feature is perfect for night owls, parents of small kids, and anyone working another job. Another commendable feature of Florida Real Estate School is that they offer a tuition reimbursement program to those who eventually join their partner brokerages.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Florida Real Estate School is more expensive than many of the other options on this list. However, they often run sales on their prelicensing courses. If affordability is crucial for you, opt instead for courses offered at RealEstateU.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for a local self-paced option, check out the FRESH approach offered by the Florida Real Estate School.
Best Real Estate School in Florida for Students on a Budget: RealEstateU
RealEstateU prides itself on providing expert education that’s affordable. It serves 14 states across the country, and hosts top real estate professionals and scholars to teach their material. RealEstateU believes that you can get great schooling on a budget.
Their course format is 100% online so you can learn from the comfort of home, and RealEstateU offers exam prep packages too. Their course format is simple, using audio lectures over slides and infographics to help you learn the material. RealEstateU skips extra features for quality content and a minimalist course structure.
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RealEstateU Pricing
RealEstateU has one prelicensing package that tackles everything you need to fulfill Florida’s real estate license requirements:
- Online Course Bundle ($69): This 63-hour bundle includes required courses delivered via audio lessons with transcripts, infographics, and quizzes.
(RealEstateU prelicensing package price as of February 2023)
Readers of The Close get special pricing at RealEstateU. Use coupon code “TheClose10” to save on the online course bundle (regularly $99) today!
BEST FEATURE: RealEstateU offers a solid package at the most affordable price on our list. The course doesn’t skimp on key features, either. Their chapters finish with quizzes you must pass with at least 70% to be able to gain access to further lessons, making sure you know your stuff before moving on. Similar to The CE Shop’s policy, RealEstateU offers a refund within 30 days of purchase, as long as you’re less than halfway through the course material.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: RealEstateU’s prelicensing course is an audio-recorded lesson with overlaid text, so you’re pretty much watching a PowerPoint for the length of the entire course. For people who prefer to see someone, a video lecture or livestream option would be better.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re not looking for flashy features, can study independently, and are looking for a good deal, RealEstateU is a great Florida real estate school option. If you’re more interested in a variety of online features or extra instructor support, you might want to check out Colibri Real Estate.
FAQs About Real Estate Schools in Florida
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about real estate schools in Florida with answers designed to help you choose which one is right for your needs.
Can I get my Florida real estate license online?
Yes, you can complete most of your Florida real estate license requirements online.
You’ll be able to choose an online real estate school to complete the 63-hour prelicensing course. You’ll also be able to schedule your license exam online and take the exam from home thanks to live proctor monitoring. However, you’ll have to get fingerprinted in person for your background check in order to obtain your license.
To learn more about the licensing process, read How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida in 5 Easy Steps.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Florida?
It costs about $450 to get your real estate license in Florida. Most entry-level packages for online Florida real estate schools are between $120 and $250. Then, you’ll need to pay several fees throughout the licensing process. Here are some of the fixed costs you’ll have to pay to get your license:
- State exam fee: $36.75
- License fee: $83.75
- Background check and fingerprinting fee: $54.55
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Florida?
It takes about three months to become a real estate agent in Florida.
You can complete classes in a week if you are willing to work nine hours a day. Gold Coast Schools has a seven-day session that will push you along if you think you’d struggle to get through the material on your own in that short amount of time.
You also need to study for, schedule, and take the exam. Then you’ll need to wait for the state licensing department to process your application and background check before you receive your license.
What is the best online school for real estate in Florida?
Colibri Real Estate is our top pick for online real estate schools in Florida. The professionally designed content makes learning easy, and the company offers test prep materials and professional development materials. Plus, the online real estate course is relatively inexpensive.
How difficult are Florida real estate courses?
The 63-hour prelicensing course required to qualify for the Florida real estate exam isn’t a walk in the park, but the coursework is very doable if you’re willing to put in the work and learn the material.
Remember, real estate agents are the shepherds for some of the most critical financial moments of their clients’ lives. They need to make sure they know the ins and outs of the business and are qualified to make transactions successful.
How many Realtors are there in Florida?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ January 2023 data, there are 218,906 Realtors in Florida. This is about a 4.19% increase from January 2022. Florida has the most agents in the country, followed closely by California.
How much do real estate agents make in Florida?
According to Indeed.com, a real estate agent in Florida can expect to make an average of $92,740 per year. Agents with 10 or more years of experience should make about $15,000 more. Miami, Tampa, and Orlando top the list of highest averages in the state.
What’s the average home price in Florida?
According to Zillow, the median home value is up a whopping 12% from January 2022, at $377,816. Miami values are even higher, rising more than 15% to reach $528,788 at the end of January 2023.
Real Estate Broker vs Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis
Bringing It All Together
Overall, it’s a great time to launch a career in real estate. We hope our expertise and research on the best real estate schools in Florida helped you choose one that’s right for you. At The Close, we’re here to help at every stage of your career.
Have thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!
