From the shores of the Chesapeake Bay to the more than 120 National Historic Landmarks of Virginia lies a competitive real estate market waiting for fresh talent. There’s no time like the present to learn which Virginia real estate school is the best option for you. That’s where The Close comes in.
We evaluated the top Virginia real estate schools by taking into account course value, student support options, career development offerings, interactive course work, and more. Suitable for curious, experienced, and career-changing individuals alike, the following schools are well-equipped to help you complete the required 60 hours of prelicensing classes. Read on to learn more about which real estate school in Virginia boasts the most experienced instructors, thorough exam prep tools, and flexible learning formats.
6 Best Real Estate Schools in Virginia
| Our Top 6 Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: The CE Shop | ||
| Best for Exam Prep: Kaplan | ||
| Best for Career Building Support: Colibri Real Estate | ||
| Best for Engaging Content: Aceable Agent | ||
| Best for Instructor Support: Act Web Real Estate School | ||
| Best Budget Option: RealEstateU |
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Virginia Real Estate Governing Board:
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
Prelicensing Requirements:
60 hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
30 hours
Continuing Education Requirements:
16 hours, every two years
Between the 60 hours of prelicensing and 30 hours of post-licensing studies, you will cover a ton of topics throughout the real estate licensing process. When it comes time to renew your license, continuing education (CE) courses will go into further detail to ensure your knowledge is fresh and up to date. To get a better idea of what these required courses entail, jump to the helpful info section below.
How to Get a Virginia Real Estate License in 5 Easy Steps
Next, we will break down our selection of top schools for Virginia real estate students.
Best Overall Real Estate School in VA: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers:
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing ed
- Broker courses
New to real estate and looking for the best direction to go in as you start on a new career path? Lucky for you, The CE Shop offers the full real estate career package for its students. You can check off all of your Virginia real estate schooling requirements—with the added option of leveling up to a broker role—with the school’s vast range of courses. You’ll find their course content is kept up to date to meet industry standards and touches on real-world scenarios.
Because the content platform is designed for self-guided online study, we love that The CE Shop’s courses are interactive and engaging. The thorough lesson plans include quizzes and tests to ensure your success on the licensing exam, and past students found the platform to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
The CE Shop Review: Real Estate Courses & Test Prep
The CE Shop Pricing:
- Courses Only ($259): As the most basic tier, this option includes the standard 60-hour course, expert-written business e-books, downloadable career resources, digital flashcards, and a study schedule.
- Standard Package ($319): This option includes all of the above features plus the exam prep package for both the national and Virginia portions of the exam. Students also get The CE Shop’s pass guarantee at this price point.
- Value Package ($369): Catering to business-minded individuals, this tier includes all features of the previous two packages and adds on three courses to help you get your real estate business up and running.
- Premium Package ($505): The most comprehensive package from The CE Shop grants you access to all of the aforementioned features. It also includes the e-textbook, “Real Estate Basics and Beyond,” and covers the required 30-hour post-licensing course.
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Best Feature
We commend The CE Shop for offering such a thorough, engaging program for Virginia real estate students. While it is possible to complete the full 60-hour prelicensing course within two weeks, you actually have 12 months from the date of purchase before the course expires. That’s plenty of time to study and prepare for the exam. And if you opt for the Standard Package or higher, the included exam prep program covers both the national and state-specific portions to ensure your success.
Room to Improve
On the price spectrum, The CE Shop is a little expensive as you crawl up each price tier. With that in mind, we would love to see this school double down on its value by offering a live instruction option in the future.
Bottom Line
Consider all of your real estate career bases covered with The CE Shop. For a user-friendly, comprehensive online learning option, look no further.
Best Real Estate School in VA for Exam Prep: Kaplan
Kaplan offers:
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing ed
- Professional development courses
As you kick off your real estate education, you might be wondering, “Where can I go to feel the most prepared for the licensing exam?” Our answer to that is: Hightail it toward Kaplan. There’s no better school for comprehensive exam prep tools.
Kaplan has two packages that go above and beyond for students who want to prioritize preparing for their exams. We know firsthand that direct access to instructors is a valuable perk for online learners, which is why we love the live study group feature. In fact, past Kaplan students feel the same way. We scoured Trustpilot and found reviewers who noted that having direct access to Kaplan instructors in the study group allowed for questions, guidance, and the sharing of test-taking tips. Others mentioned how helpful the practice test platform, known as QBank, was in feeling exam-ready.
Kaplan Pricing:
- Real Estate Principles Course ($210): Students have access to the 60-hour real estate principles course online.
- Real Estate Principles and Exam Prep Package ($348): This mid-level package introduces prerecorded online video instruction in addition to the 60-hour principles online course. As a professional development feature, students can hop into weekly live webinars focused on real estate career tips and tools. The exam prep portion of this package includes the National and Virginia online video courses and access to the interactive study group.
- Career Launcher Package ($548): Prepare for a full-on real estate career with this package. It includes everything in the previous tier plus access to the QBank platform. But the standout feature of this package is the Real Estate Accelerator online video course and weekly live online group coaching.
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Kaplan Real Estate School Review (2024): Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons
Best Feature
We completely align with past Kaplan students in saying that its best feature is the range of exam prep materials. Students will be well-equipped to pass the licensing exam with the help of the QBank platform, interactive study group webinars, and exam prep online courses.
Room to Improve
Kaplan offers live instruction in certain states, but unfortunately Virginia is not one of them! Given its roster of experienced instructors, we would love to see the school introduce a live instruction option to VA students.
Bottom Line
Virtual test prep has never looked so good. Kaplan’s online video courses paired with live study groups and career mentorship will set the foundation for your real estate career success.
Best Real Estate School in VA for Career Building Support: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing ed
- Exam prep
Colibri Real Estate is a great option for students already thinking about the next steps of their licensing journey (in other words, exam prep and career building). No matter which package you choose—self-paced or livestream—you’ll be able to complete the 60-hour course, dive into a variety of exam prep materials, get learning support from Colibri instructors, and build your real estate career from the ground up with guidance from Buffini & Company’s coaching videos.
If the livestream learning option isn’t quite your speed, consider enrolling in one of the two self-paced course packages that offer live instructor Q&A sessions and exam prep webinars. Got building a business at the forefront of your mind? Look into Colibri’s Career Booster Pack option (part of the Ultimate Learning package).
Colibri Real Estate Pricing:
Self-paced course packages:
- The Basics ($203): Get the 60-hour prelicensing course, access to instructor support via email and phone, three study guides, and career coaching videos from Buffini & Company.
- Exam Preparation ($284): Adding on to The Basics, this package also includes CompuCram Exam Prep, which features simulated exams, flashcards, readiness assessments, and audio review guides.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($361): This package includes everything mentioned above, but adds on two interactive features: the Exam Crammer webinar series and live instructor Q&A sessions.
- Ultimate Learning ($484): You get all of the features included in the previous two packages plus a year of access to the Career Booster Pack to really hone your real estate skills. Consider this feature a valuable professional growth opportunity to set yourself up for career success.
Livestream course packages:
- Livestream Learning ($465): Study best on a set schedule? Complete your 60-hour prelicensing courses virtually led by local real estate instructors with this package. Here, you get the added bonus of learning in real time, with classmates and instructors to interact with. Start dates vary, but you can choose between full day sessions (Monday through Thursday) and evenings only (Tuesday and Thursdays). Exam prep materials and hard-copy textbooks included.
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Colibri Real Estate Review + Video Walk-through
Best Feature
While some real estate schools make you upgrade to get access to study materials, Colibri Real Estate offers this at every price point. The exam prep materials include simulated exams, flashcards, readiness assessments, and audio review guides. Not to mention, you’ll be set for career success with the built-in support of Buffini & Company’s coaching videos.
Room to Improve
Our only qualm with Colibri Real Estate is that their livestream learning option doesn’t allow for a lot of flexibility once you enroll. You’ll have to choose between full-time and part-time learning. Plus, you must complete the final exam within seven days of completing the livestream webinars.
Bottom Line
Colibri Real Estate’s prelicensing packages are a great starting foundation. We love the fact that exam prep and career building are built into their packages, plus you can choose between self-guided or live online instruction.
Readers of The Close can get 30% off tuition at Colibri using coupon code “TheClose30“.
Best Real Estate School in VA for Engaging Content: Aceable Agent
Aceable Agent offers:
- Prelicensing
- Professional development courses
Aceable Agent is no stranger to online education. In fact, that’s why they looped in the expertise of learning science professionals to build out a program that would keep students interested and motivated. Past students went so far as to call out the course platform, describing it as engaging, entertaining, interactive, and stimulating.
Although you won’t be able to take any post-licensing, continuing ed, or broker courses with Aceable, you’ll certainly kick off your real estate on a good note with your prelicensing education. As you complete the 60-hour course, keep an eye out for end-of-chapter level assessments to gauge your knowledge and further prep for the licensing exam with Aceable’s library of practice questions.
AceableAgent Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons (2024)
Aceable Agent Pricing:
- Basic ($135): This package includes the complete 60-hour course in the form of fully narrated lessons, instructor support via email, exam prep with 1,000 practice questions, and a mini course on finding the right sponsoring broker for you.
- Deluxe ($299): You get the full basic package plus state exam prep study aids (video, audio lessons, and digital flashcards), national and state questions (including 1,660-plus additional practice questions), and a real estate exam prep e-book.
- Premium ($449): Get everything mentioned in the previous two packages plus live tutoring, webinars, and Q&A sessions. Broken down, that equals one hour of private tutoring, five webinars every week (plus archive access), and weekly live Q&As with industry experts.
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Best Feature
Aceable Agent’s courses are truly built with self-paced online learners in mind. In our research, we found past students loved the engaging and stimulating course presentation. There’ll be no learning lulls when you’re studying with Aceable.
Room to Improve
Although Aceable offers professional development courses, they come at an additional cost (ranging between $26 and $99) and are geared toward those with more real estate experience. It would be great to see Aceable incorporate professional development coursework into the prelicensing packages.
Bottom Line
If you’re the learn-from-anywhere type who’s looking for interactive course content, downloadable study materials, and self-paced instruction, Aceable’s prelicensing course has it in spades.
Best Real Estate School in VA for Instructor Support: Act Web Real Estate School
Act Web Real Estate School offers:
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Exam prep
Have you ever taken a test, only to be left wondering why you got certain questions wrong? You’ll be in great hands with Act Web Real Estate School. Described in student reviews as encouraging, knowledgeable, and caring, this school’s instructor offers personalized experiences you won’t find at any national schools.
As a baseline offering, students have 24/7 access to their instructor via phone, email, and text. Next, there’s the personalized course practice exam review, where the instructor gives students insight on their answers and explains any missed questions. These reviews are offered either as an in-person session or over email. And finally, there’s the option for in-person exam prep—a feature provided at no extra cost for all the school’s prelicensing students—only available at the school’s office location in Reston, Virginia. If you’re not a student with Act Web Real Estate School, but you’re studying for the state exam—whether independently, with another school, or with the intention to apply for reciprocity in Virginia—you can enroll in an in-person, one-on-one exam prep study session for a flat fee of $150.
Act Web Real Estate School Pricing:
- Course Only ($280): Despite its name, this plan offers more than just the required 60-hour course, which is formatted with reading sections, practice questions, videos, and brief unit quizzes. You’ll also get 24/7 instructor access, practice Q&As, and the Super Summary PDF of exam topics.
- Plus Video Prep ($380): Get everything in the previous plan, plus online exam prep videos, a workbook PDF, and a pre/post-test performance tracker.
- Pro Track ($480): You’ll get everything listed in the previous plan plus access to QBank. QBank offers thousands of practice Q&As, practice exams for both national and state portions, answer explanations, and simulated full license exams.
- Accelerator Plan ($725): For those interested in career building, you get everything mentioned in the previous plans plus access to the Real Estate Accelerator online video course. This includes weekly access to experienced industry professionals for live online group coaching sessions, eight hours of online training, and free six-month subscriptions to a customer relationship management system and goal-tracking software.
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Licensing Test
Best Feature
As the only local Virginia real estate school on this list, we love the personal touches that come with having a singular, local, experienced instructor. Given that dedication to student success and the ability to pass—and understand every detail of—the exam, it comes as no surprise that former students rave about their instructor and his thoughtful feedback.
Room to Improve
Because Act Web Real Estate School’s courses are self-paced and expire six months after enrollment, you’ll need to move with purpose. We would appreciate students having a bit more time to work through the course materials. Extensions are available, but come at an extra cost.
Bottom Line
If you want to support—and be supported by—a local real estate school, Act Web Real Estate School is an outstanding option.
Best Budget Choice Real Estate School in VA: RealEstateU
RealEstateU offers:
- Prelicensing
- State exam prep
RealEstateU is the ideal self-guided, on-a-budget option for real estate students. With a 12-month expiration on course materials, you should have enough time to complete the course as a part-time, full-time, or somewhere-in-between learner. As an added bonus, you have 30 days to try RealEstateU and, if you’re not satisfied with the course materials, you can request a refund. That guarantee also includes the VA state exam prep course, which costs an extra $79.
What we love about RealEstateU is that the course takes a different learning approach by combining audio lessons with infographics. If you’re a self-motivated, independent learner, you can’t go wrong with any of the package options. Past RealEstateU students praise this online program as easy to navigate and understand, note that the quizzes will help you figure out your trouble spots, and enjoy that the device-friendly platform allows students to learn from anywhere.
How to Study for the Real Estate Exam: Tips & Strategies
RealEstateU Pricing:
- Course Only ($99): This plan includes the required 60-hour course in an on-demand format.
- Course + Study Guide ($178): Complete the 60-hour on-demand course, plus gain access to the state exam study guide, including sample questions and practice exams.
- Course + Study Guide + E-textbook ($207): If you’re more of a visual learner, try this plan to get the full 60-hour course, study guide, and a printable e-textbook so you can further review course materials on the go.
(Virginia prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Best Feature
Not only do we love that this is a budget-friendly option, but we also appreciate the flexibility and independence RealEstateU offers. You can study on your own time on your preferred device in the setting that works best for you.
Room to Improve
At such a great price, we would love to see RealEstateU open the door to more course options. Imagine the possibilities of effortlessly flexible and affordable continuing ed or post-licensing courses.
Bottom Line
RealEstateU offers a great deal on required prelicensing courses. For self-motivated students who can keep themselves on track and study with minimal guidance, there’s no better option for flexible and affordable learning.
Helpful Info
Ready to kick off your real estate sales agent career in Virginia? You’re in the right place!
Keep reading to learn more about each stage of Virginia’s real estate licensing education and exam process.
Prelicensing Courses
The selection of DPOR-approved Virginia real estate schools on our list offer the required 60-hour prelicensing course that covers the principles and practices of real estate. Upon completion of the course and its proctored final exam, you will have all the national and state-specific knowledge needed to pass the Virginia real estate exam.
For a deeper dive into the licensing process, check out The Close’s step-by-step guide on how to become a real estate agent in Virginia.
Exam Preparation
Once you’ve completed the required 60 hours of education and passed your selected course’s proctored final exam, you will need to schedule your Virginia state real estate exam. The state exam consists of 120 questions, of which 80 are national and 40 are Virginia-specific. Note that to pass, you will need to score 70% or higher on the national section and 75% or higher on the state portion.
Exam prep materials typically include tools like flashcards, question banks, and video libraries to help you learn and retain the necessary information. All of the above schools include exam prep in at least some of their prelicensing packages, but you might be interested in finding additional self-guided exam prep courses as a means of supplementing your study efforts.
If exam preparedness is top-of-mind for you, consider checking out Kaplan, our pick for Virginia’s best real estate school for exam prep.
Post-licensing
Your professional development doesn’t end when you complete the 60-hour prelicensing course. Virginia requires all newly licensed real estate salespersons to complete a 30-hour post-licensing curriculum within one calendar year of initial licensure.
The post-licensing courses will cover more in-depth topics like finance, escrow, fair housing and civil rights, ethics, agency law, contract writing, risk management, and more. Many of the selected real estate schools listed above offer post-licensing education packages to meet the state’s requirements. Note that you will need a 75% score on post-licensing exams to pass.
Continuing Education
Once you’re done with post-licensing, you’ll need to fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements on a regular basis to remain licensed. What does that look like for real estate professionals in Virginia? Every two years, you will complete 16 hours of CE. You can expect to spend eight hours covering ethics and standards of conduct, fair housing, legal updates and emerging trends, real estate agency, and real estate contracts. The remaining eight hours are dedicated to electives of your choosing, such as deeds, investment, and real estate taxes.
As you approach this portion of your real estate journey, we recommend the expertise of national schools like The CE Shop, Kaplan, and Colibri Real Estate.
Methodology: How We Selected the Best Real Estate Schools in VA
The Close is dedicated to making sure our Virginia readers choose the best possible real estate school for their needs. Our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors use a weighted rubric to score national and local state schools according to criteria such as:
Read more about The Close’s methodology here.
FAQs
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Virginia?
It takes about three to four months to get your real estate sales license in Virginia. State regulations mandate that you complete 60 hours of board-approved prelicensing education, which is where you’ll spend the majority of your time in this process. Note that some prelicensing courses can be completed in as few as two to four weeks, but most schools give students six to 12 months of access to courses.
After the course, you will register and study for the state licensing exam. Once you’ve taken and passed the exam, you can complete the application process. You’ll also need to allot time for choosing a brokerage and gathering and submitting paperwork to the licensing board.
How much do real estate sales agents earn in Virginia?
Ultimately, this number depends on the real estate agent’s location in the state, number of deals, and commission splits. According to The Close’s salary information database, the average real estate agent in Virginia makes $68,223 a year. Similarly, as of May 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the annual mean wage of real estate sales agents in Virginia was $69,510.
How many Realtors are there in Virginia?
As of September 30, 2023, Virginia had 36,919 total members in the National Association of Realtors. According to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, this is the largest professional trade association in the commonwealth.
How much do real estate classes cost in Virginia?
Depending on the course you select, the price will vary. Most real estate schools, both national and local, will offer packages at different price points. The Close’s selection of best real estate schools in Virginia range from $99 to $725. However, many of these schools offer promo codes to help discount your schooling investment.
Bringing It All Together
The Close is committed to providing thoughtful, detailed research to put you on the right path in your real estate career. We understand that undertaking a real estate education can be an overwhelming decision. With so many factors to consider, we hope this guide to the best real estate schools in Virginia helps you pinpoint the education that meets your needs.
Have additional thoughts or questions? Let us know in the comment section below!
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