Virginia is for lovers, and if you love real estate, you may be considering getting licensed. Whether you picture yourself showing historic Richmond homes, finding buyers a place near the Blue Ridge Mountains, or handing over keys in Northern Virginia, your first stop is real estate school. The right program can make learning contracts, agency, and real estate law feel much more manageable.
I earned my real estate license through an online school, so I know how much the learning experience matters. For this guide, I compared five Virginia real estate schools based on course quality, flexibility, instructor support, exam preparation, and value. Below, you’ll find my recommendations, honest advice about who each school suits, and helpful information to consider before enrolling.
| School | Best for |
|---|---|
| Kaplan | Exam preparation |
| Moseley Real Estate Schools | Local instruction and networking |
| AceableAgent | Mobile learning |
| Colibri Real Estate | Guided independent study |
| The CE Shop | Flexible self-paced learning |
Why you can trust The Close
As a licensed real estate agent who completed an online licensing program, I understand that choosing a school involves more than comparing course descriptions. You need a program you can realistically finish, support when something doesn’t make sense, and enough practice to feel prepared.
For this guide, I combined that experience with research into each school’s Virginia courses and published policies. The Close’s editorial standards guide my recommendations, with an emphasis on clear information, practical advice, and explaining each school’s strengths and limitations.
- The Close’s top picks for Virginia real estate schools
- Kaplan: Best for exam preparation
- Moseley Real Estate Schools: Best for local instruction and networking
- AceableAgent: Best for mobile learning
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for guided independent study
- The CE Shop: Best for flexible self-paced learning
- Helpful info
- Plan for education after getting licensed
- Methodology
- Bringing it all together
The Close’s top picks for Virginia real estate schools
| School | The Close score | Promo codes | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | 4.6 | KAPRE5 - Save 5% | Visit Kaplan |
| Moseley Real Estate Schools | 4.5 | —- | Visit Moseley Real Estate Schools |
| AceableAgent | 4.1 | Click our Aceable Agent link - Save 25% | Visit AceableAgent |
| Colibri Real Estate | 4.0 | TheClose40 - Save 40% | Visit Colibri Real Estate |
| The CE Shop | 3.9 | TheClose35 - Save 35% | Visit The CE Shop |
Kaplan: Best for exam preparation
My expert opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan is my pick for students who want to feel extremely prepared before scheduling their licensing exam. When I was getting licensed, finishing the coursework and feeling ready for the test were two different things. Look for a school that helps you identify what you are misunderstanding and gives you a way to work through it. Kaplan’s combination of practice tools and live study support in qualifying packages makes it a strong first choice for that approach.
I also like its attention to what happens after you pass. Getting licensed is exciting, but the first conversation with a potential client can quickly remind you how much you still have to learn. My recommendation would be to use the study support actively: ask questions, review missed answers, and connect the material to situations you could encounter with buyers and sellers. Students who participate are likely to get more out of the experience than those who simply work toward a certificate of completion.
Kaplan cost
| Virginia prelicensing option | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Principles course | $210 |
| VA Exam Prep Package | $299 |
| VA Career Launcher | $599 |
Standout features
- Live Online Learning Hub: Qualifying Virginia packages include instructor-led sessions that reinforce concepts and provide opportunities to ask questions.
- Targeted exam practice: Virginia exam-prep options include practice questions covering state and national material. Its QBanks also include an AI tutor for explanations.
- Career development: The Career Launcher option adds training focused on moving from licensing into business building.
Moseley Real Estate Schools: Best for local instruction and networking
My expert opinion on Moseley Real Estate Schools
Moseley appeals to me because real estate becomes easier to understand when you can connect the material to your own market. Learning a definition is one thing; hearing an experienced local agent explain how it affects a transaction helps it stick. For someone who wants that connection, the school's local trainers and opportunities for live discussion feel different from studying entirely alone.
I would also consider it for students who want to start meeting people in the industry while getting licensed. Those early conversations can help you understand brokerage expectations and decide what kind of support you’ll need as a new agent. Just choose your format carefully. The live training supplements the required self-paced coursework, so you’ll still ned to make room for independent study between sessions.
Moseley Real Estate Schools cost
| Virginia prelicensing option | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Online+ | $296 |
| LiveClass+ | $496 |
Standout features
- Local live training: LiveClass+ adds trainer-led discussions, exam preparation, and career guidance in person or over Zoom.
- Exam prep included: Licensing packages include Virginia-specific questions, explanations, and unlimited practice exam attempts.
- Longer study window: Students receive a 12-month enrollment period, with paid extensions available.
AceableAgent: Best for mobile learning
My expert opinion on AceableAgent
AceableAgent makes sense for students whose available study time comes in small pockets throughout the day. I remember how valuable flexibility was when I earned my license, but flexibility only helps if picking up a lesson is easy. Its dedicated app and mix of learning activities make it a strong choice for someone who wants to keep studying without always opening a laptop.
My advice is to use that convenience to build a routine, rather than squeezing every lesson into distracted moments. Contracts, agency, and real estate math deserve your full attention. I would save the more demanding topics for a quiet study session and use shorter breaks for review. That balance can make mobile learning useful without allowing convenience to get in the way of understanding the material.
AceableAgent cost
| Virginia prelicensing option | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Basic | $149 |
| Deluxe | $239 |
| Premium | $349 |
Standout features
- Dedicated mobile app: Students can move between desktop and mobile study while keeping their progress.
- Varied lesson content: Interactive activities, videos, and audio narration offer alternatives to reading every lesson.
- Personalized study tools: Deluxe and Premium add AI assistance and targeted practice.
Colibri Real Estate: Best for guided independent study
My expert opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri is a good fit for students who prefer to work independently but want help available when they hit a difficult topic. From earning my own license, I know getting stuck can turn a productive study session into an evening of frustration. Instructor support and tools that explain the material give students more ways to keep moving without brushing past something they don’t understand.
I would be thoughtful about how much support you’ll actually use. Some students are comfortable reading, reviewing, and practicing on their own. Others need a conversation before a concept clicks. Choose based on that honest self-assessment. The most useful learning experience encourages you to ask questions and understand why an answer is correct, especially when the topic will eventually affect a client’s decisions.
Colibri Real Estate cost
| Virginia prelicensing option | Listed price |
|---|---|
| The Basics | $239 |
| Exam Preparation | $339 |
| Exam Preparation Plus | $409 |
| Ultimate Learning | $519 |
Standout features
- Instructor assistance: Virginia prelicensing includes access to support from course instructors.
- Audio and AI support: Narrated content and Rubi AI tutor provide additional ways to review and clarify concepts.
- Career resources: Ultimate Learning includes a Career Booster Pack for the transition into real estate work.
The CE Shop: Best for flexible self-paced learning
My expert opinion on The CE Shop
The CE Shop suits students who want control over their schedule and feel comfortable managing their own progress. That can be particularly helpful when you’re working another job or fitting school around family responsibilities. I appreciate an online course that makes it easy to see what comes next, return to a topic, and keep working without arranging your week around class times.
The trade-off is accountability. When I studied online, I had to treat learning time like an appointment rather than something I would get to eventually. I would recommend the same approach here: set manageable weekly goals and review the topics you cannot explain without notes. Students who can maintain that routine may find this a comfortable way to prepare for a career change.
The CE Shop cost
| Virginia prelicensing option | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Course Only | $239 |
| Standard | $339 |
| Value | $415 |
| Premium | $599 |
Standout features
- Built-in study resources: Packages include digital flashcards, a glossary, downloadable materials, and a study schedule.
- Exam Prep Edge: Standard and higher packages add assessments and practice for the national and Virginia exam portions.
- Education beyond the exam: Higher packages include professional development, and Premium includes Virginia post-licensing coursework.
Helpful info
Make sure you’re buying the right course
Virginia’s salesperson prelicensing education requires a board-approved course of at least 60 hours. An exam-prep product is extra study support and does not replace that required education. Before purchasing, confirm the course is intended for a new Virginia salesperson, not an existing agent renewing a license.
Compare the complete learning experience
A lower starting price can be appealing, but consider what you’ll need to finish comfortably. Look at instructor access, exam practice, course expiration, and any separate charges for textbooks, extensions, or proctoring. I would rather choose a manageable program at the outset than discover halfway through that I need a different format.
Live training and required coursework can be different
A school may advertise webinars or classroom sessions while delivering the required licensing course through independent online work. Moseley’s live training, for example, supplements its self-paced course. Kaplan and Colibri also offer live study support in qualifying packages. Ask what portion of the learning experience happens live before choosing a program for that reason.
Plan for education after getting licensed
A new Virginia salesperson must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within one year from the last day of the month in which their license was issued. This is separate from prelicensing, so keep it on your calendar after you pass the exam.
For subsequent salesperson renewals, Virginia requires 16 hours of continuing education. For licenses expiring on or after June 30, 2026, this includes 11 mandatory hours and five elective hours.
Start thinking about brokerage support
Your school prepares you for licensing, while your brokerage plays a major role in helping you learn the work. As an agent, I encourage new licensees to ask about mentorship, contract review, training, and help with their first transactions. A familiar brand name matters less than knowing who will answer when you have a client waiting for guidance.
Methodology
I evaluated these schools using The Close’s real estate education criteria, with particular attention to their Virginia offerings. My research covered published course descriptions, pricing, learning formats, support policies, and student feedback. I also considered how each program fits a student preparing to enter the business.
- Pricing and value: 20%
- Required coursework costs, package differences, included resources, and education available beyond prelicensing.
- Learning format and accessibility: 20%
- Self-paced study, live sessions, video, classroom options, mobile access, and device compatibility.
- Course features: 25%
- Instructor assistance, refund and pass policies, course access, extensions, exam preparation, coaching, career resources, AI tools, and group learning.
- Help and support: 10%
- Available support channels, published hours, and opportunities to get assistance.
- Customer rating: 10%
- Student feedback and provider reputation, while distinguishing national reviews from Virginia-specific experiences
- Expert score: 15%
- Practical usefulness, course organization, standout features, and the overall experience.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is the cheapest real estate course a good choice?
It can be, especially if you learn independently and only need the required coursework. However, compare what is included before enrolling. Buying exam prep, tutoring, or an extension separately can change the value of the lower-priced course.
Do I need exam prep in addition to prelicensing?
Exam prep is optional, but it can help you recognize weak areas and practice answering questions under test conditions. I would base the decision on how confidently you can explain the material and work through unfamiliar questions. Completing the course alone does not always mean you feel ready for the licensing exam.
Should I choose a school with local networking opportunities?
Local connections can be useful, especially if you’re still exploring brokerages or want to hear how experienced agents work in your area. They should complement a course that meets your learning needs. You can also begin making those connections through brokerage interviews and local industry events while studying independently.
Bringing it all together
Choosing a Virginia real estate school should feel like finding a program you can succeed in, rather than picking the longest feature list. Think about when you’ll study, how you learn difficult material, and what kind of help you’ll need along the way. From my experience earning a license online and working in real estate, the strongest choice is a school that helps you build understanding and good study habits you can carry into your career. Give yourself room to ask questions, prepare thoroughly, and start the business with a foundation you feel confident using.
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