Are you looking for real estate schools to launch your new career in the Bluegrass State? Your journey will start by completing a required 96-hour prelicensing course before sitting for the Kentucky real estate exam.
We’ve chosen our top picks of Kentucky real estate schools to suit every budget, schedule, learning style, and more. If you’re ready for a rewarding and flexible career in real estate, let’s jump in!
5 Best Kentucky Real Estate Schools for 2023
| Our Top Picks | Pricing From | Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate | $470 | TheClose25 - Save 25% |
| Best for Mobile Devices: The CE Shop | $479 | TheClose35- Save 35% |
| Best for Interactive Study: Kaplan | $399 | KAPRE5 - Save 5% |
| Best Budget School: Kentucky Real Estate College | $395 | |
| Best School for Continuing Education: Kentucky Realtor Institute | $679 |
(Kentucky prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Kentucky Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info
Kentucky Real Estate Governing Body:
Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC)
Prelicensing Requirements:
96 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
48 Hours Within the First Two Years
Continuing Education Requirements:
6 Hours Every Year + a Kentucky Core Course Every 4 Years
Before you start your 96-hour prelicensing course, we’ve collected some helpful information about the real estate programs you’ll encounter throughout your career. Since you’ll be returning to your real estate education time and time again, read on to find out what to expect from courses at all the stages of your new career.
Prelicensing Courses
Your prelicensing course is your first step to becoming a licensed real estate agent. In Kentucky, you’ll need to complete a proctored final exam as required by the Kentucky Real Estate Commission. The course exam is not your license exam.
Online real estate courses are most popular among prospective agents since they allow for a flexible schedule. You can also complete the course at your own pace and from the convenience of home, the office, or anywhere you have access to a mobile device. Our top school for mobile users, The CE Shop, works seamlessly across your laptop, tablet, and smartphone so you can chip away at your course wherever it’s convenient for you.
Exam Preparation
Once you’ve completed your prelicensing course and your course exam, it will be time to prepare for your license exam. Start by reviewing your course material, and if you feel you need more practice, consider an exam prep package from a real estate school.
Exam prep packages offer targeted support and practice so you can walk confidently into your license exam. They often include valuable tools like flashcards, study schedules, practice questions, and simulated exams. One of our favorite picks is Colibri Real Estate, since they offer a Live Exam Crammer Series, where you get access to live webinars to help you study.
Post-licensing Courses
You’ll need to complete a 48-hour post-licensing course within the first two years of getting your Kentucky real estate license. It’s common for agents to return to the school with which they completed their prelicensing course for their post-licensing classes if they enjoyed the school’s features.
Both The CE Shop and Colibri Real Estate offer post-licensing courses in their prelicensing packages, making them a one-stop shop for the first leg of your real estate career in Kentucky.
Continuing Education
Kentucky has two sets of continuing education (CE) requirements. Every year, you must complete six hours of continuing education courses. These CE hours must be completed by the end of the calendar year. Additionally, you must complete a 6-hour Kentucky Core Course every four years.
When it comes time to renew your license, we recommend Kaplan’s many continuing education package options. They make it convenient and easy to complete your CE hours, and offer the Kentucky Core Course so you can renew all in one place.
Now that you’re caught up on the programs available to you throughout your career, it’s time to check out our top picks of Kentucky real estate schools. Let’s take a look!
Best Overall Kentucky Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing Education
Colibri Real Estate tops our list because of their expertly designed courses and value-based package options. As an industry leader in the real estate education arena, Colibri Real Estate thinks of everything you’d need to complete your course as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Their online courses are all self-paced, but you’ll get the support of live instructors to help you at any point during your course.
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Colibri Real Estate Pricing
There are four comprehensive prelicensing packages from Colibri Real Estate, all of which are offered online at your own pace.
Colibri Real Estate Online Packages
- The Basics ($470): The Basics package includes your 96-hour prelicensing course, access to instructor support, and three real estate e-books.
- Exam Preparation ($533): On top of the features in the Basics package, enjoy an exam prep package that includes audio reviews of core topics and a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($659): This feature-filled package includes everything above plus your 48-hour post-licensing course, Q&A sessions with instructors, a real estate dictionary, and the Live Exam Crammer Series.
- Ultimate Learning Package ($754): You’ll get everything from the previous packages as well as a copy of the course textbook and a professional development membership from McKissock.
(Colibri Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Kentucky. Use promo code TheClose25 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: Colibri Real Estate provides the best balance of independent study and interactive support. Unlike other schools, they don’t only offer access to instructor help by phone and email but also create Q&A sessions, so students benefit from hearing commonly asked questions answered. Plus, their Live Exam Crammer Series takes exam prep to the next level with even more review of core concepts.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: It’s hard to find something we don’t like about the Colibri Real Estate offerings, especially since we find each of their package options fairly balanced with useful features at each level. If we could ask for more, it would be to include free exam proctoring for the course exam, which currently costs $18.
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t be disappointed in the Colibri Real Estate well-designed courses and easy-to-use online platform.
Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Mobile Devices: The CE Shop
The CE Shop Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Exam Prep
- Continuing Education
The CE Shop is another favorite choice among prospective real estate agents nationwide. Originally known for their extensive variety of continuing education courses, The CE Shop offers everything you need to start your career as a real estate agent in Kentucky. They also boast high student satisfaction rates and license exam pass rates that are higher than the state average.
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The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers four self-paced, online prelicensing packages compatible with all your mobile devices.
- Course Only ($479): This straightforward package includes your prelicensing course, as well as business e-books, digital flashcards, a real estate glossary, and a study schedule.
- Standard Package ($539): Enjoy all the features of the course-only package, and get Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop’s exam prep package full of practice questions, and a pass guarantee.
- Value Package ($589): You’ll get everything in the Standard Package, plus business-building courses designed specifically for new agents.
- Premium Package ($839): This package includes all the previous features, as well as your 48-hour post-licensing course and a printed copy of the textbook.
(The CE Shop prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
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 FEATURE: We’re most impressed by the high pass rates and ease of use across devices of The CE Shop. Being able to switch easily between your laptop at home and your cell phone while you are away means you can utilize any moment to get ahead and finish your course quickly. And boasting higher-than-average pass rates gives students more confidence about choosing The CE Shop as their real estate school.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Though The CE Shop offers plenty of helpful features to get you through your online course, you’ll need to work through it independently. They don’t offer extra interactive support like Q&A sessions or study sessions.
BOTTOM LINE: Choose The CE Shop if you’re looking for a seamless online learning experience across multiple devices.
SAVE 35% on The CE Shop courses using promo code TheClose35
Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Interactive Learning: Kaplan
Kaplan Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing Education
Kaplan has a reputation for quality education and a long track record for preparing students for standardized tests. So, they know how to ensure you walk away with a solid understanding and ace your license exam. They offer online self-paced course options in Kentucky, all with a variety of helpful features.
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Kaplan Pricing
Kaplan offers three online, self-paced prelicensing packages, starting with a basic package all the way to one that offers a variety of career resources.
- Kentucky Real Estate Principles ($399): This package includes your prelicensing course and access to an interactive study group to cover content in live webinars.
- Kentucky Real Estate Principles with Exam Prep ($429): Enjoy all the features of the previous package, plus get Kaplan’s national and state exam prep online courses.
- Kentucky Real Estate Principles Career Launcher Package ($629): This all-inclusive package has everything from the above packages as well as the Real Estate Acceleration Live Online Course with professional coaching aimed to help you launch your real estate career.
(Kaplan prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: The best Kaplan feature is access to a live interactive study group. They’re the only school on our list where interactive support is offered at the most basic package level. And since Kaplan has been providing quality real estate education and exam prep for years, we’re assuming you’ll only get the best from their interactive study group too.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Kaplan focuses on providing you with the course features they think matter most: quality courses, exam prep, and interactive methods to ensure you understand the course effectively. As a result, they don’t add extra features like printed copies of textbooks or a pass guarantee.
BOTTOM LINE: Kaplan is a great choice for anyone looking for interactive and live components to their course.
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Best Budget Kentucky Real Estate School: Kentucky Real Estate College
Kentucky Real Estate College offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing Education
- Broker Prelicensing
Kentucky Real Estate College made our list because they squeeze in the most affordable price on average across all stages of your real estate education. Plus, they’re one of two schools on our list that offer broker prelicensing courses in Kentucky, should you want to make a change to becoming a managing broker in the future.
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Kentucky Real Estate College Pricing
Kentucky Real Estate College offers one feature-rich prelicensing package for prospective agents in Kentucky.
- Kentucky All Inclusive Package ($395): This package includes your 96-hour prelicensing course, instructor support, practice exams, quizzes, and a math-specific module.
(Kentucky Real Estate College prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: While other schools may offer comparably priced packages, the Kentucky Real Estate College package stands firm at its low cost while including all the features you may need. Often, schools offer only your course at their lowest price, but Kentucky Real Estate College includes exam prep, instructor support, and even a math class.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Some people may not like that Kentucky Real Estate College only offers one package, since it limits their options. It would be great to see them offer add-ons, so they can keep their signature option but allow for extra features to be added.
BOTTOM LINE: Kentucky Real Estate College is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to have to choose between a variety of package options and wants to get started right away.
Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Continuing Education: Kentucky Realtor Institute
Kentucky Realtor Institute Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Post-licensing
- Broker Prelicensing
- Continuing Education
Kentucky Realtor Institute is a dependable local institution that offers comprehensive real estate education across your entire career. You’ll get a deeper understanding of Kentucky real estate, law, and the industry from local experts and professionals with decades of experience. Kentucky Realtor Institute holds itself to a high standard when it comes to delivering quality education that will leave you with lifelong knowledge.
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Kentucky Realtor Institute Pricing
Kentucky Realtor Institute offers the Kentucky 96-hour prelicensing course in two parts (Part A and B) in three package options.
- The Silver Study Package ($679): This online package includes your course split into Part A: Modern Real Estate Practices (60 hours) and Part B: Kentucky License Law (36 hours), with your proctored exam and quizzes included. You’ll also complete a course project to help you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts.
- The Gold Study Package ($749): You’ll get everything from the Silver Study package plus a copy of the textbook, a study guide, and a copy of the Kentucky Realtor Institute License Law Manual.
- The Platinum Study Package ($849): This offers all of the previous packages’ features plus exam prep materials that include thousands of practice questions, videos, audio lessons, flashcards, live online webinars, and an e-book.
(Kentucky Realtor Institute prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: Kentucky Realtor Institute leaves no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring you know the ins and outs of local real estate. Plus, their continuing education course options are by far the most extensive, so you can enjoy the quality of their courses without the high price tag of some of their other program options.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: You’ll need to invest in the priciest package from Kentucky Realtor Institute to get exam prep, unlike other schools. Although their exam prep package is one of the most comprehensive, you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth the cost for you in the long run.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for lifelong learning from a reputable local school, then Kentucky Realtor Institute is for you.
Kentucky Real Estate Schools FAQs
Have more questions? Scroll down for answers to the most frequently asked questions about getting a real estate license and choosing a real estate school in Kentucky. Don’t forget to add your own question to the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!
How do I get a real estate license in Kentucky?
You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED in order to obtain a real estate license in the state of Kentucky. After that, you’ll enroll in a 96-hour prelicensing course and sit for the state license exam. After passing the Kentucky real estate license exam, you must complete a background check. Before you know it, you’ll be applying for your Kentucky salesperson license.
How much does a Kentucky real estate license cost?
In Kentucky, getting a real estate license costs roughly $750. Your prelicensing course makes up about half the cost of getting your license, and prices will vary depending on your course package.
Besides your course, there are a few one-time administrative fees, such as for your license exam ($100), background check ($18), and license application ($130).
How much does a real estate agent in Kentucky earn?
According to Indeed.com, the average real estate sales agents in Kentucky made $82,295 in 2022. Remember that, as a commission-based career, there’s virtually no limit to your income as a real estate agent. While newer agents may earn less in the first years of their career, agents who bring more experience to the job can make more.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Kentucky?
It usually takes prospective agents two to four months to get their real estate license in Kentucky. Most of the time spent getting your license will be in your 96-hour prelicensing course. If you enroll in a scheduled full-time course, you can usually complete your classes pretty quickly.
You might take longer if you decide to work online at your own pace. Self-paced courses, on the other hand, provide you the freedom to fit learning into your busy schedule at work and home. You’ll have to decide how to choose the course that works best for you.
How many Realtors are there in Kentucky?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ November 2022 data, there are 13,276 Realtors in Kentucky. This is a very slight increase from the previous month, but a 3.23% increase from this time last year.
What’s the average home price in Kentucky?
According to Zillow, home values in Kentucky rose more than 13% in 2022, reaching $206,517. Home values in a larger city, like Lexington, have risen even more, 14.5%, to $283,927.
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Bringing It All Together
We hope our handy guide made choosing a Kentucky real estate school a walk in the park. At The Close, we focus on breaking down tips and advice from experts into actionable steps that you can take at any stage of your career. Have any additional thoughts or questions? Leave us a comment below!
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