Diving into a career in real estate is an excellent endeavor in Ohio, but you must get the right education. Online real estate schools allow you to take the courses from anywhere in the state, whether you’re in the bustling Columbus area or the scenic countryside. When exploring how to become a real estate agent in Ohio, students should select a school that offers flexibility and support for a successful real estate career. I’ve gathered the top 4 real estate schools in Ohio to help you get started.
- Fortune Academy: Best for mobile learning application
- Hondros College: Best for broker prelicensing courses
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for live exam prep courses
- The CE Shop: Best for affordable continuing education
Want to learn more about the Ohio licensing process before jumping into school details? I’ve got you covered! Click here to jump to the “How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio” section below.
The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio
| Our Top Picks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortune Academy: Best for mobile learning application | |||
| Hondros College: Best for broker prelicensing courses | |||
| Colibri Real Estate: Best for live exam prep courses | |||
| The CE Shop: Best for affordable continuing education |
Best for Mobile Learning Application: Fortune Academy
My Expert Opinion on Fortune Academy
With the world moving so fast, Fortune Academy students can access courses on the go with a mobile application. This is especially helpful if a student juggles their educational and professional needs. Ohio students can study anywhere or complete assignments using their mobile app anytime. It’s intuitive and keeps you connected with the coursework without sacrificing the quality of the learning experience.
💡Room for Improvement: One addition that may be made is offering specific real estate license classes for exam prep to better prepare the students for their exams for licensure.
Fortune Academy Cost
Fortune Academy provides online courses for real estate and offers a range of formats for students who need flexibility and/or mobility. Below is a table detailing the real estate license Ohio cost and courses.
| Type of Education | ||
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| Prelicensing |
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| Post-licensing |
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| Continuing education |
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Best for Broker Prelicensing Courses: Hondros College
My Expert Opinion on Hondros College
Hondros College is an Ohio real estate school ideal for aspiring real estate brokers because of its solid broker prelicensing course offering. The detailed curriculum they put together will get you through passing the state exam and prepare you for your career as a real estate broker. With in-depth material, experienced instructors, and an emphasis on practical knowledge, Hondros provides specialized education for brokers.
💡Room for Improvement: Hondros can also do better by changing with the times and embracing the AI tools that allow for better personalization of learning experiences and improved student outcomes.
Hondros College Cost
When deciding how to become a real estate agent in Ohio, select a school with the most variety of real estate courses in Ohio. Hondros College has programs that cater to both aspiring agents and those looking to advance their careers.
| Type of Education | ||
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| Prelicensing |
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| Post-licensing |
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| Continuing education |
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| Broker prelicensing |
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| Exam prep |
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Best for Live Exam Prep Courses: Colibri Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
One of the best Ohio real estate schools providing live exam prep courses is Colibri Real Estate. The school is ideal for those seeking real-time support while studying for Ohio real estate exams. It will provide you with a classroom-like experience where you can ask instructors questions and get feedback immediately. Their live exam prep courses are perfectly designed for those students who perform better in a more interactive and structured environment.
💡Room for Improvement: In-person classes would be a nice option for those students who learn better hands-on in the classroom.
Colibri Real Estate Cost
Many of the courses offered at Colibri for Ohio real estate agents are through a partnership with Hondros College. However, Colibri does offer its own exam prep materials.
| Type of Education | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing* |
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| Post-licensing* |
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| Continuing education* |
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| Exam prep |
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| *Offered through Hondros College | ||
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Best for Affordable Continuing Education: The CE Shop
My Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
The CE Shop is the most appropriate choice if you’re looking for continuing education (CE) on a budget. Whether it’s renewing your Ohio real estate license or learning something new, The CE Shop offers affordable CE courses without compromising on quality. It has a range of continuing education courses to help you meet Ohio’s licensing requirements while keeping abreast of the newest industry trends. Their pricing is competitive, and the online format is easy to complete at your own pace, making it an excellent choice for long-term professional development.
💡Room for Improvement: While great for continuing education, The CE Shop could extend better prelicensing courses at an affordable rate to attract new real estate students.
The CE Shop Cost
Although known for its continuing education courses, The CE Shop offers additional exam prep and prelicensing programs to help students obtain their Ohio real estate license.
| Type of Education | ||
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| Prelicensing |
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| Post-licensing |
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| Exam prep |
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Use Promo Code: TheClose35—Save 35%
Need to see more before making a decision? Check out our walkthrough video for The CE Shop below:
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio
| Step 1: Meet OH Requirements |
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| Step 2: Complete Prelicensing Courses |
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| Step 3: Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage |
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| Step 4: Get Fingerprints & Background Check |
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| Step 5: Apply for Your OH License |
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| Step 6: Take the Real Estate Exam |
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| Step 7: Start Your Real Estate Career |
How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio
In terms of our methodology at The Close, our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors created a weighted rubric that involves evaluating each school. Our experts have done hours of research to analyze dozens of real estate schools to determine the best for our readers. The features we explored are essential for students to become successful agents and brokers in the real estate industry.
Our detailed criteria for determining the best Ohio real estate school online included the following:
- Course Features (25%)
- This comprises items that assist agents and brokers in completing their education, like pass and refund guarantees, career and instructor support, coaching, training, interactive study groups, and course extensions.
- Value (20%)
- Pricing and availability of coursework are important factors to assess. This accounts for real estate school offerings in prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
- Learning Format & Accessibility (20%)
- Real estate professionals must consider the best format for their learning, which includes self-paced, on-demand video, livestream, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines the convenience for users.
- Expert Score (15%)
- The Close closely reviews each course for standout features, details, ease of use, and the value for money spent from a real estate expert’s perspective.
- Help & Support (10%)
- If students need additional support, knowing the customer service options through phone, email, live chat, and ticket system is necessary.
- Reputation (10%)
- This examines the reputation of each real estate school through the lens of current and past students, reviewing the customer reviews and popularity of each provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Ohio?
Obtaining a real estate license in Ohio takes about 2 to 6 months. The time will vary depending on your schedule and the speed at which you follow through on the steps involved. First, you’ll take 120 hours of state-approved prelicensing coursework, which can be done online or in the classroom. After you have completed the coursework, you will be taking the Ohio real estate exam, getting a background check, and applying to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Extra factors that might affect your timeline include time to schedule and pass the exam, plus any processing times to get your license application.
How many times can you take the real estate exam in Ohio?
There is no limitation on the number of attempts you could make for the real estate exam within one year from the time you completed your prelicensing education, though a separate charge would be paid for each retake. For this reason, many students feel it’s worth investing in additional courses in exam preparation that will help raise the chances of success should subsequent attempts be necessary.
How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Ohio?
The typical cost associated with becoming a real estate agent in Ohio ranges from $1,200 to $2,000. This includes the required 120 hours of prelicensing education one needs to take, which can range in price from $1000 to $2,000, depending on the school and if the classes are taken online or in a classroom. Other costs include the Ohio real estate exam fee, a license application fee, and background check fees that will cost up to $500. You might also want to invest in optional examination preparatory courses or study materials, which will add to the overall cost.
Your Take
Whether you are a busy professional who needs access to your coursework on your cell phone or an aspiring broker in search of advanced prelicensing education, the real estate schools of Ohio have got you covered. These schools offer a combination of affordability, comprehensive content, and convenience. Their courses are designed to allow you to succeed on your terms. The online schools focus not only on foundational knowledge for new agents, but also on continuing education for experienced professionals, making them very supportive of real estate careers at all levels.
What do you think is the most important thing to consider when choosing a school for your Ohio real estate license? Leave a comment!
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