Finding the right North Carolina real estate school means you can pursue your new career with peace of mind. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment, but you don’t have all the time in the world. With so many schools, it can be hard to choose.
Don’t worry! We’re here to help. We’ve curated a list of the best NC real estate schools to suit all your needs. Whether it’s online or in-person, we made sure to examine all the options so that you can make your choice with confidence.
4 Best Real Estate Schools in North Carolina for 2022
| Our Top Picks | Pricing From | Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Best School for Extra Features: The CE Shop | $465 | Use TheClose30 at checkout for 30% off |
| Best Online-Livestream Hybrid: Kaplan | $449 | Use KAPRE5 at checkout for 5% off |
| Best for Class Options: Superior School of Real Estate | $479 | |
| Best for In-person Classes: Carolina School of Real Estate | $450 |
(North Carolina prelicensing package prices as of December 2021)
A Word About North Carolfina Real Estate Terminology
Every state uses its own real estate terminology, which can get a little confusing. We’ve down for you so you understand the various roles in North Carolina Real Estate.
In North Carolina, real estate agents or salespeople are referred to as Brokers
Where other states may use the term salesperson or agent, the state of North Carolina uses real estate broker. You won’t see information from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) regarding your license as an “agent” or “salesperson.” There are Provisional Brokers, Full Brokers, or Brokers-in-Charge in NC.
New real estate brokers start out as Provisional Brokers
When you get your real estate broker license in North Carolina, your license is under provisional status. It means that you work under the supervision of a broker-in-charge. To remove the provisional status, you need to complete a 90-hour post-licensing course. Once you’re done, you’ll get full broker status in NC.
Helpful Info to Know Before Enrolling in a NC Real Estate School
Your real estate career in North Carolina begins with a 75-hour prelicensing course. This is a requirement before you can apply for the North Carolina real estate exam.
All the schools on our list provide prelicensing packages with additional perks and options, but your real estate education doesn’t end there. Read on to learn what North Carolina Real Estate schools offer, and check out How to Get a North Carolina Real Estate License for more details on the process.
Prelicense Course
Your prelicense course covers everything you need to know to pass the North Carolina real estate license exam. The NC Real Estate Commission requires you to take a proctored final exam once you’ve finished your course that is separate from the state’s licensure exam.
Exam Prep
Your prelicense course will ensure you have a solid understanding of the real estate concepts you’ll need for a successful career. Sometimes, we need extra help when it comes time for the exam. The schools on our list provide exam prep options like flashcards, quizzes, and videos to make sure you feel prepared to take the license exam.
Continuing Education
Once you receive your North Carolina real estate license, you’ll officially be a provisional broker. Within your first 18 months, you’ll need to complete three post-licensing courses. The courses run at 30 hours each, so you’ll be looking at post-licensing requirements of 90 hours total. The schools on our list have you covered. Some of the schools offer post-licensing courses as part of the prelicensing package.
Now let’s review in detail our recommendations for the best North Carolina real estate schools for 2022 and beyond.
Best School for Extra Features: The CE Shop
The CE Shop is an excellent option for self-paced online real estate learning. Since 2005, the CE Shop has offered a variety of real estate education across all 50 states and D.C. They boast a high satisfaction rate from their students and provide post-licensing courses with their prelicense package.
Their packages include extra features such as free online proctoring for your prelicense exam and a pass guarantee. The CE Shop is so confident you’ll be prepared for your real estate license that if you fail the license exam, they will reimburse you for it.
The CE Shop Offers
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Professional development
The CE Shop Pros | The CE Shop Cons |
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The CE Shop Pricing
Prelicensing Packages: $536-$809
Exam prep: $45-$78
Continuing education: $49-$69 per individual course
The CE Shop has three packages for their prelicensing course for prospective North Carolina brokers.
- Standard ($536.25): This is a great one-stop shop course to get everything you need to learn, study, and pass the prelicense and license exams.
- Value ($566.25): This package is for prospective brokers who are looking for more information on building their career with business building courses.
- Premium ($809.25): If you’re thinking ahead, this package includes your 90 hours of post-licensing coursework.
Key Takeaways for The CE Shop
Best for: All online learners
Not for you if: You need more than six months to complete the course
The CE Shop is for you if you get excited by bonus features. If you’re interested in completing your real estate education online, but you’d still like some extra guidance, The CE Shop has what you need. Just keep in mind that you have six months from the start of your course to finish.
They understand that self-paced learning requires additional tools, so they include study guides and recommended study schedules. They also offer career resources and e-books written by real estate professionals, so you have more information for your career ahead.
Bottom line: Choose The CE Shop if you want to cover all your bases and get extra features to help you ace the license exam. With so many extra resources, they understand that everyone has a different learning style and offer options for everyone.
Best Online-Livestream Hybrid: Kaplan
Kaplan and its parent company have been leading education for over 80 years in the U.S. They are serious about quality courses and learning resources. Kaplan’s highest praise goes to their instructors, real estate experts, and educators across the country with decades of experience.
Kaplan may not have the flashiest online layout, but they provide thorough instruction and additional support. They also have a high pass rate on their real estate exams (in Texas, it’s as high as 76%!), so you can rest assured you’re prepared.
Kaplan Offers
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Professional development
Kaplan Pricing
Prelicensing packages: $449-$749
Exam prep: $99-$149
Post-licensing packages: $165-$799
Continuing education: $69-$133 per individual course
Kaplan separates its packages into online self-paced and live online packages, and every package increases in price by $100.
- Online Broker Package ($449): This is an online self-paced option that includes exam prep and free virtual exam proctoring.
- Live Online Broker Package ($549): This package has scheduled livestream classes and includes a physical copy of the textbook.
- Online Broker Career Launcher Package ($649): This package adds career resources like business and marketing development plans and eight weeks of personal coaching.
- Live Online Broker Career Launcher Package ($749): This plan follows the above plan but you get scheduled livestream classes and it includes a copy of the textbook.
Kaplan Pros | Kaplan Cons |
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Key Takeaways for Kaplan
Best for: Online learners who want scheduled livestream classes
Not for you if: You like a modern online user experience or want an in-person class
If you’re looking to take your real estate education online, Kaplan is for you, but you still want a live instructor. Kaplan offers livestream prelicensing courses so that you get the accountability of a scheduled class. Plus, their packages include live exam prep and interactive study groups. Kaplan knows that people want the option between self-paced and scheduled online learning, so they offer both. Their pricing is comparable to the best schools online, and they also provide a ton of extra features.
Bottom line: Kaplan is for you if you’re looking for a reputable school and you don’t care if an online platform is flashy. Kaplan’s also for you if you think you’ll succeed more with a live instructor, but still want the comfort of learning from home.
Best for Class Options: Superior School of Real Estate
Superior School of Real Estate has been providing real estate education since 2005. Their most significant advantage is the variety of classes they offer. They provide in-person, online self-paced, and virtual livestream classes. Since they were early adopters of the online learning model, their online setup is efficient and easy to use. Their content is well organized, and they offer a variety of instruction methods to meet your learning style.
Superior School of Real Estate Offers
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
Superior Real Estate School Pricing
Prelicensing packages: $479
Post-licensing packages: $269 per individual class
Continuing education: $75 per individual course
Superior Real Estate School offers the prelicensing course in three formats: online, livestream, and in-person, all at the same price.
- Online ($479): This package includes your course in an online, self-paced format.
- Livestream ($479): This package has options for scheduled virtual classes during the week or evenings.
- In-person ($479): Classes are held in-person during weekdays and weeknights.
Center for Real Estate Pros | Center for Real Estate Cons |
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Key Takeaways for Superior Real Estate School
Best for: Learners who prefer an in-person or livestream instructor
Not for you if: You’re looking for bonus features in a package, like career e-books
Superior Real Estate School’s best feature is its flexible class options. Even though they offer so many options, they don’t skimp on quality. They offer many options for their virtual livestream courses, so you have the accountability of a scheduled class. You can choose from in-person and livestream classes that run once a week or several times a week in the evenings so that you can choose how quickly you’d like to complete the course.
Bottom line: If you are looking for extra features that address your real estate career, give Superior Real Estate School a try. On top of the class and study aids, you’ll get extra resources to keep for the rest of your career.
Best for In-person Classes: Carolina School of Real Estate
Carolina School of Real Estate is the place to go for in-person classroom instruction. Their focus is simple: thorough instruction of content in an interactive classroom setting. That way, you get the opportunity to ask questions in the moment on topics you may need help with. Their instructors are experts with over 60 years of combined experience in real estate. You can take their courses at one of their three Winston-Salem locations or their Greensboro location.
Carolina School of Real Estate Offers
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
Carolina Real Estate School Pricing
Prelicensing packages: $450
Post-licensing packages: $650 for all three required classes
Continuing education: $55 per individual course
Carolina Real Estate School usually only offers in-person courses, but currently also holds classes over Zoom.
- Online or In-person ($450): Either format course costs the same and includes scheduled classes and course materials sent to you.
North Carolina Real Estate Institute Pros | North Carolina Real Estate Institute Cons |
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Key Takeaways for Carolina Real Estate School
Best for: Learners who work best in a traditional classroom
Not for you if: You want more online features
Carolina Real Estate School is an excellent choice if online learning isn’t for you and you prefer a classroom setting. They understand that learning takes time and offer classes taught in person. Sign up if you are at your best with a scheduled class and instructors you can talk to. Typically, in-person courses cost more than online self-paced programs, but Carolina Real Estate stays competitive and affordable.
Bottom line: If you’re most comfortable in a classroom learning from an in-person instructor, Carolina Real Estate School is for you. You’ll get the benefit of being able to ask questions in real time with an instructor who can tailor the content to the feedback of the class.
FAQs About Real Estate Schools in North Carolina
Now that you have all the details on our top picks of North Carolina Real Estate schools, you may still have questions. Check out the answers to our most asked questions.
Do I have to take the prelicensing course to get my real estate license in North Carolina?
If you have a degree in real estate, you can skip the 75-hour prelicensing course. In order to skip the prelicensing course, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or higher in real estate, brokerage, real estate finance, real estate development, or a law degree. Your degree must be from an accredited college or university.
How long does it take to get my North Carolina real estate license?
If you are a qualified applicant with your prelicense course completed, the process to apply and receive your real estate license is as little as 10 days. The time will vary depending on how long you take to complete your prelicense course, and whether you pass the license exam the first time.
Does North Carolina have post-licensing requirements?
In order to become a full status broker, newly licensed provisional brokers in North Carolina have to complete a 90-hour post-license course.
Can I get my North Carolina real estate license online?
You can complete all of the licensing steps online. You can choose an online school for your prelicense course. You will have to complete a proctored exam when you’re done with your prelicense course, but you can do that at home or at a location of your choice. Likewise, your background check and license exam can be completed online.
More Career Resources From The Close
We hope you can choose your real estate school with more confidence after reading our top picks. We wish you the best in your real estate schooling in North Carolina. When you’ve started as a real estate broker, visit us for more tips and advice for your real estate career.
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