California (CA) Realty Training scored 4.88 out of 5 in our list of the 6 Best Online Real Estate Courses in California 2024. This rating is based on 30-plus factors, including pricing, education provided, learning styles and formats, course features, help and support, customer reviews, and expert evaluation. The reviews for CA Realty Training, coupled with my analysis, show that it is ideal for students who like to have access to both in-classroom and online course formats in preparation for passing the California real estate exam. Moreover, all of its licensing courses meet the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirements.
Pros
- No credit card is required for the free trial
- 90% pass rate for students who enroll in exam prep
- User-friendly student portal to access course materials in one central location
Cons
- Pass guarantee has limitations for full refund
- State exam application assistance is not offered for the individual prelicensing course package
- Payment plan only offered for live in-classroom training course plan
Who CA Realty Training Is Recommended For
- Ideal for students who want to stick to one school for all education needs
- The two-day intensive cram course is best for busy students who don’t have time for a full exam prep course
- Excellent for students who need in-person live courses to absorb the course materials
Who CA Realty Training Is Not Recommended For
- Not for budget-conscious students who would like a lower-cost online program
- Students who would like a hardcopy textbook included in the course purchase
- Not ideal for students who want to take longer than six months to complete the course
- Prelicensing: $75 to $399.99
- Continuing education: $59
- Broker prelicensing: $75 to $270
- Exam prep: $50 to $175
CA Realty Training Reviews: What Users Think
The CA Realty Training online reviews show that the presence of an instructor during in-classroom training was deemed crucial to students’ success in obtaining their licenses. Furthermore, the students appreciated the instructors’ ability to convey complex information in an easily understandable manner. Both in-person and virtual crash courses were available. In-person attendance was particularly beneficial, with students feeling fully engaged and getting the most out of the course.
- Google: 4.9 out of 5 rating based on 427 CA Realty Training reviews
- Agent Advice: 4.6 out of 5 rating based on 15 CA Realty Training reviews
- Yelp: 4.9 out of 5 rating based on 94 CA Realty Training reviews
Negative CA Realty Training online reviews emphasized the in-classroom training program. Some students not located near a training location had to travel long distances to receive the same information they could have learned on their own or through the video course. Additionally, some students mentioned that the course only covered some of the material on the test. If you are looking for a course that focuses on test material, consider Colibri Real Estate. It offers live webinars that concentrate on helping students pass the final exam.
Why Should You Trust Us & Would We Use CA Realty Training?
Fit Small Business has a strict policy of editorial independence. Whenever we say a product or service is great (or not great), it is based on thorough evaluation and hands-on experience. With this, I have personally evaluated dozens of online real estate schools, platforms, and systems to arrive at the best possible recommendations.
My CA Realty Training review solidified that it’s a great real estate education program for California. Although it does offer in-classroom sessions, students do not need to participate or purchase that plan if they’re confident in their self-learning and studying abilities. The learning dashboard is a centralized location where students can log in and find all the resources—e-books, flashcards, and quizzes—all in one spot.
The State of California requires real estate students to spend at least 54 days in a real estate program before taking the final state exam. Given these restrictions, I wish the CA Realty Training courses gave students much longer access. For an affordable program with more extended access, consider The CE Shop’s prelicensing program for 12 months of access.
Types of Education Available at CA Realty Training
CA Realty Training offers courses for all stages of real estate education required in California. Additionally, the school provides prelicensing and exam prep courses for aspiring real estate agents, and broker licensing and continuing education (CE) courses for experienced agents who want to grow their careers. Within each course, CA Realty Training offers course formats that allow students to choose from online, video, and live in-classroom training.
The prelicensing program offered by CA Realty Training is designed with flexibility, catering to aspiring real estate agents’ diverse learning preferences and schedules. With three distinct course packages, students can opt for self-paced learning through online-only or online and video packages. For those who prefer a more traditional learning environment, an option combines in-classroom training with an online course.
Students can further tailor their prelicensing education with individual course options. However, the prelicensing package is a more cost-effective choice for those just beginning their real estate education. When taken individually, the cost of the three required courses exceeds the price of the comprehensive online prelicensing package. This package includes access to a student dashboard, practice tests, quizzes, and e-books, with the option to upgrade to add video and in-classroom training later.
Individual Courses
Pricing: $75 per course
Features/Inclusions:
- Access to the student dashboard
- Practice test
- Practice quizzes
- E-books
Online Only
Pricing: $154.99
Features/Inclusions:
- Access to the student dashboard
- Practice test
- Practice quizzes
- E-books
- State exam prep
- Digital flashcards
- Unlimited practice exams
- Access to the online program for six months
Online + Videos
Pricing: $284.98
Features/Inclusions:
- Access to the student dashboard
- Practice test
- Practice quizzes
- E-books
- State exam prep
- Digital flashcards
- Unlimited practice exams
- Access to the online program for six months
- Supplemental video training
Online + In-classroom Training
Pricing: $399.99
Features/Inclusions:
- Access to the student dashboard
- Over 1,500 practice test questions
- E-books
- State exam prep
- Digital flashcards
- Unlimited practice exams
- Practice exams are broken down by category
- Access to an online program for six months
- Three-month in-classroom training program
The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires real estate agents to complete 45 hours of continuing education every four years to maintain their licenses. CA Realty Training CE courses allow students to complete them in six days. Whether an agent renews for the first time or subsequent renewals will determine which courses must be completed.
Each package provides the required education courses, e-books, quizzes, and course exams. Students will have access to continuing education courses for one year. All CE renewal packages are offered for a flat rate of $59.
To obtain a broker’s license, real estate agents must have at least two years of full-time real estate experience within the last five years. The minimum time to complete the broker prelicensing course is 90 days. Agents must complete five courses approved by the DRE, covering topics such as real estate law, finance, and property management if they were previously licensed in California.
However, these five courses must differ from those completed when receiving your CA Salesperson License. Agents can select from individual courses or purchase a package of five courses at CA Realty Training. Each course or broker license package comes with mandatory chapter quizzes and two attempts at the final exam. Students also have the option to upgrade to add on recorded course videos and live in-classroom training, which provides additional learning support and flexibility for busy professionals.
Plans | Individual Courses | Broker License |
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Features |
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Pricing | $75 | $270 |
CA Realty Training offers three exam prep options for students who want to add videos and live webinar training. Each package gives students access for six months from the date of purchase.
The online-only, self-paced course is offered as a base for each plan, and students can add video recordings of the in-classroom course or the in-person course itself. The in-person crash course gives students test-taking strategies from experienced agents and allows students to interact and gain insight from agents who have previously passed the state exam.
Plans | State Exam Prep | Video Crash Course + State Exam Prep | Live In-person Crash Course + State Exam Prep |
---|---|---|---|
Features |
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Pricing | $50 | $150 | $175 |
CA Realty Training Alternatives
If CA Realty Training doesn’t seem the best fit for you, there are alternatives to consider. Compare CA Realty Training to a few other schools offering in-person and online real estate education:
School | ||||
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Best For | Interactive and technology-driven education | Customer support accessibility | Interactive learning platform with easy-to-use navigation | User-friendly and mobile-optimized learning |
Key Features |
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Starting Price | $19.95 | $9 | $9 | $24 |
Learn More | ||||
Reviews |
CA Realty Training Pricing & Plans
CA Realty Training obtained a moderate score for its affordable pricing for prelicensing, broker licensing, and exam prep courses. However, its CE courses are quite pricey. Each real estate education course at CA Realty Training has tiered packages that accommodate different learning styles.
The courses, which begin at $50, satisfy all real estate career development stages—from prelicensing and exam prep to broker licensing and continuing education. All courses have a self-paced online offering with access to course quizzes and e-books. In addition, the licensing courses provide students with access to a student portal with real estate flashcards, online trainer support, and job assistance.
Plans | Prelicensing | Broker Licensing | Continuing Education (First & Subsequent Renewals) | Exam Prep |
---|---|---|---|---|
Who Plan Is Best For | Agents who would like both in-classroom and online training | Agents who want to obtain their course certificates in as little as 90 days | Experienced agents who would like to quickly complete their continuing ed requirement for license renewal | Students who want the option of adding on a two-day crash course to help them pass the state exam |
Price Range | $75 to 399.99 | $75 to $270 | $59 | $50 to $175 |
E-books | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Online Course | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Live Training | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
Flashcards | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
Online Trainer Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
Printable PowerPoint Slides | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
Job Assistance | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
General CA Realty Training Features
- Printable chapter PowerPoint slides
- State exam pass guarantee
- Printable flashcards
- Access to the CA Realty Training YouTube channel
- Payment plan for some course packages
CA Realty Training received a very high rating for its general features as it is a one-stop shop for any student interested in obtaining or furthering their real estate education. Students are provided with all the resources necessary to complete their course, retain the real estate topics, and pass the state exam. The pass guarantee allows students to receive a full or partial refund if they don’t pass on the first attempt.
Student dashboard for course access (Source: CA Realty Training)
The on-demand course feature allows busy students to complete licensing requirements independently. However, students who want to fully immerse themselves in completing the course can opt for live in-person training.
Advanced CA Realty Training Features
CA Realty Training garnered a lower rating as it lacks various advanced features like interactive study groups, one-on-one coaching and training, and a mobile app. However, the school provides robust key features to help students have a successful real estate education with CA Realty Training. Click on the tabs below to learn more:
- Provides a classroom experience
- Must still review state-mandated textbook material
- No elective course selection in live in-person and video training packages
Students can choose to have in-person training or the video course to add on to their classroom experience. The live in-person courses will cover one real estate topic per month and meet for the first three weeks of the month. During the last week of the month, students must review the online coursework through the student portal and complete the course’s final exam.
The in-person course will last a total of three months. For the video course, students will have access to 15 chapter videos for each course. The online video course will provide approximately 36 hours of video for each course. Like the in-person course, students will still need to review online coursework and complete the final course exams.
Video training course screenshot (Source: CA Realty Training)
However, the in-person and video courses do not allow students to choose an elective. They must complete the three preset courses, two of which the DRE requires. Those courses are real estate practice, real estate principles, and real estate finance. Students can start these courses in any order.
- Centralized location to access course resources
- Shows overall course completion rate
- Graphics illustrate course performance and scores
The student portal is the core of all licensing courses provided by CA Realty Training. It is the central location for accessing all course material, such as quizzes, practice tests, flashcards, and e-books. Within the portal, students can access a navigation pane for easy access to courses, live in-person training locations, exam prep, course certificates, and course resources.
Student portal walk-through (Source: CA Realty Training)
A prominent dashboard line graph outlines your course performance for each course you’re enrolled in, along with a graph showing overall course completion. The portal is set up with an achievement area that unlocks as you complete each task, like passing quizzes in a specific sequence. Also, the portal is where students can access helpful CA Realty Training videos and articles.
- Option of elective course selection for online-only packages
- Ideal for students needing to complete just one course to finalize their education
- Available for prelicensing or broker license education
The DRE requires students to complete the Real Estate Practice and Real Estate Principles courses as part of their real estate prelicensing education. In the online-only course prelicensing package, students can select a third elective of their choice. This elective is not offered for students in the in-classroom or video prelicensing plans.
Image of individual course selection (Source: CA Realty Training)
Additionally, if students have completed their required courses elsewhere, they can purchase an individual course to complete their education requirements. Individual courses are priced at a flat $75 per course, providing access to all the resources like quizzes, flashcards, and a final course exam.
- Try before you commit to a course package
- Three-day free trial
- Attend a free webinar session
Individuals who are curious about real estate education or want to test out CA Realty Training courses can access a three-day free trial. The trial gives students access to a mock state exam to simulate the test-taking experience and gauge an individual’s real estate knowledge.
Free trial course selection (Source: CA Realty Training)
Other resources provided with the free trial include a chapter of the e-book, a prerecorded video lecture, a chapter quiz, and a sample practice test. All these course materials can be completed online and are self-paced, so students can get a feel for what they would receive if they purchased a package. Students who don’t want to sign up for the free trial can access a free recording of an introductory real estate practice class.
- Partnership with Keller William and Coldwell Banker
- Immediate assistance once you pass the state exam
- Assistance with setting up interviews with partner brokerages
Agents must find a sponsoring California real estate broker to practice real estate after receiving a license. CA Realty Training assists with this process through its job placement program. The valuable partnerships that CA Realty Training has developed with top brokerages allow their students to find job placement shortly after completing the courses.
Job placement partnership FAQ (Source: CA Realty Training)
The benefit to having these connections available is that you don’t have to compete directly with other students who have completed courses elsewhere in order to obtain an interview at brokerages like Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker.
- Two-day intensive course
- Live in-person crash course available
- Two months of access to crash course videos
The CA Realty Training state exam prep course gives students access to unlimited practice exams and digital flashcards to review materials that will be on the state test. Students can upgrade to add video or live in-person exam crash courses for supplemental learning.
Screenshot of online video crash course (Source: CA Realty Training)
The crash course reviews items that will likely be on the state exam, reviews sample questions, and allows students to ask questions of instructors. The live in-classroom crash course is held over two days on the weekend but will still give students two months to access the crash course resources like PowerPoint slides and quizzes.
Ease of Use for CA Realty Training
Enrolling in any course with CA Realty Training is simple to complete, resulting in a perfect score in our review. When students are ready, they just need to click the enroll button at the upper right of the website and select the desired course they would like to complete. Once they choose the course, students will be directed to pick the format they want. They can choose between in-person, video, and online.
Available enrollment programs (Source: CA Realty Training)
After choosing the course format, students can select additional add-ons like textbooks or videos. The program total is clearly displayed at the bottom of the screen so students understand the final price of their selections. An informative video and detailed description are provided for every course so students are aware of the program they are enrolling in. Once sign-up is complete, students get immediate access to their student portal to access purchased courses and resources.
How We Evaluated CA Realty Training
In assessing CA Realty Training against other online real estate schools, I considered various critical factors. These included pricing, available courses, educational offerings covering pre- and post-licensing, exam preparation, and broker courses.
I also considered general features and learning styles, additional offerings like personalized coaching, mobile app availability, and pass guarantees. Help and support, which encompassed customer service, instructor assistance, customer feedback, and expert evaluations, also factored into our scores.
Here is a breakdown of our evaluation:
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is determined by the costs of prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, broker prelicensing courses, and exam preparation.
15% of Overall Score
The availability of each level of education for different stages of licensure. This would include pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
25% of Overall Score
It consists of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent as well as ease of course accessibility.
15% of Overall Score
Extended services beyond licensure, such as personalized coaching and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers a mobile app, pass or refund guarantees, and course extensions for its courses.
5% of Overall Score
We examined the convenience and availability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
10% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback, with particular attention to product reviews and the provider’s popularity, to certify the course’s user satisfaction.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers enable us to assess distinctive features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CA Realty Training courses are priced from $50 to $399.99, depending on the type of education, learning styles, and features you choose. For a quick overview of its pricing, here are the price ranges for each type of education:
- Prelicensing: $75 to $399.99
- Continuing education: $59
- Broker prelicensing: $75 to $270
- Exam prep: $50 to $175
To get a real estate license in California, you must meet all the state’s requirements and complete 135 hours of California DRE-approved coursework. You should also submit an exam application, get fingerprints and a background check, and pass the exam. Finally, pick a sponsoring brokerage and apply for your license to start your real estate career.
To pass the California real estate salesperson exam, you need a 70% score. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, and you will have three hours to complete it.
Bottom Line
CA Realty Training provides the resources necessary to help its students launch a successful real estate career. Whether you are a new agent or experienced, having the flexible learning styles offered by CA Realty Training, along with its pass guarantee, mitigates some of the risks of opting for more costly course packages. The provided state exam application assistance and job assistance help students start off their careers on the best footing.