6 Best Online Real Estate Classes in Iowa 2023
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
The best schools in the Hawkeye State offer convenient and interactive education for experienced and aspiring agents and brokers. These Iowa real estate classes can be taken on any mobile device from the comfort of your home or office. We evaluated six options, comparing their course availability, features, pricing, and student support to find the best online real estate classes in Iowa that are the right fit for your needs.
- Best for interactive study groups: Kaplan
- Best for extensive instructor support: Colibri Real Estate
- Best for an exclusively online learning environment: The CE Shop
- Best for customizable continuing education (CE) with career resources: McKissock Learning
- Best for learning format variety: Center for Real Estate Excellence
- Best for affordable prelicensing salesperson education: QC School of Real Estate
Did you know?
Iowa requires 96 hours of prelicensing coursework, 36 hours of which must be live instruction. For continuing education, 12 out of 24 hours must be live as well. Keep this in mind when you are looking for and choosing your real estate provider.
Best Online Real Estate Classes in Iowa at a Glance
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Learning Formats | Pass Guarantee | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prelicensing: $369 CE: $29 Exam prep: $99 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat |
(Use Promo Code: Kapre5 for 5% off) | ||||
 | Prelicensing: $377 CE: $29 Exam prep: $115 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat |
(Use Promo Code: FSB25 for 25% off) | ||||
 | Prelicensing: $379 CE: $35 Exam prep: $79 |
| ✕ | Phone, email, and live chat |
(Use Promo Code FSB30 for 30% Off) | ||||
 | Prelicensing: $377 CE: $29 |
| ✕ | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $350 CE: $20 |
| ✕ | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $287.50 Exam prep: $27.50 |
| ✕ | Phone and email |
Things you need to know before enrolling for your Iowa real estate license education: Along with education requirements, there are additional steps to completing your real estate licensure. Check out our step-by-step guide to becoming a real estate agent in Iowa to help you get started.
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Kaplan: Best for Interactive Study Groups
Overall Score:
4.95 / 5
Pros
- Self-paced learning
- 1:1 coaching and training
- Direct access to real estate experts
Cons
- No post-licensing or broker licensing courses
- No pass guarantee
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan is the best online real estate classes in Iowa for students who prefer to complete their education in a self-paced format. Kaplan’s prelicensing course includes access to an Interactive Study Group, which covers the national licensing content in live webinars. Aspiring agents can interact with expert faculty to ask questions in real time and learn from other students. The study group aims to keep students on track to finish their education on time and master key concepts covered in the state licensing exam.
If you’re looking for additional learning materials, purchase exam prep courses covering national and Iowa state portions of the exam. These courses provide multiple practice exams and simulations to help you build confidence before taking the test. If you need CE credits to renew your license every three years, CE course packages and individual courses are available on Kaplan, which you can take via online video format. However, Kaplan can improve by offering post-licensing and broker licensing courses.
Kaplan’s real estate Career Toolbox (Source: Kaplan)
- Accreditations: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), and Iowa Real Estate Commission (IREC)
- PassProtection retake policy: If students fail their license exam, they can retake the same programs within six months after purchase. This policy only applies to students in live or live online classes.
- Career toolbox: Offers an extensive collection of free real estate news, blogs, recorded webinars, a video library, and topical advice.
- Learning management system (LMS): Lessons are presented in manageable, bite-sized sections. Additionally, it automatically saves your course progress, allowing you to pick up right where you left off.
Kaplan obtained a high customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5. Agents commended Kaplan for its competent, friendly, and enthusiastic instructors who were passionate about real estate issues, which made studying an enjoyable experience. Students also appreciate the variety of learning formats since it allows them more scheduling flexibility and convenience.
However, some agents, particularly those who concurrently registered for multiple Kaplan courses, hoped that the length of course access might be extended beyond six months. Kaplan also does not provide a pass guarantee. If you require these features, we recommend The CE Shop.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Kaplan Review.
Kaplan’s pricing includes individual courses and bundled packages at competitive rates. Course packages include several learning features, such as access to the Interactive Study Group, which can help you prepare thoroughly for the license exam.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $369-$599 |
|
Continued Education | $29-$149 |
|
Exam Prep | $99-$129 |
|
Colibri Real Estate: Best for Extensive Instructor Support
Overall Score:
4.90 / 5
Pros
- Self-paced learning
- Interactive course features
- Pass guarantee
Cons
- No interactive study groups
- No 1:1 coaching or training
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
What’s unique about Colibri Real Estate is the interactive features and abundance of instructor support included in its tiered packages. Each self-paced prelicensing package contains state-approved instructor support, where students can email or call their teachers for questions and guidance. If you purchase premium packages, you can access Instructor Q&A and Live Exam Crammer Series features, allowing real-time discussion with seasoned real estate experts.
Prelicensing students get additional study materials to help them ace the licensing exam, such as printed course textbooks, real estate e-books, and an exam prep course. Both prelicensing and exam prep courses come with a pass guarantee, assuring students of a full refund if they fail the state exam. Active agents seeking to renew their licenses can purchase CE courses from its partner company, McKissock Learning. But the school can improve its education quality by offering interactive study groups and a mobile app.
Colibri Real Estate’s Exam Prep Master (Source: Colibri Real Estate)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and IREC
- “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee: Students may submit their test results to Colibri Real Estate for a refund of the purchased package if they fail the state exam.
- Course extension: You can extend your course access from seven, 30, or even 60 days at an additional charge.
- Exam prep resources: There are numerous practice exams and real estate flashcards included in the exam prep. The Exam Prep Master course offers study materials, additional practice tests, and exam prep courses for students needing further study assistance for the exam.
Agents like Colibri Real Estate’s courses for their scheduling flexibility and convenience. Students also love the school’s test prep, extra practice exams, study guides, and quizzes, which helped them pass the licensing exam on the first try. With this, Colibri Real Estate is regarded as one of the best online real estate classes in Iowa, receiving a 4.15 out of 5 customer review rating.
However, several students found the school’s text-based instruction and “long reading” assignments tedious. Another issue is that Colibri Real Estate does not offer the three 12-hour prelicensing courses that Iowa requires. You can look up the additional 36-hour prelicensing course at the Center for Real Estate Excellence.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Colibri Real Estate Review.
One of the best accredited online real estate schools, Colibri Real Estate, provides bundled packages and individual courses at competitive rates. Course packages contain several supplementary learning materials.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $377-$656 |
|
Continued Education* | $29-$249 |
|
Exam Prep | $115-$219 |
|
*Offered by its affiliate partner, McKissock Learning
The CE Shop: Best for Exclusive Online Learning Environment
Overall Score:
4.75 / 5
Pros
- Mobile-friendly platform
- Provides interactive study groups
- Free career resources
Cons
- No livestream or on-demand video learning formats
- No 1:1 coaching or training
- No broker prelicensing or post-licensing courses
Our Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
The CE Shop stood out by its comprehensive, user-friendly, and fully customizable online learning platform. Its courses are offered entirely online, allowing students to access their courses anytime and anywhere from any mobile device. The CE Shop also features a custom LEAP 2.0 educational method that keeps students interested while accommodating different learning styles.
Moreover, its curriculum was created by field experts to give new and seasoned real estate agents the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for success. For aspirant agents in Iowa, The CE Shop is an excellent choice due to the ease of online learning and its focus on the individual student’s needs. However, it could improve its offerings by including live stream classes or real-time instructor engagement capabilities to give a more collaborative learning environment.
The CE Shop’s Agent Essentials page
(Source: The CE Shop)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and IREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: If the course has not been completed more than 50% and before the course expiration, The CE Shop gives a full refund within 30 days of the purchase.
- Career resources: These free resources include e-books, blogs, podcasts, videos, and webinars. You’ll find articles on topics including how to expand your real estate firm, how to launch a profession, business news, and trending issues.
- Course extension: Students who fail to complete the course during the access period can repurchase it within 30 days after its expiration for 50% of the retail cost.
The CE Shop obtained a 4.05 out of 5 customer review rating for its convenient and accessible online courses and flexible learning format. Users find the platform simple to use, improving their learning experience. Positive comments were also given for its course materials and detailed coverage of exam-related subjects.
However, several students have been disappointed with the length of course access. Some people have also commented that the courses’ self-guided format can make keeping up with the material challenging, especially for students who study best in controlled environments. Kaplan or Colibri Real Estate may be a good option for those who like a mix of live and self-paced learning because they provide a selection of course formats.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our The CE Shop Review.
Pricing at The CE Shop varies according to the selected course, learning format, and desired course package. Depending on the requirements of each student, the course packages offer a variety of features and course offerings.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $379-$659 |
|
Continued Education | $35-$169 |
|
Exam Prep | $79-$135 |
|
McKissock Learning: Best for Customizable CE With Professional Development Tools
Overall Score:
4.47 / 5
Pros
- 1:1 instructor assistance
- 10-day refund policy
- Easy learning platform navigation
Cons
- No three mandatory 12-hour prelicensing courses
- No broker licensing or post-licensing education
- Longer timeframe for refunds
Our Expert Opinion on McKissock Learning
We recommend McKissock Learning for active salespersons and brokers looking for affordable and customizable continuing education in Iowa with course format variety. A unique feature offered by McKissock Learning is its CE membership packages, providing several career resources on top of unlimited access to all available IA CE classes. These professional tools range from on-demand webinars to how-to videos, downloadable job aids, and access to education specialists.
McKissock Learning also provides bundled 24-hour CE renewal packages, which are customizable based on the topics you’re interested in. Take individual courses to suit your interest, schedule, and budget. For aspiring real estate agents, the 60-hour prelicensing education is available through its partner company, Colibri Real Estate. However, the school could improve by offering the additional 12-hour live prelicensing courses and 12 hours of live CE courses required by the state for license renewal.
McKissock Learning coaching and training (Source: McKissock Learning)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and IREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: For online courses, students have 30 days from the date of purchase to receive a refund. For live stream and classroom courses, students must request a refund within 24 hours from the first day to get a refund.
- 1:1 instructor assistance: Depending on the package selected, students can email or interact in live sessions with an instructor to ask questions.
- Coaching and training: Connect with real estate coaches, participate in non-credit webinars, and choose online courses to refresh their skills.
Customers praised McKissock Learning for its self-paced and well-structured courses, which gave busy agents convenience and flexibility. Others commended its user-friendly layout and the useful and updated information they learned through CE courses, which acted as a review for experienced professionals. As a result, McKissock Learning received a high customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5, making it one of the best online real estate classes in Iowa.
However, because of the text-heavy content, some agents found it difficult to finish their courses. Besides, McKissock Learning does not provide comprehensive real estate education, such as post-licensing, broker licensing, and exam prep courses. It also lacks a pass guarantee and a mobile app. If you need these features, consider Colibri Real Estate or The CE Shop.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our McKissock Learning Review.
A national education provider, McKissock Learning’s pricing includes bundled packages and individual courses at fair rates. Course packages contain several additional learning tools and career resources, which help agents understand estate topics effectively. Prelicensing courses are offered through its partner company, Colibri Real Estate.
Education Type | Price Range | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing* | $377-$656 |
|
Continued Education | $29-$249 |
|
Exam Prep* | $115-$219 |
|
*Offered by its affiliate partner, Colibri Real Estate
Center for Real Estate Excellence: Best for Learning Format Variety
Overall Score:
4.03 / 5
Pros
- Direct instructor access
- Free informational career conversation
- Books and learning materials included in courses
Cons
- No interactive study groups
- No pass guarantee
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on Center for Real Estate Excellence
Center for Real Estate Excellence (CREE) is best for aspiring agents looking to complete all of the required 96 hours of prelicensing education in Iowa, with several learning formats to choose from. Students can take the prerequisite 60-hour prelicensing coursework via self-paced online or live stream classes. They can then complete the three additional 12-hour courses via live Zoom instruction. Seasoned realtors teach live classes, so students can directly access local experts and ask questions in real time.
Furthermore, CREE’s complete Iowa real estate drill and practice QBank combines two unique QBanks into a single, convenient package, allowing you to thoroughly prepare for the license exam. This QBank bundle lets you fit studying into your schedule with customized tests focusing on areas you don’t excel. To ensure you are prepared for exam day, you can also take simulated tests to put your knowledge to the test. Yet, the school could improve by offering interactive study groups and a pass guarantee.
Center for Real Estate Excellence’s real estate textbooks (Source: Center for Real Estate Excellence)
- Accreditation: IREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refunds are provided for courses canceled 72 hours before the start of class.
- Real estate textbooks: Written by experts in the field and are intended to assist you in advancing your career.
- Accessibility: Courses are available and accessible on all devices, including desktops, phones, and tablets.
The Center for Real Estate Excellence garnered a perfect 5 out of 5 customer review rating. Students appreciated its experienced instructors for giving real-life scenarios and making classes engaging. Also, students commended its prelicensing classes, which assisted them in passing their tests, and its CE courses for license renewal.
As of this writing, the institution does not provide post-licensing or broker licensing courses. Additionally, unlike Colibri Real Estate and The CE Shop, its prelicensing courses do not offer a pass guarantee in case an exam retake is necessary.
Prelicensing courses at the Center for Real Estate Excellence are conducted via Zoom live stream and include books and other learning materials.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $350 |
|
Continued Education | $20-$60 |
|
Visit Center for Real Estate Excellence
QC School of Real Estate: Best for Affordable Prelicensing Education
Overall Score:
3.79 / 5
Pros
- Self-paced learning
- Courses are accessible on any devices
- Direct access to local experts
Cons
- No broker licensing and CE courses
- No career assistance
- No live chat support
Our Expert Opinion on QC School of Real Estate
QC School of Real Estate offers the most budget-friendly Real Estate Principles and Practices courses. While this course is self-paced, it contains video segments to keep students engaged with their learning materials. QC School of Real Estate also offers several exam prep courses for prelicensure students who need additional test preparation.
Exam prep courses cover the state and national portions of the exam and contain a comprehensive QBank test engine that simulates the actual exam environment. You can also customize tests by topics and view answer explanations so that you can master each concept. However, QC School of Real Estate could improve by offering career assistance and broker licensing and CE courses.
QC School of Real Estate textbooks (Source: QC School of Real Estate)
- Accreditation: IREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: You must contact the school for refund and course access policy.
- Customer support: Technical support is available from Monday to Friday.
- Real estate textbooks: Written by experts in the field and are intended to assist you in advancing your career.
Agents love QC School of Real Estate because of its excellent instructor with in-depth real estate industry knowledge. One agent commented that she felt secure in her skills after taking the school’s real estate classes. The course also helped her feel comfortable moving forward with her career. Another agent also said the teacher kept the students engaged throughout their classes. With this, the school obtained a perfect 5 out of 5 rating.
However, the school doesn’t offer the 36-hour live prelicensing classes the state requires. Post-licensing, CE, and broker licensing courses are also not available. We recommend the Center for Real Estate Excellence if you need to take all the required prelicensing education. You can also check CE courses at Kaplan and McKissock Learning.
QC School of Real Estate courses are among the most affordable on this list. Students can complete the 60-hour prelicensing coursework, which is a prerequisite for taking the exam. Aspiring agents can also take an exam prep course to supplement their prelicensing education.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $287.50-$385 |
|
Exam Prep | $27.50-$120 |
|
Visit QC School of Real Estate
How We Evaluated the Best Online Real Estate Classes in Iowa
The best schools provide Iowa real estate courses in convenient formats that allow easy access and scheduling flexibility. These schools also offer ample instructor support, fair pricing, and interactive course features to ensure a positive learning experience in an online learning environment.
After evaluating several real estate license Iowa classes, we found Kaplan to be the best option because of its interactive study groups, one-on-one coaching and training, course format variety, and direct instructor access. The school also offers extensive free real estate news, blogs, recorded webinars, a video library, and topical advice.
Here are the criteria we used to find the best Iowa real estate license courses that offer quality Iowa real estate license classes online.
25%
Learning Style/Course Features
20%
Pricing
15%
Education Provided
15%
Additional Features
10%
Customer Reviews
10%
Expert Score
5%
Help & Support
25% of Overall Score
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.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
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.
15% of Overall Score
Extending services past licensure such as coaching and training and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers pass or refund guarantees for its courses.
10% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback for each program, with particular attention given to reviews of the product and popularity of the provider, to certify the course meets user satisfaction.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Finishing your prelicensing course can take anywhere between two weeks and two months, depending on your chosen learning format—live stream, self-paced, or on-demand video. However, self-paced online courses require you to plan your own study time schedule, allowing you to finish your course faster or slower. But there’s no need to rush since most institutions allow access to courses for up to six months, and a few even offer course extensions for an additional cost.
The requirements to become a licensed real estate agent in Iowa are the following:
- You must be 18 or older within six months of taking the exam.
- You must take a prelicense course. An Iowa Real Estate Commission-approved course is required before you take the Real Estate Exam.
- Pass the real estate exam with the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
- Pick a brokerage.
- Complete 36 hours of listing, buying, and developing courses within 12 months of passing the licensing exam.
- Apply for an Iowa real estate license.
The difficulty of the Iowa real estate exam varies from person to person. It mostly depends on how well-prepared, disciplined, and knowledgeable the person is with the subject matter. Passing the test can be considerably aided by diligently studying and taking practice examinations.
