5 Best Rhode Island Real Estate Schools Online 2023
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
The best Rhode Island real estate schools online provide tools and resources to fulfill prelicensing and continued education (CE) requirements, ace the exam, and start your career. Online real estate courses in Rhode Island combine a top-notch education with flexible course forms, attractive learning aids, competent support, and affordable costs. To help you get or renew your real estate license, we compared five schools to find the best Rhode Island real estate school for you:
- Best for diverse course offerings: Rhode Island Association of Realtors
- Best for exam preparation packages: The CE Shop
- Best for customizable on-demand and livestream courses: Freedom Trail Realty School
- Best for self-paced continued education: McKissock Learning
- Best for a structured hands-on livestream course: Westcott School of Real Estate
Best Online Schools in Rhode Island At a Glance
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Learning Formats | Pass Guarantee | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prelicensing: Varies; starts at $299 for in-person prelicensing Broker licensing: Varies CE: Varies; starts at $35 Exam prep: Varies |
| Varies, depending on the course and class | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | Prelicensing: $269 CE: $35 Exam prep: $79 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat |
Use Promo Code: FSB30 for 30% off | ||||
 | Prelicensing: $229 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | CE: $19 Exam prep: $115 |
| ✕ | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | Prelicensing: $250 |
| ✕ | Phone and email |
Things you need to know before enrolling for your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to help you get started.
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Rhode Island Association of Realtors: Best for Diverse Course Offerings
Overall Score:
4.91 / 5
Pros
- Partnerships with top-rated schools
- Affordable in-person courses
- Sponsorship with tuition discount
Cons
- Offers only 24 hours toward broker’s 90-hour requirement
- No self-paced learning
- No exam prep
Our Expert Opinion on Rhode Island Association of Realtors
The Rhode Island Association of Realtors is a top school for real estate license online courses, offering Rhode Island real estate classes that meet every stage of an agent’s career. Students can access online prelicensing courses through its newly introduced platform or from several partner affiliations. Notable partners include The CE Shop, RE Campus, and McKissock Learning.
It offers livestream, in-person, and self-study courses to meet various learning styles. Additionally, it provides salesperson and broker prelicensing and continuing education for license renewal to prepare students for career growth. One improvement area would be providing exam preparation courses, so students can confidently take their exams.
Designation and certification courses. (Source: Rhode Island Association of Realtors)
- Accreditation: Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (RIDBR)
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refund within 72 hours of first class except for a $25 registration fee. For Zoom classes, digital material is sent 48 hours prior. If you cancel after the material has been emailed, an additional $50 will also be deducted.
- RI REALTORS® Real Estate Xpedition program (REX): This program was established to aid recently licensed associates, offering a comprehensive package of essential resources, equipping them to initiate their careers in the real estate field successfully.
- Discounts and coupons: Rhode Island Realtors members receive discount pricing, and the school often provides discount coupons on its homepage.
Rhode Island Association of Realtors has a rating of 4.4 out of 5. Students appreciated the flexible class hours, the quality of the instructors, the program’s affordability, the assistance provided by career services, and the adequate career preparation.
Unhappy reviewers expressed disappointment that more weeks for preparation and insufficient class options were available, classes had too many agents, and there were excessive fees. If you want a school with a smaller class size, check out Westcott School of Real Estate or Freedom Trail Realty School.
The Rhode Island Association of Realtors partners with online real estate schools, offering varying pricing for courses, including real estate classes in Rhode Island. In-person prelicensing costs $299, and online continuing education covers broker prelicensing requirements.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $299 |
|
Broker Prelicensing | Contact school for pricing |
|
Continued Education | $35 |
|
Visit Rhode Island Association of Realtors
The CE Shop: Best for Exam Preparation Packages
Overall Score:
4.71 / 5
Pros
- Self-paced learning
- Intuitive dashboards
- Interactive course features
Cons
- Doesn’t offer livestream courses
- No broker prelicensing or continuing education courses
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
Standing out by offering some of the best real estate classes in Rhode Island, The CE Shop is known for exceptional exam prep packages. Its self-paced prelicensing education offers flexibility across devices while enhancing learning. Interactive preparation through Exam Prep Edge boosts students’ test readiness.
The LEAP platform ensures seamless navigation through comprehensive lessons. Beyond education, The CE Shop empowers real estate agents with career resources on its Agent Essentials page, which includes blogs, e-books, podcasts, and videos. To enhance rankings, The CE Shop could introduce livestream formats, catering to learners needing live interaction. This addition would enrich the learning experience for those preferring dynamic engagement.
The CE Shop’s Agent Essentials page. (Source: The CE Shop)
- Accreditations: International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), and RIDBR
- Refund/cancellation policy: You have 30 days from the date of purchase to request a full refund, as long as you’ve completed less than 50% of the course.
- Real-time feedback: In the Exam Prep Edge, learners get real-time feedback to master the areas they need to improve to prepare for exam day.
- Practice tests: Learners have unlimited real estate practice tests with unique questions for each, so they can practice until they are confident they can pass.
The CE Shop has a 4.4 out of 5 rating. It has received glowing reviews from learners who love its easy-to-use and exciting learning platform. Students appreciated the online, self-paced classes and detailed lessons featuring audio, visual, and real-life situations. Learners admire how the school makes studying enjoyable, boosting their confidence for the state exam. Learners also like unlimited test retakes and The CE Shop’s affordability.
Despite receiving many positive reviews, some students have voiced discontent regarding the allocated time frames for course access. Additionally, a subset of individuals highlighted that the self-paced courses could pose difficulties in staying on track with the content, particularly for those who need structured learning. Check out Freedom Trail Realty School’s livestream courses if you prefer a live classroom.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our The CE Shop Review.
The CE Shop’s real estate courses in Rhode Island have multiple class options. Students can choose from tiered packages or individual courses to customize their education according to their needs. Various programs offer flexibility in course selection to cater to specific requirements.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $269 to $379 |
|
Continued Education | $35 to $195 |
|
Exam Prep | $79 |
|
Freedom Trail Realty School: Best for Customizable On-demand & Livestream Courses
Overall Score:
4.24 / 5
Pros
- Can be completed in as little as five days
- Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee
- On-demand class review available
Cons
- No mobile app
- Connecticut and Rhode Island classes are reciprocity only
- No interactive study groups
Our Expert Opinion on Freedom Trail Realty School
Freedom Trail Realty School stands out among Rhode Island real estate schools with the option to combine live stream and on-demand courses. This flexibility lets agents tailor their learning experience, choosing the format that suits them best with classes led by experienced real estate professionals.
The school offers Rhode Island real estate classes through an exclusive reciprocity program to RI prelicensees, enabling aspiring agents to attain Massachusetts and Rhode Island licenses. Individuals can secure their Rhode Island real estate license by completing the Massachusetts real estate course, state exam, and a 3-hour Rhode Island lead paint course. However, Freedom Trail only offers continuing education for Massachusetts license renewal, not RI. It could improve by creating RI-specific CE courses.
Practice exam feedback example (Source: Freedom Trail Realty School)
- Accreditations: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons and RIDBR
- Refund/cancellation policy: You can get a refund for the purchase of class access within 14 days of your registration, as long as you haven’t started any classes or logged any class time. After 14 days, refunds are pro rata.
- Access to on-demand courses 24/7: Learners can access their courses anytime, day or night, providing ultimate scheduling flexibility.
- Exclusive job board: Students can access an exclusive online job board to find the right real estate brokerage or company.
Freedom Trail Realty boasts an impressive score of 4.9 out of 5. Students commend the class’s flexibility, which enabled them to efficiently complete the material, while instructors are noted for their thoroughness and support. Feedback highlights the engaging, informative, and enjoyable nature of the courses.
A dissatisfied reviewer pointed out that the pass and refund guarantees are contingent upon passing six of the 120 practice tests. Before enrollment, it’s essential to understand these criteria. While pass guarantees inherently have stipulations, exploring alternatives like The CE Shop is also advisable.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Freedom Trail Realty School Review.
Freedom Trail Realty offers tiered packages and individual courses. These options include alum group access, live chat support outside class, test preparation workshops, and direct access to Massachusetts-licensed instructors for the Rhode Island real estate prelicense course online.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $229 to $499 |
|
Visit Freedom Trail Realty School
McKissock Learning: Best for Self-paced Continued Education
Overall Score:
3.92 / 5
Pros
- On-demand video provided
- Available on all devices
- Phone and email support
Cons
- Livestream unavailable
- Prelicensing courses not offered
- No live chat support option
Our Expert Opinion on McKissock Learning
Because it’s the school’s primary focus, McKissock Learning is the best Rhode Island real estate school online for self-paced RI real estate continuing education. Signing up with McKissock Learning gives real estate agents access to tools and resources like videos, industry discounts, and self-paced classes you can start whenever you want.
Classes are accessible on your computer, tablet, or phone, and if you need help, you can call or email customer support. Additionally, McKissock Learning is a partner of Colibri Real Estate that offers exam prep resources for aspiring real estate agents to be successful. The school could improve by adding livestream classes for students who thrive in a classroom environment and online chat to access support quickly.
McKissock Learning course chapters. (Source: McKissock Learning)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and RIDBR
- Refund/cancellation policy: Students have 30 days from the purchase date to request a refund in writing.
- McKissock dashboard: Without extra software, it offers quick and straightforward access to courses and completion certificates.
- Printed course materials: Students can print individual chapters of online courses to augment their online study.
With a rating of 4.5 out of 5, McKissock Learning earns high regard from students. They value the self-paced course setup, finding it user-friendly, thorough, and easy to follow. Praise also extends to the accessibility of online resources. Positives include flexible scheduling, informed instructors, beneficial career services, and practical readiness for professional life.
However, a few students raised concerns about customer service. While experienced learners might thrive, newcomers find it challenging. One noted that exam preparation didn’t match the test, highlighting a substantial content gap. For dynamic exam preparation resources, contact The CE Shop.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our McKissock Learning Review
Continuing education at McKissock Learning is provided as individual classes, packages, or a membership platform.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Continued Education | $19 to $249 |
|
Exam Prep* | $115 to $219 |
|
*Offered by its affiliate partner, Colibri Real Estate. Learn more about Colibri in our Colibri Real Estate Review.
Westcott School of Real Estate: Best for Structured Hands-on Livestream Courses
Overall Score:
3.43 / 5
Pros
- Livestream Rhode Island real estate license course
- Direct instructor assistance
- Available on multiple devices
Cons
- No broker prelicensing, CE, or exam prep
- Class access under six months
- Classes are not self-paced
Our Expert Opinion on Westcott School of Real Estate
Westcott School of Real Estate, a local Rhode Island-based real estate education provider, offers Rhode Island real estate classes online instructed by industry experts. Its livestream prelicensing course is conducted twice annually over four-week sessions, allowing students to complete 45 hours in as little as a month. The curriculum is structured around three main subjects: real estate business, principles and practices, and laws.
Through interactive livestream prelicensing courses, students gain practical insights and learn how to apply the taught skills effectively. Each month, the school features accomplished guest speakers from various real estate sectors, providing students with opportunities to engage with and learn from agents, accountants, mortgage brokers, attorneys, and investors. The school could improve by offering sessions more than twice yearly since it limits student access.
Westcott School of Real Estate blog.
(Source: Westcott School of Real Estate)
- Accreditation: RIDBR
- Refund/cancellation policy: Contact school
- Courses taught by industry leaders: Westcott Properties is a real estate brokerage, and the school’s courses are taught by active real estate professionals from the company.
- Textbooks provided with admission: Students receive hard copies of their textbooks for an additional fee to complement the livestream classes.
While no online reviews currently exist for Westcott School of Real Estate, it is an ideal choice for students seeking local education options over national brands. The school operates under the same umbrella as Westcott Properties, a local brokerage serving Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Florida. Therefore, those intrigued by potential opportunities with the brokerage should consider enrolling in their education program.
Unlike typical online real estate schools, Westcott School of Real Estate doesn’t explicitly outline a refund policy. Its approach does not involve on-demand videos or a self-paced course structure as students commit to a structured four-week timeline. For those seeking a self-paced learning environment, alternatives like The CE Shop may be worth exploring.
The fast-paced livestream prelicensing course is offered at a competitive price compared to national providers.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $250 |
|
Visit Westcott School of Real Estate
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Rhode Island
The best Rhode Island real estate school online provides diverse learning formats tailored to accommodate the schedules of busy agents. These classes prioritize interactivity and robust support to ensure a high-quality online learning journey. Our evaluation of Rhode Island’s best online real estate courses involved meticulously comparing formats, features, and learning approaches, encompassing program availability, variety, pricing, and learner feedback.
Standing out among these options, The Rhode Island Association of Realtors is the premier real estate school in Rhode Island, offering comprehensive education covering the entire spectrum of a real estate career. As an accredited online real estate school, The Rhode Island Association of Realtors delivers competitive training programs, including self-paced courses within Rhode Island, enriched by engaging interactive components.
Here are the criteria we used to determine the best Rhode Island real estate school 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)
The difficulty of the Rhode Island real estate exam varies based on individual preparation, prior knowledge, and study habits. Success requires a strong understanding of real estate concepts, laws, and regulations. Reviewing course materials, studying relevant state-specific information, and utilizing practice exams can make the exam more manageable.
No, a college degree is not a requirement to become a real estate agent in Rhode Island. The eligibility criteria typically involve completing a state-approved prelicensing course, passing the real estate licensing exam, and meeting other state-specific requirements. While a degree is not mandatory, it can still be beneficial for gaining relevant knowledge and skills that could aid your real estate career.
Becoming a real estate agent in Rhode Island involves meeting specific licensing requirements, developing knowledge of real estate laws and market trends, and building client relationships. Success hinges on navigating market competitiveness, self-employment responsibilities, and staying up-to-date with industry changes through continuing education. While the path may present challenges, dedication, networking, and effective communication can lead to a fulfilling and potentially rewarding career in real estate.
