Best Real Estate Online Courses in California: Your Complete 2025 Guide

Are you interested in getting a real estate license in California? If you’re answer is affirmative, you are probably aware that one of the basic requirements to become a real estate agent in California is passing the required college-level real estate courses and related degrees. 

Nowadays, you have plenty of options when choosing a provider that adapts to your necessities and preferences as a student. In this article, we’ll be exploring the best online providers to make the choice less overwhelming for you.

After all, the best real estate online courses in California don’t just meet the state’s requirements; they make the process smoother, faster, and more effective so you can pass the exam and start your career with confidence.

Prelicensing: Your First Step Toward a California Real Estate License

Before you can take the California real estate licensing exam, you’ll need to complete prelicensing education. The state requires 135 hours for salespersons and 360 hours for brokers, set by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). 

For a salesperson, you’ll have to pass three college-level courses:

• Real Estate Principles,
• Real Estate Practice
• One course from the following list:
  • Real Estate Appraisal
  • Property Management
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Economics
  • Legal Aspects of Real Estate
  • Real Estate Office Administration
  • General Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Escrows
  • Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
  • Computer Applications in Real Estate
  • Common Interest Developments

Pro tip: Always, when choosing a provider, read everything and make sure that it’s approved by the DRE and covers all required subjects. Without this, your coursework won’t count toward eligibility, no matter how much time and money you invest.

Continuing Education: Staying Licensed and Competitive

Getting your real estate license is only the start, and you will need to pass more courses to stay an active agent. In California, you’ll have to complete a 45-hour course every four years. This means that a provider that offers both prelicensing and CE can save you time in the future and give you a single, reliable resource for all your educational needs.

Best DRE-Approved Real Estate Online Courses in California

Now you have a very basic idea of what to look for in a provider, and don’t worry, we’ll expand on that. But for now, let’s actually see some of the most popular and reliable options out there. If you want to explore more options at a later date, explore the DRE Education Courses Availability page directly.  

Kaplan Real Estate Education

Kaplan is known for its professional, structured learning environment. They cater to students who want more than just a course, who want coaching, live support, and strong exam preparation tools.

• Multiple formats: self-paced, livestream, and text-based study, although it places emphasis on daily study.
  
• Robust exam prep: practice exams, large question banks, and performance tracking.
  
• “Career Launcher” package includes mentorship and career coaching.
  
• As for pricing, their licensing + exam prep starts around $399, but the full career package can reach ~$749. But once you’ve made your purchase, you’ll have 6 months to complete the courses.
  

Colibri Real Estate

Colibri, on the other hand, emphasizes exam readiness. Their platform focuses on helping you feel confident and prepared with live support, interactive tools, and a strong pass guarantee.

• They have a “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee in most tiers, so if you don’t pass the exam on your first try, your original fee for the exam will be entirely covered by them.
  
  
• Flexible learning: self-paced online or livestream options, so you can adjust it to your schedule.
  
• You’ll have available Live Q&A sessions with instructors.
  
• Pricing ranges from ~$199 for basic packages to over $459 for premium bundles, but check for discounts, as they can be as high as 40%.
  

The CE Shop

The CE Shop delivers a polished online experience with modern tools and a reputation for strong pass rates. Their platform is especially useful for those who want a straightforward, tech-driven study environment or for those who only need the courses.

• Multiple course packages that adjust well to the students’ necessities.
  
• The premium package, for example, even covers the first 45-hour course to renew your license in the future.
  
• High pass rates backed by positive student reviews, as well as a pass guarantee, meaning they will cover the exam fee if you don’t pass it on your first try.
  
• Competitive pricing, often between $139 and $ 399, depending on the package you choose. 

AceableAgent

AceableAgent is designed for students who want maximum flexibility and engaging content. With a mobile-first platform and high pass rates, it’s a favorite for busy learners who prefer studying on the go.

• Very mobile-friendly with a dedicated app you can download to have quick access to your courses.
  
• Interactive multimedia content that adapts depending on the course you buy: this includes videos, audio narrations, quizzes, and a virtual instructor available 24/7.
  
• Ranked “Best Pass Rate” provider by Investopedia, and it has an impressive 4.8/5 stars from a total of 9,898 reviews.
  
• Affordable pricing—typically $199 to $419 in California, but there are frequent discounts. 

Special Features to Help You Study More Effectively 

Tracking Your Progress for Better Results

One of the advantages of modern online real estate courses is the interactive dashboards that track your course completion, flag upcoming deadlines, and highlight the topics you still need to master. 

These tools aren’t just for organization—they’re powerful motivators. When you can see that you’ve completed 70% of the course or that you’ve consistently scored above 85% on practice tests, it builds momentum. On the other hand, if your dashboard shows you’re falling behind, you can adjust your schedule before it’s too late. 

Study Anywhere with Mobile Learning

Today’s students want flexibility, and mobile apps, audio lessons, and on-the-go learning make it easier than ever to fit study time into a busy schedule. 

This flexibility is especially important for people balancing work, family, and school. You might spend 20 minutes during lunch going through a chapter or listening to audio lessons while exercising. These little pockets of study time add up, making it easier to stay on pace and complete the course before your deadline.

Balancing Quality and Affordability

Choosing the right course is a balancing act between quality, budget, and value. In California, prelicensing courses typically range from about $150 to $500, depending on the provider, package level, and included features. 

Value is more than just the lowest price. A cheaper course can end up costing more in the long run if you fail the exam and have to retake it. But that doesn’t mean that the highest-priced course is always the best for you, as you might not need to use all the extras that it includes. 

Lexawise, an Affordable Exam Prep Platform

While most providers do offer exam prep, their packages aren’t always cheap. An alternative for you is to pay for the basic package, which includes the required prelicensing courses, and then explore Lexawise resources to prepare for the real estate exam. Which includes: 

• 4,500+ Practice Questions across every key exam topic
• Smart Analytics to track your performance and progress
• Real Estate Math Guide with easy-to-follow steps
• Unlimited Practice Exams to build confidence and endurance
• Real Estate Exam Study Guide PDF to study anywhere, anytime
• 800+ Flashcards to master your exam’s real estate terms
• 24/7 AI Tutor ready to answer your questions on the spot
• Video Lessons to visually guide you through complex concepts
• 100+ Audio Lessons so you can review key material on the go, hands-free

Lexawise suits every learning style and has very affordable pricing, going from $39 for a week-long intensive course to $79 for 6 months of access. Check our exam prep courses and find the one that fits you best.

Conclusion

Finding the best real estate online courses in California means looking beyond the basics. It’s about matching your needs and learning style to a program that’s approved, flexible, and supportive—while also fitting your budget.

Whether you’re just starting out or planning your continuing education, the right course can help you pass the exam, build your confidence, and set the foundation for a successful real estate career.