For anyone who needs to renew their real estate license in Texas, enrolling in an approved continuing education (CE) program is a must.
I mean, you don’t want to spend your time studying a course that won’t satisfy the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
But with the sheer number of providers online, it can be tough to pinpoint which school is approved and which one isn’t.
We’re here to help.
In this article, we list down the best real estate continuing education in Texas. You can be sure that all these providers are TREC-approved and offer the highest quality education.
So, without further ado…
Let’s dive into the article!
5 Best Online Real Estate Continuing Education Providers in Texas
Again, the schools we mention on this list are all approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Enrolling in a course given by any of these providers will surely help you complete your real estate license renewal requirements.
For a quick rundown, here are the best real estate continuing education providers in Texas:
Now, let’s see what each of them can offer YOU.
AceableAgent
Nothing says convenience like AceableAgent’s real estate CE courses.
Made with Texas real estate professionals in mind, AceableAgent can help you qualify for license renewal and refresh your knowledge of current real estate laws and guidelines.
If you choose this provider, you get to pick from individual and bundled classes, made flexible to fit a wide range of budgets.
What’s more, you can easily access your lessons through their user-friendly website. And if you’re looking for more portability, they also have a companion app that you can download on your tablet or mobile phone.
Classes are pre-recorded, so you can take them anywhere and anytime you like. As long as you have an internet connection, you’re pretty much good to go.
There are also PDF versions of each lesson to support your learning process.
If you encounter any issue with the app or the course, you can contact the AceableAgent customer support service via their “Help Center.”
McKissock
McKissock is probably the most well-known online CE provider in the country.
This school has been around for decades, serving thousands of real estate agents with high-quality real estate education.
McKissock offers both bundled and individual courses. They even have a membership plan that opens unique opportunities and resources.
Some bundles even give you the chance to interact with leading professionals in the real estate industry. It’s also possible to expand your real estate network by interacting with other students within the McKissock virtual community.
Learning materials are 100% online; you can access them anywhere and anytime you prefer. Their website is optimized for tablets, mobile phones, and laptops. Enjoy pre-recorded videos, live streams, one-on-one interactions, and well-organized text lessons.
Bundle prices start at $140 while individual course prices start at $30. Each course is designed to meet specific requirements, while others are for supplemental learning. So make sure to read the description before buying anything.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
What sets Kaplan apart from its competitors is that it lets you choose between live online sessions, home study, or online courses.
They use multiple learning formats to meet varying learning styles and preferences.
For their live online, Kaplan employs some of the best real estate professionals to lead their sessions. What’s more, since it’s a Livestream, you don’t have to waste all that time in traffic for a face-to-face class.
If you choose home study, then you get a PDF of the course itself. This will allow you to read through it as quickly or slowly as you want.
And if you want to study offline, you can easily print out the course PDF.
As for online, it adds more interaction to the curriculum. And, you have to study it through a screen.
Whatever format you select, technical and curriculum support is available to Kaplan students via their student portal. You may also call Kaplan’s landline or send them a message via their Live Chat feature.
When you enroll in Kaplan, keep in mind that your access to the learning program lasts only 6 months. Once exceeded, access will be revoked and you’ll have to enroll once more.
Another thing to note is to make sure you check if a course offers credit hours. This is because Kaplan also offers courses for supplemental learning. So make sure to check them out before buying.
Champion School of Real Estate
Like Kaplan, Champion School of Real Estate caters to all types of learners.
They have an extensive collection of individual and bundled courses. All of which can be taken using 3 learning modes:
- In-classroom
- Virtual classroom
- Online correspondence
In-classroom mode is designed for students who prefer face-to-face interactions with their peers and mentors. It’s a great way to get immediate feedback about certain aspects of your profession, as well as get critical information to enhance your skills.
Virtual classroom mode is for students who prefer face-to-face communication but would still prefer to study from somewhere that isn’t a dingy or cramped classroom. This option is also more flexible as you can set your own schedule and time for classes.
However, canceling can be a bit of a hassle, since you’ll have to do it a day or two before. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a “No Show” fee of $35 to the school.
Online correspondence is for enrollees who prefer a self-paced approach to learning. Study anyplace and anytime you like, as long as you have a stable internet connection.
MBitionToLearn
The great thing about MBitionToLearn is also possibly the worst thing about them.
They only offer individual courses. So it’s great for learners who only need one specific course to complete their requirements.
For those who need to complete more hours, it can get a little pricey. This is because each course on MBitionToLearn can cost anywhere between $20 to $40, which can easily add up to a whopping $1,000 — depending on your requirements.
On the bright side, MBitionToLearn has a rich library of real estate books, e-books, and PDFs to support your learning. Lessons are also fully online, so you can access them whenever and wherever you like.
Customer chat support is available in case you encounter a problem during your lessons. You may also contact MBitionToLearn via their phone number or open a support ticket here.
FAQs
Before we go, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about real estate license renewal and CE requirements in Texas.
Is this your first time renewing your real estate license in Texas?
If this is your first time renewing your real estate license in Texas, then know that before filing your renewal, you must have a total of:
- 270 qualifying real estate course hours
- 4 hours of TREC’s Legal Update I
- 4 hours of TREC’s Legal Update II
Those who have been appointed as a supervisor by their broker must take a 6-hour Broker Responsibility course.
Is online real estate continuing education better than in-classroom?
That depends entirely on the type of learner you are. Some learning techniques might not be a great match for some students.
So when choosing between online and in-classroom, think about what features and conveniences are more important to you.
For instance, online learning is perfect for those who are busy with everyday responsibilities and only have time to study during off-hours. Meanwhile, in-classroom learning is great for students who learn better with face-to-face interactions and simultaneous feedback.
Is CE really necessary to renew my real estate license?
In a word: Yes.
Real estate laws and regulations shift every day. You don’t want to slip up during any of your correspondence and transactions. This could land you in a hot spot with the real estate authorities as well as your clients.
Conclusion
Continuing education is essential for a blossoming real estate career. You want to stay on top of the latest trends and news. Furthermore, you want to be as familiar with the laws and regulations as possible to help your clients and/or business partners make the right choices in transactions.
And yes, you can’t renew your real estate license without it, too!
So if your renewal date is fast approaching, pick any of the best real estate continuing education in Texas and get started right away.
Rest assured that, whichever provider you pick, you’ll be in great hands.
Good luck!