5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Kentucky for 2023 (Updated!)
Need to get your real estate license in Kentucky? I’ve spent over 152 hours evaluating the 9 most popular courses approved by the Kentucky Real Estate Authority. I’ve checked out each and every course, and there are clear winners and losers – so be sure to read my guide thoroughly!
5 Best Real Estate Schools in Kentucky
- Best Overall Online Real Estate School in Kentucky: The CE Shop
- Most Flexible Online Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
- Most Affordable Real Estate School (The CE Shop): Tuition Reimbursement
- Best for Preparing New Agents for Success: The CE Shop
- Best Refund Policy: Colibri Real Estate
- Best Continuing Education in Kentucky: CE Shop
- Best Test Prep in Kentucky: PrepAgent
What did I evaluate?

I looked at the 5 most important factors for each course, including course value, ease of use, unique features, student satisfaction, and pass rates.
I also took into account thousands of online reviews from other agents who have attended the courses. Each course is different, so I’ve included video walkthroughs so you can really understand what you’re getting. My video reviews include my opinions too (I promise, they’re short and sweet).
How’d I do it? I “secret-shopped” each and every course in Kentucky. I got access to the courses, I contacted their support team as if I were an active student, and I took a look at the content. These Kentucky real estate schools may appear to be really similar when you’re first taking a look, but trust me – as probably the ONLY person who has actually evaluated all these Kentucky courses – they are very, very different!
A bit about Pass Rates:
You’ll see me refer to Pass Rates in my article – these are estimated using a variety of sources – pass rates directly from the providers, estimations from other states where providers operate in multiple states, and user-reported qualitative information.
School | Estimated Pass Rate |
---|---|
The CE Shop | |
Colibri Real Estate | |
Kaplan |
Alright, let’s get to it…After spending hundreds of hours evaluating each course and taking into account all these factors, I have narrowed down the list to the 5 best online real estate schools in Kentucky. Here they are!
Best Overall Online Real Estate School in Kentucky: The CE Shop

The CE Shop’s course is without a doubt my preferred online real estate course in Kentucky. If you’re unsure about which course format suits you best, this is the one I highly recommend. It offers a range of packages, allowing you to select the features that align with your learning style.
In terms of affordability, The CE Shop stands out as the most cost-effective option available. Additionally, their free five-day trial makes it the best overall choice for an online course in Kentucky. This unique offering allows you to experience the classes firsthand before making any commitments, with no questions asked.
Plus, this is one of the courses available for our Tuition Reimbursement program, which is a big help. All you have to do is attend at least 1 interview with one of our recruiters (+ provide feedback) after passing the state exam & before joining another brokerage, and we’ll reimburse you for the entire cost of the course that you purchase from us.
While you can sign-up for the cheapest package, I’d recommend the “Premium” package just because of the added benefits it comes with. The perks of the Pass Guarantee make it worth the extra cost, because it’s an insurance policy that you won’t lose money if you fail the real estate exam.
Convenience: 4.9 out 5. The user interface of The CE Shop’s course is the key factor that sets it apart. The online learning platform, which is custom-designed, is accessible on various devices such as tablets, desktops, and phones, allowing you to conveniently study on the go. This flexibility allows you to make the most of your downtime by squeezing in lessons, which is particularly helpful for those with busy schedules.
I was particularly impressed with the dashboard that greets you once you log in. It provides a clear overview of your course progress, indicating how far you’ve come and which lessons are still remaining. The ability to skip ahead or review previous material at any time adds to the convenience and adaptability of the course. Additionally, the content itself offers a well-rounded mix of videos, infographics, and interactive quizzes. This varied approach prevents monotony and distinguishes it from other Kentucky real estate schools that rely primarily on text-based materials.
Pass Rate: 4.8 out 5. The CE Shop has a really good pass rate amongst Kentucky students! Kentucky is one of the few states that has a pretty big drop off between the national and state portion. 89% go on to pass the national portion and 71% pass the state portion of the exam after taking The CE Shop’s course. These results far exceed the state averages of 67% for the national portion and 49% for the state portion. While other providers may withhold their pass rate information, they are very open about the pass rates each year.
Course Duration: 4.6 out of 5. The Kentucky real estate course is relatively short at just 96-hours. However, some people want to know up front how quickly they’ll be able to power through the course. Or, they want to feel assured they’ll have plenty of time to complete it if they run into issues or get busy.
Fortunately, The CE Shop offers a flexible extension policy to accommodate your needs. Initially, the course expiration is set at 6 months from the date of purchase. However, there is a complimentary one-month extension available, giving students extra time at no additional cost. Following this initial extension, there is a significant price increase.
For any subsequent reactivation or extension beyond the seventh month, The CE Shop implements a fee structure. Each 30-day extension incurs a charge of 20% of the current retail price of the course. This policy allows students to continue their learning journey with the necessary flexibility, while also ensuring that the course remains accessible and up-to-date.
Support: 4.7 out of 5. The support team at The CE Shop is highly commendable and provides around the clock assistance. While, like any team, they have their strengths and weaknesses, they are available seven days a week through phone, chat, and email. This is much better than the service provided by most other online schools, and I found that the people I spoke with over the phone were really helpful in giving me a detailed list of what to do next.
In situations where they didn’t have an answer (course content mainly), the support team would take down my information and promise that I would hear back within a day or two. At first, I was worried I wouldn’t hear back at all, but an instructor reached out the next day and offered to go over any questions I had about the exam.
Refund Policy: 4.7 out of 5. The most significant advantage of The CE Shop is undoubtedly their 5-day free trial. This recently introduced program allows students to enroll and explore the course without requiring any credit card information upfront. It’s a remarkable offering that sets them apart from other real estate schools in Kentucky, as no other course comes close to providing this opportunity.
However, when looking only at the refund policy, The CE Shop is relatively standard. There is nothing special about it. Within the first month of enrollment, you are eligible for a full refund, provided that you haven’t completed more than half of the course. This is pretty standard, and other schools like Colibri Real Estate offer similar.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, if I could only recommend one course in Kentucky, it would be The CE Shop. It’s simple to navigate, and will help to prepare you for the real estate exam. I’d suggest taking a look at the Premium package because the extra perks like the pass guarantee make it a better overall value. It also comes with career resource books written by experts, and business building courses which are a huge help even after you pass the test and begin your new career.
- Comes with 5-day free trial
- Practice tests are unlimited
- Built to study on the go
- More students pass the exam than any other real estate school in Kentucky
- Interface can be glitchy
Most Flexible Online Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate’s course has the best refund policy in Kentucky, bar none. They offer a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, a course swap option, and a chance to demo the student dashboard before paying. If you are wavering back and forth about whether or not real estate school is the right path for you, then this is the I’d pick. It gives you the best chance of getting your money back if you change your mind.
When it comes to price, it’s definitely on the higher end of the spectrum, but there are four packages ranging in price ($408-$618) to choose from, which means you can add as many features as you want to. There are also almost always discounts and sales going on, which is a huge help.
Convenience: 4.6 out 5. No matter which package you choose, Colibri offers interactive course content. All four packages provide study guides and coaching videos sourced from Buffini & Company. These videos offer valuable real-world examples, illustrating industry situations and addressing common questions. With a standalone value of $150, these videos serve as an excellent complement to the course material.
For those seeking the best test preparation experience, access to live Q&A sessions, or simulated exams, upgrading to one of the more premium options is necessary. While the most affordable course option will still suffice, the choice ultimately depends on your preferred learning style.
Without a doubt, my favorite part of Colibri is the “readiness assessment.” This feature provides an evaluation of your exam readiness, assigning a score from 1 to 10. It serves as a valuable tool in determining whether you should continue studying or if you are ready to proceed with signing up for the exam. The readiness assessment adds an extra layer of confidence and guidance to your exam preparation journey.
Pass Rate: 4.2 out 5. Colibri’s pass rate amongst Kentucky students is higher than the state average. About 73% of Colibri students go on to pass the state exam, and they’ve helped more than 520,000 aspiring agents get their real estate license in Kentucky. That being said, it’s not the highest pass rate on our list of schools, so you can certainly find a school (for a cheaper price) that will prepare you for the test in a more interactive way.
Course Duration: 4.5 out of 5. While the Kentucky pre-licensing course can be completed in just 96 hours, some people prefer to have extra time available in case of unexpected busyness. Colibri offers the option to extend your course access by choosing from 7, 30, or 60-day extensions, with prices increasing for longer durations. Additionally, there is a “retake” option available, providing a $25 discount if you decide to start the course over. Compared to other schools, Colibri’s policy is relatively generous, allowing students the flexibility to manage their course timeline. It’s important to note that the initial course access provided by Colibri is valid for 6 months. Beyond this period, you would need to consider extending your course access to continue your studies.
Support: 4.6 out of 5. Colibri has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most reliable online real estate education providers, and their commitment to customer support further validates this recognition. They offer multiple avenues to connect with a real person through different tabs on their platform. Whether you need help with enrollment or general support, they have dedicated phone lines for each purpose. Additionally, their “live education specialist” is always available for immediate assistance via live chat, responding promptly within seconds and offering a great list of resources.
Refund Policy: 4.6 out of 5. Colibri stands out as an excellent choice for individuals who value the flexibility of refund options. They have many safeguards in place to make sure that you don’t risk losing all of your money. Specifically, if you enroll in their self-paced online courses, which is the most popular, you have the opportunity to receive a 100% refund within a week if you are dissatisfied with the course. Even if you haven’t started the course yet, you can request a full refund within a month of enrollment.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: I would recommend Colibri’s Kentucky pre-licensing course. For aspiring agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Ultimate Learning package. The extra perks like the career success tools, the coaching videos, and the CompuCram Exam Prep make it a great value that will help you find success long after you finish your real estate course.
- Live Q&A chat available
- Very flexible scheduling
- Can pick and choose features
- Checkout process can be confusing
- Study resources cost extra
- Interface glitchy
Most Affordable Real Estate School (The CE Shop): Tuition Reimbursement

We’ve built the most affordable way for you to get your Real Estate License. All you have to do is attend at least 1 interview with one of our recruiters after passing the state exam & before joining another brokerage, and we’ll reimburse you for the entire cost of The CE Shop course that you purchase from us.
That’s right – we’ll reimburse you whether you choose to join our team or not (but we hope you do!). About 50% of our tuition reimbursement graduates choose to work for our team after interviewing with us. The other 50% of our tuition reimbursement students that choose to join another brokerage still get their course costs fully reimbursed.
Why are we the only real estate company that reimburses your course costs even if you don’t join our brokerage? There are a few key reasons that we’ve decided to set our program this way:
- Our 50% join rate is way higher than the industry average for recruiting, and we really want agents to be excited when they join us, which only works if they love what we have to offer. Most brokerages only want experienced agents, but we specialize in helping new agents build their real estate careers from the ground up. We have hundreds of agent training courses that range from helping you build out your social media presence to learning the ins and outs of commercial real estate; we have mentors dedicated to new agents to help them through their first sales; we even have a dedicated coach to help with mindset and motivation; and more. So we don’t need to force new agents to join our team to save a few bucks.
- If you choose to join another team, we also hope you change your mind someday and come back to join us. Many agents reach out to us months or years after trying another brokerage first, and this gives us a chance to keep the door open for the 50% of new agents who don’t join us immediately. If we can’t be the right brokerage for you right now, then we still hope to be the right brokerage for you some day in the future.
- Too many real estate organizations fail to live up to their promises. We’re not perfect, but we really try to follow-through on every promise we make, including our tuition reimbursement promise.
At the end of the day, we’re betting on you becoming a great agent, and if we can make obtaining your real estate license more affordable, then hopefully you’ll return the favor and join us after graduation or come back to us any time you’re ready for a new brokerage. It’s that simple, and we’re happy to invest in you.
How does the reimbursement work?
Email us (support@agentadvice.com) once you receive confirmation from the state that you’ve passed the state exam, and one of our recruiters will reach out to you to get to know you and share any and every thing you’ll want to know to decide if our brokerage is the right fit for you.
We’ll schedule the interview at a time that works for you. All you have to do is attend the interview and provide a little feedback to our support team, and our support team will reimburse your credit card for the amount that you’ve paid us within 2 business days. All in, it’s about an hour commitment between the interview and feedback. No other strings attached.
Tip: If you’ve already started a different course at your own expense, or prefer to pick your own school at your own expense, we’d still love to interview you. Just reach back out when you’re licensed, and we can connect you with our hiring team, however, we’re unable to reimburse your course costs at this time unless you purchase the course directly from us.
AgentAdvice.com is not the provider of any courses, and all state certifications, ongoing support questions, etc. will be provided by and fulfilled directly through the school.
Think you have what it takes to be a successful real estate agent?
“When I interview people who have just passed their real estate course, I’m looking for agents that meet a couple of characteristics. If you have these characteristics, it will determine who is successful and who is not in real estate.
It’s not an easy industry. If it was easy, we’d all be rich. First, I’m looking for agents that have a vision for what they want to be, people who want more than what they have. Now, I’m not talking about money, motivated people necessarily. If money motivates you that’s fine, but in most cases, money’s not the motivator.
I am looking for agents that are in touch with their motivations to grow. Is it having a house for your family? Is it providing an education for your children? Is it providing security for your future retirement? It doesn’t matter, I’m looking for agents that have a vision, and are passionate about taking care of present and future concerns, whatever they are. So that’s number one: ambition.
Number two is looking for people that have a little bit of courage. This business requires courage. In my experience, having now been in conversations with well over a thousand agents over the last 18 months, and recruited more than a hundred, there’s one characteristic successful agents have. They don’t shrink from a challenge. They don’t, they still take action even if they don’t know all of the answers to all of the questions. They know that if they get faced with a question that they don’t really answer to, they know they can find the answer.
I’m looking for people that are ambitious, are courageous, and then finally are ready to grow. I want to help give people the opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
Usually, it’s not easy, and many times there are tears, and sweat, and frustration involved, but you go through that because you are so ambitious and in love with the future you’re trying to create. That passion for your future, it gives you courage to press through the hard times. So if you’re ambitious, courageous, and you’re ready to grow, and you think being in a conversation with a guy like me might be helpful to your future then let’s get you the tuition reimbursement you deserve!”

Agent Advice Success Stories:

Terrica C.
New Keller Williams Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient
“I always wanted to become a real estate agent, and finally decided to take the next step. Getting started with my course was easy. Agent Advice just sent me a link, and I did the whole thing online. I finished the class, now I just need to get scheduled for the state test. I would definitely recommend Agent Advice to anyone looking to get their license, especially if they’re wanting to do it for free.”
Rachel K.
New Real Estate Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient
“I was moving from Tennessee to Florida, so I was considering a career change. I always thought real estate might be something I’d be good at, so I connected with someone at Agent Advice and decided to take the course. It was easy to follow and understand, and the course I chose kept me interested. It didn’t take long for me to finish the class and I passed my state exam on the first try! I then reached out again to Agent Advice and set up an interview with a tuition reimbursement sponsor, and got my money back that same day. All in all, it was really simple and easy.”
Marcus W.
New Real Estate Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient
“The entire process was seamless, and the communication from the very beginning was great. When I first came across Agent Advice I had lots of questions, but I was able to get in touch with someone right away who helped explain the process from start to finish. Once I completed the course and set up an interview with a brokerage, they stopped the payments immediately. I also enjoyed the subscription payment option that Agent Advice has. It gave me the flexibility and motivated me to finish the course quickly. I’m still deciding on which brokerage is the right fit for me, but I enjoyed getting to interview with someone so that I could ask questions about what the day-to-day would look like at that company.”
Best Continuing Education in Kentucky: CE Shop

The CE Shop is hands down the easiest online provider to fulfill your continuing education requirements. The state of Kentucky requires all licensed agents to do 6 hours of continuing education every 2 years. Most agents are looking for a quick solution to knock these out, so CE Shop is your best bet.
The price point is slightly higher than other providers, but the convenience is what sets them apart. They also have several continuing education packages to choose from, so you can find the right mix of courses for you. For all of these reasons, The CE Shop is the best continuing education course in Kentucky.
Convenience: 4.8 out 5. The CE Shop’s continuing education courses are all online. I also really appreciate the custom-designed online learning platform that is easy to access on a tablet or phone. This allowed me to access the course material on the go, which made a huge difference in how efficient I was with my time.
Reporting is also a major thing to consider when you’re trying to finish your continuing education. Many agents wait until the last minute, so you want to find a provider that will immediately report your completed hours to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission. The CE Shop has a policy that they will mark your hours as complete within 24 hours. You will also immediately receive a certificate upon completion, students can access an electronic copy of the certificate for a minimum of five years.
Pass Rate: 5 out 5. Passing a final exam is not required to receive continuing education credit in Kentucky, so The CE Shop system is set up so that final exams can be passed with a 0% passing score. You just need to complete the hours to receive your credit.
Course Duration: 4.7 out of 5. You must complete 6 hours every 2 years to keep your license active in the state of Kentucky. Course expiration dates vary by course but are generally one year after you purchase the package or course. Each individual course will have an expiration date listed in your CE Shop account.
Support: 4.5 out of 5. I used the live chat feature, and the technical team quickly answered my questions and resolved the issue within minutes. However, it’s worth noting that direct access to instructors is not available. In the event of encountering a problem with the course materials, the support team pledges to provide a response within two days. Waiting for two days can feel like quite a stretch if you find yourself stuck in the middle of a lesson.
Refund Policy: 4.1 out of 5. The CE Shop doesn’t offer refunds for continuing education courses. Luckily, the price point is pretty low, so you won’t be out a ton of money.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I highly recommend The CE Shop’s Kentucky continuing education courses. They are very quick and convenient, and provide a lot of flexibility. Agents are required to take 3 “law” or mandatory hours mixed with 3 elective hours. That gives you the freedom to decide which courses are most important to you when picking your elective courses. You can choose courses about negotiations, fair housing, veteran housing, and financing.
- Lots of elective courses available
- Don't need to pass an exam
- Certificate provided immediately after completion
- Interface can be glitchy
- No refund policy
Best Test Prep in Kentucky: PrepAgent

PrepAgent is designed to help future agents pass the real estate exam. They offer online group webinars, online training tools, e-books, and thousands of state-specific practice questions.
I looked at dozens of different test prep vendors, including the ones that “come with” the courses – and frankly, all fall short of PrepAgent.
They are constantly updating their content as the exams change. While the questions cannot be the exact same as the real estate exam, PrepAgent strives to keep their content as close to what the exam will provide as possible. The material in the practice exams is written to reflect what an agent would need to know to pass the actual exam.
Convenience: 4.8 out 5. PrepAgent offers multiple ways for the students to study. My favorite feature is that you can focus on your weaknesses with category-specific tests, or go straight for the master exam preparation. Interactive flashcards and study guides are available to quiz yourself with, as well as worksheets to help track and remember all the information that has been provided.
PrepAgent also offers explainer videos to help keep the learning process fun. If students opt for the premium package they have access to live online group webinars 7 times a week with a variety of topics that cover the real estate exam. There is a live chat as well as recorded webinars to watch in the future in case you miss one.
In addition to practice exams and up-to-date information on the real estate exam, PrepAgent also offers one-on-one tutoring for those that feel extra individualized attention may help them to better prepare. The tutors help focus on the struggles students are having with absorbing the material and helping to implement tips and study tricks to prepare for the exam. Students can schedule multiple sessions if necessary.
Refund Policy: 4.1 out of 5. With PrepAgent, you really can’t fail. If you aren’t satisfied with PrepAgent, their packages are covered with a 100% money-back guarantee. This sets them apart from some of their competitors, who have much more restrictive refund policies.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I highly recommend PrepAgents’s Kentucky test prep. A feature I really appreciated is the ability to listen to the information in their car. I also applaud the instructors for their relatable way of teaching and how easy they made it to retain the information taught. Overall students seem very pleased with PrepAgent and their teaching methods, with many having stated they were able to pass the real estate exam on the first try using all the tools offered.
- Several packages to choose from
- Can get 1:1 tutoring
- Audio recordings available
- Exam prep only available for a limited time
- Online only
Not Recommended
We had a high bar in picking the best of the best real estate schools in Kentucky. These schools didn’t make the cut (frankly, they’re not as great as our top picks – but were also evaluated).
Kaplan

Kaplan’s course is one of the hardest to sit through in Kentucky, but it can get the job done if you really need it to. Because it’s so boring and there are few redeeming qualities, so I’d say you’re better off choosing another provider.
It’s also more expensive than other courses out there with few added benefits to make up for the high price point. It is not known for being very interactive, so there are definitely better options that will probably hold your attention more.
Convenience: 2 out 5. The Kaplan courses are built on dated technology. It’s hard to navigate, glitchy, and slow. Even figuring out what courses to purchase gives you a headache.
Pass Rates: 3.8 out of 5: Kaplan’s pass rate amongst Kentucky students is pretty lackluster. While it’s not the lowest pass rate by any means, you can certainly find a course that will give you more confidence. About 47% of Kaplan students go on to pass the state exam, which is significantly lower than the 67% average.
Kaplan does offer a PassProtection policy that allows students who enrolled in the Live or Live Online classes to retake their course if they fail the Kentucky state exam. That’s great if you happen to fail, but why not choose a course that’s going to give you the knowledge to pass on the first try?
Course Duration: 3.2 out of 5: Although the Kentucky real estate course only takes 96 hours to complete, some people want to know they have an extension 0ption upfront in case they need more time. Kaplan’s access policy is pretty limited. You only have 6 months to finish from the date of purchase before it expires.
Another thing to note is that students take a longer time to complete Kaplan courses than any other online real estate school providers. I chalk this up to the monotonous content, and the repetitive lesson plans.
Support: 1 out of 5. In my test purchases, I’ve experienced Kaplan support taking up to 3 business days before responding. All other schools I’ve tested typically respond within 1-2 hours & never longer than 24 hours during Monday-Friday.
Refund Policy: 0 out of 5. On 3 separate occasions, AgentAdvice students were declined a qualifying refund for Kaplan course purchases, and in each case, we (AgentAdvice) had to step in to personally provide the refund to these students after Kaplan declined to refund the courses or offer a replacement course. We no longer buy courses from Kaplan for this reason, and recommend that any student considering a Kaplan Real Estate course purchase do so expecting not to get a refund if they change their mind.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I can’t recommend Kaplan’s Kentucky pre-licensing course. For aspiring agents, I’d suggest taking a look at one of The CE Shop packages instead. The interactive capabilities will seem like such a breath of fresh air compared to the monotonous text-based content Kaplan offers. The 96% student satisfaction rate blows Kaplan’s sub par courses out of the water, and their updated test prep is such a great value.
- PassProtection Retake Policy
- Multiple packages
- Only 6 months of access
- Glitchy interface
- Dated content and technology
- VERY confusing checkout process
Our Methodology:
I ranked and rated each school on 8 different factors to come up with the very best real estate schools in Kentucky. Our full guide on how we rank courses is available here, but the short version of factors considered are:
- Course value
- How easy the courses were to navigate
- If there were any technical glitches
- Return policies
- Overall performance of each school as a whole
- Reviews directly from agents who’ve attended the school
There are dozens of options (some of them not so great!), so we’ve taken the work off your plate by narrowing down the list to only the ones that scored high enough. Whether you’re dedicating yourself full time to your new career, are looking to fly through the courses quickly to get them over with, or are busy and looking to work through them when you have downtime, here is a list of the best online real estate schools in Kentucky you should consider.