Can you complete real estate broker pre-licensing courses online?

Yes, Alabama permits online completion of the 60-hour broker prelicense course through AREC-approved providers. Distance education courses must be ARELLO-certified to meet Alabama standards, and online courses are self-paced, though the prelicense course must be completed within 1 year of the start date. A proctored final exam is required, and students must score 70% or higher to pass.

Sources: AREC — Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional; AREC — Alabama Real Estate Commission FAQ.

Yes, broker pre-licensing courses can be completed online through ADRE-approved Arizona real estate schools. Arizona allows pre-licensing education to be taken in a classroom, online, or through livestream formats, as long as the school is approved by the Arizona Department of Real Estate. The 90-hour Broker Pre-licensing Course and the 9 hours of Broker Management Clinic courses are both available through online delivery from approved providers.

Sources: ADRE — Salesperson License; ADRE — Education Division.

Yes, broker pre-licensing courses can be completed online through DRE-approved private real estate schools or accredited institutions. Courses are available in both live and correspondence (independent study) formats. For correspondence courses, the DRE restricts pacing: no more than two courses may be completed in any five-week period, and a single course may not be completed in less than 2.5 weeks. Courses offered by out-of-state private schools are not acceptable unless prior approval from the California Real Estate Commissioner has been obtained. Courses taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated by a DRE-approved credentials evaluation service.

Sources: California Department of Real Estate (DRE) — Education Course Availability page.

Colorado accepts both online self-paced and in-person formats for pre-licensing education, with no mandatory live-instruction hours specified by the state. The Colorado Division of Real Estate does not set a minimum or maximum pace for course completion, unlike states such as Texas that cap daily study hours. Education must be obtained through a nationally accredited community college or university or a school approved by the Colorado Department of Private and Occupational Schools (DPOS). Applicants must obtain a certificate of completion (REC-33) from their course provider as proof of education.

Sources: CO DRE — Broker Applications, Documents and Fees; Colorado DRE — Broker License Application Requirements.

Yes, the DC Real Estate Commission's approved pre-license course list for 2023-2025 includes distance education (online) options for the 135-hour broker pre-licensing course. Approved delivery methods include both classroom and distance education formats, so applicants can choose between online and in-person instruction for the broker course.

Sources: DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission.

Yes, Florida's 72-hour broker pre-licensing course may be completed in classroom or distance education (online) environments. The course, based on the FREC Course II syllabus, is available in online self-paced, livestream, and in-person formats from state-approved providers. Course delivery and exam requirements are governed by Rule 61J2-3.008 of the Florida Administrative Code, and the end-of-course exam must be passed with at least 70%.

Sources: FL DBPR — RE Education Requirements.

Yes, both required pre-license courses can be completed online. The 60-hour Real Estate Topics course may be provided in any format, including online distance education. The 15-hour Applied Real Estate Principles course must be delivered in a classroom, through a live interactive webinar, or by online distance education, but not through correspondence or home study alone. Students who complete courses through classroom, live interactive webinar, or online distance education are not required to take a separate proctored examination for course credit. Correspondence or home study formats require a proctored final examination with a minimum 75% passing score.

Sources: IDFPR – Real Estate Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (Official Document).

Yes, all 90 hours of Indiana pre-licensing education can be completed online. The state does not limit the number of hours that can be taken through distance learning, though the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency requires a timing mechanism in online courses to ensure they cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. State-approved providers offer several formats, including self-paced online courses, instructor-led virtual classes via video conferencing, and in-person classroom options.

Sources: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) — Real Estate Licensing Information.

Maryland permits pre-licensing education to be delivered through multiple formats, including classroom instruction, online delivery via the Internet, home study, and other Commission-approved delivery systems. There are no limits on the number of broker pre-licensing hours that may be completed online. The 135-hour broker pre-licensing course, which includes a 3-hour ethics requirement, can be taken through any of these approved delivery methods.

Sources: MREC — Licensing FAQs; Maryland OneStop — Salesperson License.

Yes, but Massachusetts regulations require that more than half of the 40-hour pre-licensing course involve live instructor interaction. Board-approved schools offer the course in hybrid formats combining scheduled live online sessions with self-directed content, and some also offer fully in-person classroom options. The state's authorized real estate schools list on Mass.gov identifies all currently licensed providers.

Sources: Mass.gov — RE License Exam Guide.

Approved prelicensing providers in Michigan offer broker courses in both online and in-person formats. The 90-hour broker prelicensure requirement can be satisfied through courses offered in various hour increments that combine to reach the 90-hour total. A list of approved courses is available in the MiPLUS system under Reports, labeled "Real Estate Approved Courses Report." Course certificates are valid for 36 months from the date of completion for initial licensure.

Sources: MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Individual Broker Licensing Guide.

Yes, broker pre-licensing courses can be completed online. On the Pulse Portal at pulseportal.com, online courses are identified by "Internet/Self Study/Online" in the Instruction Method column, while classroom courses are identified by "Classroom." Approved course providers and their offerings can be searched on the Pulse Portal by selecting the Minnesota Department of Commerce as the program and Real Estate as the board.

Sources: MN Commerce — Licensing Education; MN Commerce — RE License Guide PDF.

The Nevada Real Estate Division's Form 502 lists approved pre-licensing schools that offer courses in both classroom and distance education formats, including broker-level courses such as the 45-hour Broker Management course. Distance education courses allow students to complete required broker pre-licensing coursework online, though some courses may require proctored final exams. The Broker Management course is mandatory and cannot be waived through experience, while the Broker Appraisal course can be waived with 2 years of full-time real estate experience.

Sources: Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; Nevada Administrative Code § 645.448 (via Cornell LII), confirming Nevada Revised Statutes § 645.575 (2024).

Yes, broker pre-licensing courses can be completed online in New Jersey. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission has permanently authorized online instruction, including both live-remote and on-demand formats, with on-demand courses requiring ARELLO Distance Education Certification. Broker pre-licensing courses are available in live remote and in-person formats from schools on the state's approved-education list, and the licensing exams are administered by PSI both remotely and at testing centers.

Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker; NJ DOBI — Real Estate Licensing and Education Hub.

Yes, the New York Department of State may approve computer-based and distance-learning broker pre-licensing courses, provided the school can monitor and verify student participation for the required time period. The department may also prescribe that certain subjects or hours be presented in a classroom setting. Approved qualifying education schools, including online providers, are listed on the DOS website.

Sources: NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022); NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson.

Ohio permits pre-licensing education to be completed entirely online through state-approved providers, with no mandatory in-person component for coursework. Broker pre-licensing includes the standard real estate courses plus four college-level business courses: Financial Management, Human Resources/Personnel Management, Applied Business Economics, and Business Law. These broker-specific courses must be taken at an institution of higher education that awards at least a two-year associate degree.

Sources: Ohio REPL — Broker License Requirements; Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.

Yes, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission accepts applications for both Distance Education Course Approval and Instructor-Led Course Approval, confirming that online and in-person delivery formats are both permitted. Approved education providers may offer the 240 hours of broker pre-licensing education through distance education, allowing candidates to complete coursework online. To locate approved providers, search the PALS verification system at pals.pa.gov/verify under "Facility Search" and select "Real Estate Education Provider" as the license type.

Sources: PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide.

Yes, the South Carolina Real Estate Commission approves pre-licensing courses in both online and in-person formats. Approved providers and courses are listed under Document 140 (Pre-Exam Course Provider and Courses) on the Commission's Pre-Licensing page, and a calendar of approved courses is available under Document 150. Broker pre-licensing courses (Unit IIIA and Unit IIIB) are available through Commission-approved schools that offer online delivery.

Sources: SC LLR — Real Estate FAQ; SC LLR — Real Estate CE.

Yes, the 90 hours of pre-licensing education required for Tennessee affiliate broker licensure can be completed entirely online through TREC-approved providers. The 60-hour Basic Principles course and the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates are both available in online, self-paced formats. Broker pre-licensing education, including the 30-hour Office/Broker Management course, is also available from approved providers offering online delivery.

Sources: Tennessee Code § 62-13-303 / TREC Worksheet A (May 2023).