Indiana real estate classes: 90-hour broker pre-licensing course

Indiana requires a single 90-hour broker pre-licensing course from a state-approved provider before you can sit for the real estate licensing exam. The Indiana Real Estate Commission oversees course approval, and the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) maintains the official list of approved schools. These real estate classes cover property ownership, contracts, financing, valuation, Indiana license law, and agency relationships. These topics map directly to the content areas the licensing exam tests.

Indiana's 90-hour broker pre-licensing course requirement

Indiana mandates one 90-hour qualifying course as the sole education step before a broker license application. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency^[1] confirms that no electives, additional courses, or topic-specific sub-hour allocations exist within the 90 hours.

Providers may structure the 90 hours into sections, units, or modules for delivery, but the state treats it as one qualifying course. Some providers divide the material into three 30-hour sections with an exam at the end of each section, while others organize it into 30 or more shorter units. The structure varies by provider, not by state mandate.

What the pre-licensing course covers

The pre-licensing course covers the fundamental knowledge a real estate broker needs to practice and to pass the licensing exam. Approved courses are designed to address every content area on the exam outline published in the Pearson VUE Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook^[2].

Course topics typically include:

• Introduction to the real estate profession
• Indiana license law and administrative rules
• Property ownership and forms of title
• Transfer of property and deeds
• Contracts and agency relationships
• Real estate financing and mortgages
• Property valuation and appraisal methods
• Fair housing and anti-discrimination laws
• Property management
• Real estate mathematics
• Investment and taxation
• Land use controls and zoning

The depth of each topic corresponds to its weight on the licensing exam. Contracts and agency receive the most attention because they account for the largest share of scored exam questions.

National content areas in the course syllabus

The national portion of the course syllabus covers general real estate concepts tested on 80 scored exam questions. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook^[2] breaks the national portion into eight content areas:

Contracts and agency is the largest content area at 15 scored items, followed by real estate practice at 12. The handbook also specifies 5 pretest items that do not count toward the score. Indiana transitioned from PSI to Pearson VUE as its exam vendor effective March 3, 2025, per the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency^[3], so course materials should align with the current Pearson VUE content outline rather than older PSI-era formats.

Indiana state content areas in the course syllabus

The state portion of the syllabus covers Indiana-specific real estate law and regulations tested on 50 scored exam questions. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook^[2] divides the state portion into five content areas:

Statutes and rules governing licensees is the heaviest state content area at 17 scored items. The handbook also specifies 5 to 10 pretest items that do not count toward the score.

Course formats: online, in-person, and virtual delivery

Indiana pre-licensing courses are available in three delivery formats: self-paced online, in-person classroom, and live virtual instruction.

Self-paced online courses offer the most flexibility for students with irregular schedules. In-person classroom courses provide structured meeting times and face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates. Live virtual courses combine scheduled online video sessions with self-paced coursework, offering a middle ground between structure and convenience.

Some providers allow students to switch between formats during the course. Indiana does not set a maximum time for completing the pre-licensing course; individual providers set their own access windows, which typically range from 6 months to 12 months from the date of enrollment.

Finding a state-approved pre-licensing provider

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency offers a searchable database^[3] where anyone can look up approved education providers by license type and profession. Only courses from commission-approved providers satisfy the education requirement for licensure.

Approved providers range from community colleges to specialized real estate schools to brokerage-affiliated programs. When evaluating a real estate school, consider the course format, included study materials, instructor access, and whether the package includes exam prep resources. Pearson VUE, as the state's exam vendor, does not endorse any particular pre-licensing provider^[2] or study materials.

The state does not require schools to report course completions to the PLA. Students receive a certificate of completion directly from their provider and submit it with their license application.

Pre-licensing course pricing and package options

Course tuition in Indiana ranges from approximately $399 to $985, with online self-paced options at the lower end and comprehensive packages at the higher end.

Common package features include practice exams, flashcards, study guides, math workbooks, and audio or video lessons. Some providers offer guarantees such as pass-or-refund policies or continued access to materials if a student fails the state exam. Higher-tier packages may also include post-licensing education or specialty courses.

Course completion: final exam, certificate, and exam eligibility

Most Indiana pre-licensing providers require students to pass a school-administered final exam to earn a certificate of completion. Each provider sets its own passing threshold and retake policies; some allow unlimited retakes, while others limit attempts.

The certificate of completion is the document that proves the 90-hour requirement has been met. Students must submit this certificate when applying for the broker license through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

After completing the pre-licensing course, students have one year to take and pass both the national and state portions of the licensing exam, per the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook^[2].

Next steps after completing the pre-licensing course

Once you complete the 90-hour course and receive your certificate of completion, register for the Indiana real estate broker exam through Pearson VUE. After passing the exam, submit your license application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, complete a criminal background check, and affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate your license. Within your first two years of licensure, complete 30 hours of post-licensing education, per the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency^[1].