The first step in becoming a licensed real estate agent is going back to school. But, as a quick internet search will demonstrate, discerning which of the hundreds of pre-licensure training schools are legit and prestigious can be a challenge.
That’s why Fortune sought to create a list of the best real estate schools—to in part help the next generation of agents get the training they need to help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. After extensive research, AceableAgent was crowned the distinction of “best overall” for 2024.
AceableAgent, which expanded into the real estate space around 2018, distinguishes itself as being for the “modern student.” And they’re not lying—just look at their website and user experience, which feature a clean website, popular mobile app, and even an AI-powered virtual instructor.
“I think the combination of the unique curriculum along with all the different activities, and the fact that you can take it with you from any device anywhere, anytime, is what separates it for a lot of people,” says Matt Hernandez, senior product manager at AceableAgent and former commercial real estate agent.
If the real estate world is calling your name, and you are considering enrolling in one of AceableAgent’s training programs, Fortune has some of the further details you need to know.
AceableAgent’s program overview
AceableAgent offers pre-licensure training for those looking to get their real estate license in 13 states, including eight out of the 10 largest states by population. While the most basic packages differ in price state-by-state, the programs include the minimum hour of state-approved training, 1,000 practice exam questions, and instructor support. Its more advanced offerings include access to its exam prep packages, which consist of private tutoring, live webinars and Q&As, plus more practice questions.
AceableAgent’s state-by-state offerings:
- Pre-licensure training: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington
- Continuing education: Georgia, New York, and Texas
- Post-licensing training: Florida, Georgia, and Texas
AceableAgent’s curriculum and instructors
All real estate schools have to largely mold their content and curriculum around standards set by each state—which is why there is often frustration that real estate schools do not always teach everything an agent needs to know, or know how to do, when it comes to the day-to-day.
However, Hernandez says that Aceable Agent’s pre-licensure course tries to set agents for success through real-world training.
“To the degree that we can without adding more time than it's worth for students to the courses, we try to incorporate some of those things that maybe are not requirements of a pre-licensed curriculum, but are requirements of being a successful agent, so that students are starting to build those skills while they're still in the pre license course,” he says.
Some examples include contract walkthroughs, sales skills, and negotiation tactics.
While Hernandez admits that the courses’ instructional writers do not have a background in real estate, they work hand-in-hand with Aceable Agent’s instructional designers, who do have subject matter expertise. Hernandez himself was part of the latter group for some time.
“We have a great team of instructional writers who craft our content in a way where it's delivered in a more informal tone and it doesn't feel like a dry textbook,” Hernandez says. “So we do a lot to make the information more digestible, more approachable.”
AceableAgent’s transparency
Aceable Agent is one of the most transparent of any of the large online real estate schools. Look no other than its pass rates, which it voluntarily publishes online. Its overall national rate is 91%. While not all state-level data is available (only Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Texas), Hernandez says they have nothing “to hide or be embarrassed about with our pass rates.”
When looking at Texas, which is one of the only states that publicly posts exam pass rates for all real estate education providers, AceableAgent does have the highest sales agent exam success rate among leading competitors—at a rate of 68.7%, which is 11.5% than the state average.
View this interactive chart on Fortune.com
The company has a “Ace or Don’t Pay” guarantee, which means that those who complete all hours of the pre-licensure course, take the exam within 90 days of completion, and purchase the course directly through Aceable, a refund can be requested. Moreover, individuals who do not pass can also retake or review materials before attempting the exam again—at no added cost.
Aceable is also very upfront with pricing and support. Students can contact the company via phone, text, or email— or even chat with a 24/7 virtual assistant.
AceableAgent’s student experience and outcomes
Imad Alyafi recently completed a AceableAgent pre-licensure course and says he was initially drawn to the school based on the presentation of the courses as well as the guarantee of a full refund if he did not end up passing the final licensure exam.
“The program gave me a clear background on real estate, what it takes to be a successful agent, and a good understanding of the laws and the overall real estate environment. I learned a lot from the courses and I feel like they set me up for success to be an agent,” he tells Fortune.
Alyafi adds he would like to see AceableAgent expand upon the state-by-state information in the course in order to have a better understanding of specific state laws and practices. But overall, he suggests anyone interested in real estate school to explore your options and find what’s best convenient with their schedule.
More than skills, I think the information regarding rules around ethics, advertising, and fair housing law is extremely helpful. Those are things that one who is unfamiliar with real estate would never know, and carry some fairly large consequences.
Andrew Baker similarly recently completed his pre-licensure training and says he found the AceableAgent course's detailed information on subjects like ethics, advertising, and fair housing law to be very helpful.
"The course content was conversational at times, it was comedic at times, but yet, the necessary information was all there," Baker tells Fortune. "Engagement is crucial in online education; I’ve taken a number of online courses and, in my opinion, there are very few that are able to be as relatable, while maintaining the academic integrity that this course did."
He adds that while the content was "downright likable," some of the features are a bit overdone and he wishes the transition to taking the required exam was a bit less messy.
Baker was initially attracted to the program based on its affordable price point as compared to other in-person and online courses. Plus, he says, it was highly recommended on the realtor and real estate sub-Reddits.
"It’s a serious commitment. It’s not a hobby. It’s a job or a career like anything else. A competitive sales job, at that. If you’re going to do it, take it seriously," Baker says.
Is AceableAgent’s real estate school worth it?
If you live in one of the 13 states in which pre-licensure training is available—and you would thrive in an online and modern learning environment, then AceableAgent is a very safe choice. The company emphasizes student success so much that it offers extensive refund and exam retake policies, which almost ensure that those who are truly motivated to get their license are able to. Plus, students can learn practically anywhere through its innovative mobile app.
There are also a number of ways students can receive additional exam preparation support, such as practice questions, private tutoring, and live sessions. From a cost standpoint, its programs are on the more affordable end of the scale, and there are even financing options available. All combined together, AceableAgent is helping to bring online real estate education into a modern era.
Frequently asked questions about AceableAgent
What is the pass rate for AceableAgent Texas?
AceableAgent’s pass rate for the Texas sales agent exam is 68.7%, which is about 11.2% than the overall state rate. Between the beginning of June 2022 and the end of May 2024, about 9,000 individuals took the Texas exam through AceableAgent and about 6,200 passed.
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
How long does it take to complete AceableAgent Texas?
Texas requires a minimum of 180 hours of coursework in order to sit for the Texas sales agent exam. Aceable Agent divides the coursework into six 30-hour online courses, which focus on topics like real estate finance, promulgated contracts, and law of agency.
What is the pass rate for AceableAgent Texas?
AceableAgent’s pass rate for the Texas sales agent exam is 68.7%, which is about 11.2% than the overall state rate. Between the beginning of June 2022 and the end of May 2024, about 9,000 individuals took the Texas exam through AceableAgent and about 6,200 passed.
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
What happens if you fail an AceableAgent exam?
If you fail the final exam as part of the AceableAgent pre-license training, you can simply retake it and/or contact their team for additional support since it may differ depending on your state. If you fail the state licensure exam, AceableAgency also has a policy allowing you to request a refund or simply retake for no extra charge.
How long does it take to complete AceableAgent Texas?
Texas requires a minimum of 180 hours of coursework in order to sit for the Texas sales agent exam. Aceable Agent divides the coursework into six 30-hour online courses, which focus on topics like real estate finance, promulgated contracts, and law of agency.
What is the pass rate for AceableAgent Texas?
AceableAgent’s pass rate for the Texas sales agent exam is 68.7%, which is about 11.2% than the overall state rate. Between the beginning of June 2022 and the end of May 2024, about 9,000 individuals took the Texas exam through AceableAgent and about 6,200 passed.
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
