A licensed real estate agent earns an average annual salary of $69,564 in Arkansas. However, obtaining your initial real estate license in Arkansas is no easy task.
You need to learn about real estate concepts and meet practical test and coursework requirements to fulfill the state-mandated criteria. But most importantly, you must choose the right real estate classes in Arkansas to help you do all of the above.
Many real estate schools in Arkansas offer extensive, 60-hour salesperson coursework mandated by the state. However, few provide expert guidance from industry leaders or well-designed practice tests to help you ace the real estate license exam.
We compare and discuss the best realtor schools in Arkansas to help you achieve your goal of becoming a real estate agent.
The CE Shop
The most impressive feature of the CE Shop’s courses is its comprehensive real estate program, which extends beyond the licensing exam and course prep. This program prepares you for the real-world industry by focusing on professional development topics such as:
- Lead generation
- Business planning
- Negotiation tactics
- Latest real estate industry trends and regulations
The course prep for the exam is detailed, providing applicants with access to crucial exam prep materials. The CE Shop offers an engaging study format with several interactive features. With expert-designed course materials, you can access the latest information from all the right industry sources.
Some other compelling features of the CE shop include:
- Prelicensing course
- Post-licensing course and continuing education for licensed real estate professionals
- Thorough exam prep
- Repetition of key topics in the material for a better understanding
Despite high praise for this course, some students lament the absence of live instructors and local industry experts.
The pricing is also a bit steep. Even so, you can choose from its many prelicensing packages to get your money’s worth:
Course Bundle at $369: This bundle includes a mandated 60-hour prelicensing course. Additionally, students receive course and study materials like flashcards, a real-estate glossary, and business e-books.
Standard Package at $439: Besides course bundle inclusions, the standard package offers exclusive Exam Prep Edge tools designed by the CE Shop. Students also get a Pass Guarantee as part of the package.
Business-building Value Package at $469: This package includes all features of the Standard Package, plus a comprehensive business-building course.
Premium Package at $649: With the Premium Package, you can enjoy all features of the above packages, along with:
- An 18-hour post-licensing course
- Printed course textbook
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Kaplan Real Estate Education offers one of the best online real estate classes in Arkansas. If you’re preparing for the Arkansas real estate exam, you will find a detailed prelicensing course at Kaplan. Those who’ve already passed the prelicensing exam can benefit from Kaplan’s continuing education material. It also provides:
- Full exam prep
- Broker prelicensing
Kaplan has an impressive resource library that students can access to study videos, practice exam tests, and interactive coursework. They adopt inclusive learning styles so more students can benefit. Students can choose from live classes in a classroom format or regular live online courses.
If passing the Arkansas Real Estate License Exam is your goal, you’re better off opting for its $99 test package, which offers:
- Arkansas real estate QBank material, which allows you to practice full-length simulated exams
- Explainers to the right answers
- Access to specific exam topics
- Tool for performance tracking
Many students seek professional development resources to help them advance their real estate careers. Kaplan offers specific tools directed toward this as well.
While online access to Kaplan’s courses is convenient, some students claim that accessing the course via mobile is difficult. Others have pointed out that the interface can use some improvement.
Colibri Real Estate School
If you’re looking for affordable Arkansas real estate classes, Colibri Real Estate School is the place to go. Colibri provides prelicensing education through live-stream sessions. The best part is that students can choose from schedules that best suit their needs, whether during the day or on weekends.
Colibri’s lessons are self-paced, allowing you to study at your convenience. You can even track your progress through a next-generation dashboard.
Here are four packages you can choose from at Colibri:
The Basics at $361: If you are a self-starter, this will help you excel in your real estate exam. Although basic, this package includes a 60-hour prelicensing course and three real estate study manuals. You also have the support of a state-approved instructor.
You can talk to a local expert instructor via call or email, which is not readily available at other schools.
Exam Preparation Package at $456: This includes all the core elements of the basic package but notably offers a CompuCram Exam Prep. With this, you have access to all the bells and whistles of the course material, including:
- Flashcards
- Readiness assessment
- Audio review guides
- Simulated exams
The coursework also includes lessons on how to prevent common exam blunders. You will have access to interactive tools that take the load off of your coursework. You can access your course anytime and anywhere due to its mobile-friendly format.
Lastly, this package includes a “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee”. This means you get a refund on your original purchase if you don’t pass the exam.
Exam Preparation Plus at $527: Aside from the features of the previous packages, this one provides live interaction access. You have access to the Exam Crammer series, which includes six one-hour webinars to help you prepare for your exam. Additionally, skilled local educators provide live Q&A sessions.
Ultimate Learning Package at $642: This package includes all of the benefits of the previous packages, as well as a Career Booster Pack. You’ll get a year of access to this bundle, which includes:
- Job leads for new agents
- Action-plan templates
- More than 20 “how-to” real estate videos
Prep Agent
Full prelicensing courses in Arkansas are a dime a dozen, but few focus exclusively on the prep materials. As you know, prep test materials are integral to real estate coursework, so having access to good ones is essential for passing the exam.
Prep Agent is a popular real estate school known for its excellent prep materials. It offers a 100% money-back guarantee, inspiring more confidence in its offerings. Signing up for one of its packages grants you access to both national and state-specific practice questions.
Prep Agent is also the more affordable option if you need a hyperfocused practice exam set. You can choose from these three options:
Basic at $59: You receive a week’s access to practice tests. This is a good option for when you need a time-intensive revision for an upcoming exam.
Deluxe at $79: You will receive audio and video courses, a test prep eBook, and flashcards with this package. You can access it for a month.
Premium at $99: You can enjoy the benefits of the Deluxe package, along with live webinars and 100 hours of recorded webinar sessions.
Arkansas Real Estate School
The Arkansas Real Estate School promotes self-paced learning. It offers one of the best online real estate classes in Arkansas. It has both a virtual classroom-like setup and interactive live sessions. Livestream classes offer targeted lessons. You can also clarify any questions you may have with your live instructor.
If you enjoy learning in a classroom setting but do not wish to attend one physically, this school provides the best of both worlds.
This school’s courses are based on a practical approach that emphasizes the latest tools required in the real estate industry. This makes their courses more engaging and relevant to the actual world. Aside from these resources, it provides regular courses for:
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Exam prep
- Broker prelicensing
- Continuing education
Depending on whether you prefer livestream or online lessons, you can select one of these packages:
- Basic Principles Sales Agent Package at $450
- Self-paced Online Package at $395
While the school receives rave reviews from students, it seems to lack a more extensive and self-paced exam prep curriculum to help pass the exam.
Lindsey School of Real Estate
The Lindsey School of Real Estate provides a thorough, 60-hour prelicensing course in both online and live classroom settings. The online course is self-paced, so you can log in at your convenience. The live classroom option is available via Zoom, offering a real-time atmosphere and peer engagement.
Both options will cost you $395, but note that the exam prep material isn’t a part of the course. A combined course bundle and the exam prep material will cost you $450.
The Lindsey School is also one of the few schools offering broker licensing along with pre- and post-licensing and continuing education.
Here is the pricing structure for various licensing courses:
- Post-licensing at $180: This features three 6-hour courses with instructor access. You can choose from both online and live-stream options.
- Broker pre-licensing at $495: Also available via live Zoom or in a self-paced online format
- Continued education at $70: Stay current with trends and concepts in the real estate industry with this broker and salesperson education course.
- Exam Prep at $75: Exam prep material for all licensing exams is available at an additional price and includes a QBank.
Mid-South Real Estate Academy
Located in North Little Rock, AR, the Mid-South Real Estate Academy is one of the best real estate schools in Arkansas. It is an AREC-accredited school renowned for being one of the more affordable places for real estate education in the state. The school provides three study formats to choose from:
- Self-guided/self-study coursework to complete at your own pace
- Livestream and online courses that cost between $350 to $455
- In-person classes at their Little Rock facility
For live courses, they arrange to ship you your textbooks or have them picked up at its Little Rock office. Livestream classes also allow for peer and instructor engagement, making it a more interactive experience.
If you opt for the self-guided course, you’ll be privy to an exam prep bundle that includes QBanks, flashcards, and practice test materials.
Another impressive feature of this school is that it offers live weekend classes. If you work during weekdays but wish to complete your prelicensing studies on weekends, this package can help you fast-track it over just three weekends.
The Mid-South Academy is also recognized as a realtor school in Arkansas, providing broker licensing courses.
If you want to be a licensed agent without spending a lot, enroll in this accredited school and complete your coursework for under $500.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Arkansas
The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) is the governing body that regulates the Arkansas Real Estate Licensing Exam. To obtain a license to practice real estate in Arkansas, you must complete the following prelicensing criteria:
- Complete state-mandated 60-hour prelicensing education
- Pass the course final exam with a score of 70% or above
- Complete a state-ordered background and criminal check
- Send in a completed application form with the fee within 90 days of passing the exam
- Pass the Arkansas Real Estate License Exam
- Apply for your real estate license once you pass
The state also mandates licensed real estate professionals to complete continuing education requirements. This includes dedicating at least 7 hours of study annually. License renewals are subject to the fulfillment of this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How hard is the real estate exam in Arkansas?
Dedicated study hours and exam practice tests are a must to pass the Arkansas real estate exam. The level of difficulty is subjective. It requires applicants to have a good grasp of concepts like:
- State-specific regulations
- Property ownership
- Legal concepts
- Contracts
2. What does the Arkansas Real Estate Exam comprise?
The Arkansas Real Estate Exam comprises two distinct sections:
- The national component: 85 questions
- Arkansas State law section: 40 questions
The broker licensing exam features just one portion with 130 questions.
3. How many times can you take the Arkansas real estate exam?
You can take the Arkansas real estate exam as many times as you need to pass. There is no limit on the number of failed attempts. However, you must schedule and pass the exam within six months of completing the mandated 60-hour course.
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Advance Your Real Estate Career With the Right School
One can’t deny the role of a good school in real estate education. Only with access to industry experts and practice materials can you ace the exam and realize your dream of being a real estate agent.
With several real estate school options vying for your attention, choosing one can be challenging. The best way to choose one is to assess which school’s learning style, curriculum, and features best align with your educational needs.
You can try and answer the following questions in your quest for the best real estate school in Arkansas:
- What is the goal of my real estate education? Is it to pass an exam, stay updated, or renew my licensing?
- Does the school’s learning style match my preferences?
- Does the school offer live online classes, webinars, or in-person classes?
- What is the USP of the school’s coursework?
- What kind of reviews has the school received from its alumni?
- Are the school’s fees within my price range?
- Does the school offer live instructor support?
- Does the school meet state-mandated coursework requirements?
- Is the school accredited?
Answering these questions during your research can help you settle on a school most aligned with your goals.
Sign up for a real estate school in Arkansas today to kickstart your career in real estate.
