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The 4 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Connecticut (+ 2025 License Guide)
Tech & Tools

The 4 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Connecticut (+ 2025 License Guide)

February 22, 2026 5 min listen 0 reads

Taking the leap into a real estate career in Connecticut requires completing 60 hours of mandatory prelicensing education. To help you navigate the sea of options, this guide curates the 4 most effective online real estate schools based on a rigorous analysis of their study tools, pricing, and career support. Whether you need a flexible self-paced schedule or a structured live-classroom environment, these top-tier providers are designed to help you secure your CT license in 2025.

Top Recommended Online Real Estate Schools in Connecticut

1. The CE Shop: Best for Career Resources

The CE Shop stands out as a premier choice for students who want a comprehensive transition from student to active agent. Their platform is entirely digital, making it ideal for those who prefer modern, interactive learning interfaces.

  • Pros: Includes a money-back guarantee, professional development modules in premium tiers, and live instructor access.
  • Cons: Lacks exam prep in the entry-level package and does not offer a fully independent self-paced video format.

Expert Analysis: The CE Shop excels by offering more than just the 60-hour requirement. Their "ProPath Network Builder" program helps new agents understand how to actually generate business and build referral networks immediately after passing the exam. However, students who require maximum flexibility might find the structured online format more rigid than a 100% self-study option.

2. Colibri Real Estate: Best for Continuing Education & Exam Prep

For those who have already started their journey or need to maintain their credentials, Colibri Real Estate is a power player in the Connecticut market. While they focus heavily on the post-education phase, their exam prep tools are among the best in the industry.

  • Pros: Offers live Q&A sessions with instructors, a specialized "Exam Crammer" webinar, and NAR Ethics training.
  • Cons: Currently does not provide a baseline prelicensing course for Connecticut.

Expert Analysis: Colibri is the go-to resource if you are nervous about the PSI state exam. Their readiness assessments simulate the actual testing environment to ensure you don't waste money on retakes. It is also a convenient one-stop shop for your mandatory continuing education (CE) cycles once you are licensed.

3. National Real Estate Institute: Best for Structured Live Classes

Based right in Connecticut, the National Real Estate Institute (NREI) serves students who crave the traditional classroom experience but want the convenience of staying home. They offer livestreamed sessions that mirror a physical school environment.

  • Pros: Offers weekend and evening class tracks, local Connecticut expertise, and broker-level licensing.
  • Cons: Textbooks are sold separately and basic packages are light on supplemental study aids.

Expert Analysis: If you struggle with self-discipline, NREI is your best bet. Having a set schedule for their virtual classes keeps you on track to finish your 60 hours in a predictable timeframe. They also offer coaching and professional development for an additional fee for those looking to level up their local market knowledge.

4. ListingHub.ai’s AI Listing Description Writer

While the schools above get you licensed, ListingHub.ai provides the technological edge needed once you start working. Their AI Listing Description Writer is a specialized tool designed to automate one of the most time-consuming tasks for new Connecticut agents: drafting property copy.

  • Key Features: Generates SEO-optimized descriptions for the MLS alongside tailored posts for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. It includes a URL parsing feature that can extract property data directly from active Zillow or Realtor.com links.
  • Pricing: Offers a free version allowing 5 generations per day, with credit-based upgrades for high-volume agents.
  • Best For: New agents who want to maintain a high-quality online presence across multiple channels without spending hours on copywriting.

5. Freedom Trail Realty School: Best for Reciprocity Candidates

For those living near the border or looking to work across state lines, Freedom Trail Realty School offers a unique path to a Connecticut license through Massachusetts reciprocity.

  • Pros: Allows you to get licensed in MA and apply for a CT license via reciprocity, saving time on redundant coursework.
  • Cons: Requires you to hold a Massachusetts license first and has a limited 14-day refund window.

Expert Analysis: This is a strategic choice for agents in the New England area. By taking the MA prelicensing course here, you can potentially unlock licenses in CT, RI, and NH without sitting for multiple full-length courses, effectively expanding your market reach from day one.

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Connecticut

  1. Verify Eligibility: You must be 18 years old, a legal U.S. resident, and hold a high school diploma or GED.
  2. Complete Education: Finish 60 hours of approved prelicensing coursework and pass the school's internal final exam.
  3. Pass the State Exam: Register for the PSI exam. It features 110 multiple-choice questions with a 2.75-hour time limit. You need a score of 70% or higher to pass.
  4. Submit Application: Apply to the state with your passing score and a $80 fee. You have one year from your exam date to complete this step.
  5. Background Check: Submit your background check along with a $75 processing fee.
  6. Find a Sponsoring Broker: You must affiliate with a licensed Connecticut brokerage to activate your license.

Market Insights and Statistics

Becoming an agent in the Constitution State can be lucrative. On average, Connecticut real estate agents earn approximately $75,032 annually, though top producers significantly exceed this figure. Since there is no cap on commission-based income, your success depends largely on your marketing strategy and business plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the process take?
It varies by learning style. A dedicated student can complete the 60 hours in two weeks via intensive courses, while part-time students typically finish in 2 to 3 months.

What happens if I fail the state exam?
You have unlimited attempts to pass the PSI exam within one year of your initial eligibility. Using an exam prep tool like Colibri is highly recommended to avoid the $59 retake fee.

The 4 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Connecticut (+ 2025 License Guide)
0:00 / 4:09
Host 2: Today we're covering the top five most impactful strategies and resources for launching a real estate career in Connecticut.We aren’t just looking at how to get licensed, but how to choose the right tech and education to actually succeed in the 2025 market.
Host 1: Exactly. If you’re looking for high-impact results, you have to look at The CE Shop. They’ve moved beyond just the "check the box" education.
Host 2: Let's dive into the top strategies, starting with the education phase.Most people focus only on the 60-hour requirement, but it sounds like the choice of school dictates how fast an agent actually starts making money.
Host 1: Their "ProPath Network Builder" is a standout because it addresses the biggest hurdle for new agents: lead generation.
Host 2: So it’s less about the test and more about the business. But what about the exam itself? I know a lot of people struggle with the PSI state exam and end up paying for multiple retakes.
Host 1: Instead of just teaching you law and math, they integrate professional development that teaches you how to build a referral network while you’re still a student.
Host 2: For those who might struggle with the self-paced, fully digital route, is there a more structured local option?
Host 1: That’s where a supporting strategy comes in with Colibri Real Estate.While they don't offer the baseline 60-hour prelicensing in CT right now, their "Exam Crammer" webinars and readiness assessments are the gold standard.
Host 2: Once that license is active, the workload hits hard. How are new agents supposed to handle the marketing side without any experience?
Host 1: A high-value tactic for 2025 is to finish your hours elsewhere but use Colibri’s simulated testing environment.It mirrors the exact PSI interface, which reduces anxiety and prevents those $59 retake fees.
Host 2: What about agents in the New England area who don't want to be limited to just one state?
Host 1: Moving on to the local powerhouse, the National Real Estate Institute is the top choice for Connecticut residents who need a live environment. They offer livestreamed classes that follow a strict schedule.
Host 2: Let's get tactical on the actual licensing requirements. What does the path look like for someone ready to start today?
Host 1: This is a strategic move for anyone who lacks the self-discipline for 100% online courses.
Host 2: And looking at the payoff—the stats show an average salary of about $75,000 for CT agents, but since it’s commission-based,that’s really just the floor for people using these tech and education strategies correctly.
Host 1: Plus, because they are based right here in-state, you’re getting instructors who know the nuances of the local market, which is something the national platforms can’t always replicate.
Host 2: That’s our top strategies—go implement them today.
Host 1: This is a critical 2025 strategy: automating your copy. ListingHub.ai is a tool every new agent should have.It uses AI to generate SEO-optimized MLS descriptions and social media posts for Instagram and TikTok.
Host 1: One of the most actionable features is its URL parsing—you can pull data from a Zillow link and it drafts high-quality property descriptions instantly.It saves hours of work and ensures a professional brand presence from day one.
Host 1: That’s a unique strategy offered by Freedom Trail Realty School. They use a reciprocity model.If you get licensed in Massachusetts through them first, you can apply for your Connecticut license without repeating the full 60 hours of coursework.
Host 1: It’s a massive time-saver for agents who want to work across the border and effectively doubles your potential market reach immediately.
Host 1: It’s a specific process. First, you hit those 60 hours and pass your school's final exam. Then you register for the PSI state exam—110 questions, you need a 70% to pass.
Host 1: Once you clear that, you have one year to submit your application with a $80 fee and a $75 background check. But the final, most crucial step is finding a sponsoring broker.
Host 1: You cannot activate your license or trade real estate in Connecticut without a brokerage to hang your license with.
Host 1: Right. The speed of completion is up to you—some do it in two weeks, others take three months—but the goal is to get to the closing table as fast as possible.