Choosing the wrong real estate school costs you more than money. It costs time, confidence, and momentum. Some students enroll in programs that aren't approved for their province. Others pick the cheapest option and get zero support when they're struggling. A few don't realize until exam day that their course never actually prepared them to pass.
This guide gives you 15 questions to ask before you enroll in any real estate school in Canada. Use it as a checklist. Copy it. Compare schools side by side. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for and what to avoid.
Before You Compare Schools, Know This About Real Estate Licensing in Canada
Real estate licensing in Canada is provincial and territorial, not national. There's no single "best real estate school in Canada" because the right school depends entirely on where you plan to get licensed.
Each province has its own regulatory body that approves courses and administers licensing:
- Alberta: RECA, Real Estate Council of Alberta
- Ontario: RECO, Real Estate Council of Ontario
- British Columbia: BCFSA, BC Financial Services Authority
- Saskatchewan: SREC, Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission
- Manitoba: MSC, Manitoba Securities Commission
A course approved in one province may not count in another. This means course approval matters more than brand recognition. A flashy website means nothing if the program isn't recognized by your province's regulator.
One more thing: online versus in-person is a learning-style decision, not a quality decision. Both formats can prepare you well. The question is which format fits how you learn and how much flexibility you need.
The 15 Questions to Ask Before You Enroll
Here's your checklist. For each question, you'll see why it matters, what a good answer looks like, and red flags to watch for.
Q1. Is the school approved or recognized for licensing in my province?
Why it matters: If the course isn't approved by your provincial regulator, you can't use it to get licensed. Period.
What a good answer looks like:
- The school clearly states which provincial regulator approves their courses
- They link directly to the regulator's approved provider list
- For Alberta, they're listed on RECA's pre-licensing education page
Red flags:
- Vague claims like "nationally recognized" without provincial specifics
- No mention of regulatory approval anywhere on the website
RECA published a helpful guide on evaluating course providers.
Q2. Which license path is this course for (salesperson, broker, property management)?
Why it matters: Different license categories require different courses. Enrolling in the wrong one wastes time and money.
What a good answer looks like:
- Clear labeling of which license category each course serves
- Explanation of the progression (e.g. salesperson first, then broker)
- Guidance on which path fits your goals
Red flags:
- Courses bundled together without explaining what each one is for
- No distinction between residential, commercial, and property management paths
Q3. What's included in the tuition price?
Why it matters: Some schools advertise low tuition but charge extra for essentials like practice exams, study guides, or exam attempts.
What a good answer looks like:
- Transparent pricing that lists everything included
- Practice exams, flashcards, and study tools included in tuition
- No hidden fees for core learning materials
Red flags:
- "Starting at" pricing without a full breakdown
- Essential resources listed as add-ons
Q4. What are the total costs beyond tuition?
Why it matters: Tuition is just one part of your investment. Licensing fees, exam fees, and memberships add up.
What a good answer looks like:
- The school provides guidance on total costs to get licensed
- They mention regulatory fees, exam costs, and association memberships
- They help you budget for the full journey, not just their course
Red flags:
- No mention of costs beyond tuition
- Surprise fees after enrollment
Q5. How long does it realistically take to finish (not the "best case")?
Why it matters: Marketing often shows the fastest possible completion time. Reality is usually different.
What a good answer looks like:
- Honest timelines based on part-time and full-time study
- Acknowledgment that most students take longer than the minimum
- Flexibility to adjust your pace as needed
Red flags:
- Only showing "as fast as 2 weeks" without realistic ranges
- No guidance on typical completion times
Q6. What delivery format is it (self-paced, cohort, live) and what's the weekly workload?
Why it matters: Your schedule and learning style should match the course format.
What a good answer looks like:
- Clear explanation of format (fully self-paced, scheduled cohorts, or live sessions)
- Estimated weekly hours for different pacing options
- Flexibility to study around work and family commitments
Red flags:
- Unclear format descriptions
- No workload estimates
Q7. What student support do I get (response times, coaching, office hours)?
Why it matters: When you're stuck on a concept at 10pm, support availability matters.
What a good answer looks like:
- Stated response times for questions (e.g. within 24 hours)
- Multiple support channels (email, chat, phone)
- Access to instructors or subject matter experts
Red flags:
- No support contact information visible
- Reviews mentioning slow or unhelpful responses
Q8. How is the content taught (video, readings, cases, quizzes, adaptive learning)?
Why it matters: How you learn affects how well you retain information and prepare for exams.
What a good answer looks like:
- Multiple learning formats (video lessons, readings, interactive quizzes)
- Scenario-based learning that mirrors exam questions
- Adaptive learning technology that personalizes your study path based on what you know and what you need to work on
Red flags:
- Text-only content with no interactive elements
- No mention of how content adapts to your progress
Q9. How strong are the practice questions and exams (explanations, exam-style difficulty)?
Why it matters: Practice exams are your best predictor of exam readiness. Weak practice means weak preparation.
What a good answer looks like:
- Large question banks (1,000+ questions)
- Detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answers
- Unlimited practice exams that mirror actual exam format and difficulty
- Readiness indicators that tell you when you're prepared to pass
Red flags:
- Limited practice questions or exams
- No explanations for answers
- Practice questions easier than the actual exam
Q10. Do they give a study plan (14/30/60-day) or leave it to you?
Why it matters: Structure helps you stay on track. Without a plan, it's easy to fall behind.
What a good answer looks like:
- Personalized study plans based on your target exam date
- Daily or weekly goals that keep you accountable
- Adaptive adjustments as you progress
Red flags:
- No study plan provided
- Generic schedules that don't account for your pace
Q11. What's the refund, deferral, and extension policy?
Why it matters: Life happens. You need to know your options if circumstances change.
What a good answer looks like:
- Clear refund policy with specific timeframes
- Deferral options if you need to pause
- Reasonable extension policies if you need more time
Red flags:
- No refund under any circumstances
- Policies buried in fine print
- Short access windows with no extension options
Q12. Are accessibility accommodations supported (captions, screen readers, exam support guidance)?
Why it matters: Everyone deserves equal access to education.
What a good answer looks like:
- Video content with captions
- Platform compatible with screen readers
- Guidance on requesting exam accommodations from the regulator
Red flags:
- No mention of accessibility features
- Platform not compatible with assistive technology
Q13. What do reviews say specifically (outcomes, support, exam readiness)?
Why it matters: Marketing says what schools want you to believe. Reviews say what students actually experienced.
What a good answer looks like:
- Reviews mentioning specific outcomes (passed first time, felt prepared)
- Positive comments about support responsiveness
- Students describing the learning experience in detail
Red flags:
- Only generic positive reviews
- Multiple complaints about the same issues (poor support, outdated content)
- No reviews available anywhere
Q14. What happens after you pass (next steps, brokerage guidance, career resources)?
Why it matters: Passing the exam is just step one. You still need to complete registration and find a brokerage.
What a good answer looks like:
- Clear guidance on post-exam steps (registration, background checks, brokerage search)
- Resources for launching your career
- Community or alumni network for ongoing support
Red flags:
- No mention of what happens after course completion
- Students left to figure out next steps alone
For Alberta learners, RECA provides a detailed guide on the eligibility and registration process.
Q15. Which school is best for my situation (budget, speed, learning style, confidence level)?
Why it matters: The "best" school is the one that fits your specific needs.
What a good answer looks like:
- If you need flexibility: self-paced online courses with adaptive learning
- If you need certainty: schools with readiness tracking and pass guarantees
- If you're budget-conscious: transparent pricing with everything included
- If you learn by doing: courses with scenario-based content and extensive practice exams
For learners in Alberta who want certainty they're ready to pass, Relo offers RECA-approved courses with adaptive learning, unlimited practice exams, and a ReadyRating score that tells you exactly when you're prepared. They back it with a pass guarantee when you reach Level 5.
Quick Comparison Guide: Use This to Decide Faster
When comparing schools, score each one on these criteria (1 to 5):
Provincial Approval — Is the school approved by your province's regulator? This is pass/fail. If they're not approved, stop here.
Total Cost (Tuition + Extras) — What's the all-in price including practice exams, study materials, and any add-ons? Budget $600 to $1,500 for courses depending on province and provider.
Format and Flexibility — Does the format match your schedule and learning style? Self-paced online offers maximum flexibility. Cohort or classroom offers more structure.
Support Quality — What support do you get and how responsive is it? Look for stated response times and multiple contact channels.
Practice and Readiness Tools — How strong are the practice exams? Do they offer readiness tracking? This is often the difference between passing first time and paying for retakes.
Completion Timeline — What's the realistic timeline for your situation? Most students complete courses in 1 to 3 months depending on study pace.
Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Real Estate School
Picking the cheapest option without considering support
Low tuition looks attractive until you're stuck on a concept with no one to help. Factor in the cost of retakes ($235 per attempt in Alberta) when comparing prices. A slightly more expensive course with strong support often costs less in the long run.
Choosing a school not aligned with provincial requirements
This happens more than you'd think. Students enroll in courses that aren't approved for their province and have to start over. Always verify approval on your regulator's website before paying.
Underestimating time and skipping practice exams
Students who rush through content and skip practice exams consistently underperform. Build practice into your schedule from day one, not just the week before your exam.
Not reading policies until it's too late
Refund policies, extension rules, and access windows matter. Read them before you enroll, not when you need them.
30-Minute Checklist: Choose Your Real Estate School in Canada With Confidence
Use this checklist today to evaluate any school you're considering:
In the first 10 minutes:
- Verify the school is approved by your provincial regulator
- Confirm the course matches your license path (salesperson, broker, etc.)
- Check the total cost including all materials and practice exams
In the next 10 minutes:
- Review the format and estimated completion timeline
- Look for support options and stated response times
- Check for practice exams, readiness tracking, and pass guarantees
In the final 10 minutes:
- Read the refund, deferral, and extension policies
- Scan reviews for specific mentions of outcomes and support
- Compare your top 2 to 3 options side by side
If you only do three things:
- Verify provincial approval (non-negotiable)
- Check what's included in tuition (avoid surprise costs)
- Confirm they have strong practice exams and readiness tools (this predicts your success)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does real estate school cost in Canada?
Costs vary by province and provider. Expect to pay $600 to $1,500 for pre-licensing courses. In Alberta, Relo offers courses starting at $675. Factor in exam fees, licensing fees, and association memberships for your total investment.
How long does a real estate agent course take?
Most students complete pre-licensing courses in 1 to 3 months. Self-paced online courses offer flexibility to finish faster or slower depending on your schedule. Full-time study can compress timelines to 4 to 6 weeks.
Can I take a real estate course online in Canada?
Yes. Most provinces offer online options through approved providers. Online self-paced courses are the most popular choice for flexibility. Verify the course is approved by your provincial regulator before enrolling.
What's the difference between a real estate course and a real estate license?
The course is your education. The license is your authorization to practice. You complete approved courses, pass the licensing exam, register with your provincial regulator, and join a brokerage. Then you're licensed.
Do I need a brokerage before I start school?
No. You can complete your education and pass your exam before choosing a brokerage. However, you'll need to join a brokerage to activate your license and start working with clients.
What should I do if I fail the licensing exam?
Most provinces allow retakes. In Alberta, you can attempt the exam twice within your course validity period. Review your score report to identify weak areas, focus your study on those topics, and use practice exams to rebuild confidence before your next attempt.
Your Next Step: Choose With Confidence
The right real estate school sets you up for exam success and career readiness. The wrong one wastes your time, money, and momentum.
Use the 15 questions in this guide to evaluate any school you're considering. Verify provincial approval first. Compare total costs, not just tuition. Prioritize schools with strong practice exams and readiness tools that tell you when you're actually prepared to pass.
If you're pursuing your license in Alberta, explore Relo's RECA-approved courses. With adaptive learning, unlimited practice exams, and a ReadyRating that removes the guesswork, you'll know exactly when you're ready.
Questions about getting started in Alberta with Relo? Get in touch with us.