The CE Shop Real Estate School Review 2024
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In this review we evaluated The CE Shop’s curriculum, pricing, and other important aspects to help our readers make a more educated purchase decision.
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What Is The CE Shop?
The CE Shop is an online real estate school that helps aspiring and active professionals kickstart and advance their careers.
The education company offers courses to prepare for a real estate license exam, continuing education, and post-licensing programs to agents, brokers, mortgage professionals, property inspectors, and appraisers, nationwide.
The CE Shop real estate school is accredited by ARELLO and IDECC as an industry leader in online real estate education.
As a result, all the company’s programs are in accordance with real estate laws and meet the requirements for online real estate schools.
The CE Shop’s courses are available in most states and can be accessed at any time on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Who Is The CE Shop For?
Who Is the Instructor of The CE Shop?
The CE Shop was co-founded by Ken Horner and Michael McAllister in 2005, who are both hugely successful entrepreneurs with experience in multiple industries, including real estate, law, and marketing.
None of the co-founders are real estate coaches at The CE Shop. They, however, serve as board members of the company.
That said, The CE Shop has numerous trainers, all of whom are successful, experienced real estate professionals and entrepreneurs. Some examples include:
- Kent Strobel — A licensed agent and broker who began teaching real estate education in 2001. He is certified to teach in South Carolina and currently owns and teaches at his Kent Academy of Real Estate.
- Jill Malloy — A real estate professional with over 40 years of experience in the industry. She is also an independent consultant and certified real estate coach in Washington, DC.
- Charlie Alfortish — A successful real estate educator who’s been teaching aspiring professionals since 2001. He is a certified real estate coach in Louisiana who focuses on entrepreneurship, management, and business communications.
- Mary Adema — A Minnesota real estate coach with over four decades of experience in pre-licensing, continuing education, and sales training. She has also authored a real estate textbook for Kaplan School and continuing education courses for ProSource Educational Services.
- Chris Alford — A seasoned banking expert and real estate coach in Kentucky who’s trained over 25,000 professionals. He holds a master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Ashford University and is the co-founder of Alford Real Estate Services.
- Tom Bain — A real estate agent in Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He is a Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors member and takes students through several topics, including ethics, marketing, inspection, and contracts.
The complete list of course instructors is available on the company website.
Is The CE Shop Legit or a Scam?
The CE Shop is a legitimate real estate school based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. It is one of the longest-serving agent education companies, having been launched in 2005.
Since its launch, The CE Shop has become one of the most widely used education programs nationwide.
Thousands of agents and brokers utilize the company’s courses annually, as indicated by the numerous reviews, mentions, and customer testimonials online, most of which are positive.
The CE Shop’s programs are legit, as they’re all accredited by ARELLO and IDECC, the two national institutions responsible for ensuring quality control for online real estate courses.
The real estate education brand also has a scholarship program known as The CE Shop Give Back Scholarship, where the company awards $1,000 to full-time students enrolled at an accredited college or university.
Altogether, we found enough evidence to prove that The CE Shop is not a scam.
The CE Shop Customer Reviews
The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop’s prices vary based on the state of testing, the program you enroll in, and the course package you choose.
Pre-licensing courses are typically more expensive than the other course offerings, such as continuing education, post-licensing, and license upgrades.
That said, the overall cost you incur ranges between $9 and $1,999. The following is a breakdown of the costs based on the program you enroll in and the package you choose.
Real Estate Agent Courses
Pre-Licensing
To get first-time licenses, students have to enroll in a pre-licensing program in their state of operation.
The CE Shop’s pre-licensing programs come in four program packages: Course Only, Standard, Value, and Premium.
- Course Only — This is the most affordable package across all states and contains the entire coursework (required minimum class hours).
- Standard — The Standard plan contains the entire coursework (required minimum class hours) and exam preparation resources.
- Value — Here, you get access to everything in Standard, plus additional courses to help you build your business. In Georgia, the Value package goes for $299.25.
- Premium — The most expensive and full-featured plan contains all the resources in Standard and Value, plus Post-Licensing and a comprehensive e-textbook covering real estate basics.
In Georgia, for instance, the Course-Only package costs $221.25, while the Standard, Value, and Premium are priced at $269.25, $299.25, and $401.25, respectively.
To find out the exact amount you will pay for pre-licensing in your state, visit the company website.
Exam Prep Edge
The Exam Prep Edge plan is for students who want a study package solely dedicated to state exam preparation.
The package is offered as a standalone product or as part of your pre-licensing program (Standard plan and above).
It contains unlimited practice exams, a free assessment with immediate on topics you need to work on, personalized topical lessons, and interactive dashboards to manage your activities.
The Exam Prep Edge plan comes in three offerings:
- National exam prep
- State-specific exam prep
- National + State bundle
Prices range between $79 and $135, depending on your state. For example, the National and State exam preparation plans cost $59.25 each in Texas. If you purchase the bundle, the cost is $101.25.
Continuing Education
The CE Shop offers real estate continuing education for a price of between $9 and $399, depending on your state and the course bundle you choose within your state.
In New York, continuing education costs $145; in Ohio, it’s $179. Visit the company website to find out the exact amount you will pay.
Post-Licensing
The cost of post-licensing programs ranges between $75 and $945, depending on your state of testing and the post-license package you choose.
For instance, in Washington, there are two packages to choose from that cost $219 and $315.
Upgrading Your License (Broker Licensing)
The CE Shop offers Broker Licensing programs for agents looking to upgrade their real estate license.
The cost for a broker license ranges between $115 and $1,999, depending on your state and course packages in that state.
Mortgage Courses
The CE Shop offers Pre-Licensing and Continuing Education mortgage classes. You can choose to be certified nationally or within your state.
For national, pre-licensing classes, there are two course plans:
- 20-Hour Mortgage Loan Originator Course: $274
- Mortgage Loan Originator Exam Prep: $149
There are numerous courses in the nation-approved CE program, which range between $39 and $155.
For state certification, course prices range between $275 and $459, depending on the education type and package you choose.
Home Inspection Courses
Home Inspection classes are available across all states, with prices ranging between $699 and $3699, depending on your state and the course package you choose.
There are free trials offered in select states, such as Iowa.
Home Appraisal Courses
The CE Shop provides real estate appraisers with the continuing education (including USPAP courses) they need to stay updated.
There are several CE courses offered in each state, with prices ranging between $79 and $575 for a single course.
Professional Development Programs
The CE Shop has an in-house professional development program for agents called ProPath.
The program costs $299 and focuses on helping new real estate agents build their career foundation.
The CE Shop Coupon & Promo Codes
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How Does The CE Shop Work?
The CE Shop has many forms of learning materials and resources within its curriculums. The following are different ways the company’s programs are presented and accessed.
- Interactive media — The CE Shop courses use interactive media, such as animations and GIFs, to take students through various topics and concepts. As a result, many student reviews online claim that The CE Shop is one of the most engaging real estate training programs.
- Reading material — The CE Shop provides students with e-textbooks and downloadable PDFs throughout the course duration. The e-books have been optimized for both desktop and mobile devices.
- Topic-specific exercises and tests — The CE Shop’s programs have practice exercises and tests at the end of every topic or concept. Most tests have multiple choices, and you get instant feedback for wrong answers.
- Study schedule — Students can create a customized full-time or part-time study schedule to use throughout the duration of their course.
- Digital flashcards — The CE Shop comes with digital study flashcards that are used by students preparing for the final exam. The flashcards contain the most essential concepts presented in a simplified, condensed manner.
- Proctored exams — After you complete your coursework and class hours requirements, you can access the final course exam. The exam is proctored, as per your state regulations, by a third party (PSI).
- Course completion certificate — After completing and passing your final course exam (a score of 80% and above), The CE Shop will present you with a certificate of course completion. The certificate is sent to your email for download and printing.
The CE Shop course expiration is either 6 or 12 months, depending on your course and state. Once your course expires, you can request an extension by contacting customer service.
Some states may require you to repay for a course extension, while in other states, extension is free.
What Is The CE Shop Curriculum?
Real Estate Agents
There is no uniform curriculum for The CE Shop since the company has many courses and states have different requirements.
You have to enroll in a course to find out your curriculum. Still, The CE Shop has several training programs:
- Continuing education — This is the company’s main offering and is available in all 50 states.
- Pre-licensing — Available in 44 states
- Post-licensing — Offered in 25 states
- Broker licensing — Offered in 16 states
- Exam preparation — The Exam Prep package is available in all 50 states when purchased as a standalone product. If you purchase it as part of pre-licensing, it is only available in the 44 states where pre-licensing is offered.
Real Estate Mortgage Professionals
Mortgage loan officers and other professionals can enroll in pre-licensing and continuing education mortgage programs on The CE Shop.
The company offers both national and state certifications that have been approved by the NMLS (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System).
State-based pre-licensing programs are available across all states and come in three plans: Course Only, Standard, and Premium. Continuing education mortgage programs are also available for all states.
Real Estate Appraisers
The CE Shop has continuing education classes for real estate appraisers. The classes are available in all states, and each state has several courses to choose from.
The course curriculums vary but are delivered in similar ways:
- Live classes
- Reading materials
- Proctored final exams
Home Inspectors
The CE Shop offers home inspection certification through its sister brand, American Home Inspectors Training.
The programs have been accredited by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
Students may need to enroll in live classes, in addition to the self-paced interactive course, in some states, such as New York.
Professional Development
Agents looking to kickstart and grow their careers can get the necessary education and resources by enrolling in the ProPath Professional Development program.
The in-house program has three main modules:
- Build Your 30/60/90 Day Plan — This module focuses on how to formulate a business plan, set goals, and integrate your 30/60/90 plan into your business.
- Build Your Core Lead Network — Here, you will learn how to generate leads and build a system that keeps your lead flow and marketing cycle running.
- Build Your Negotiation Skills — This module takes you through the best negotiation and communication strategies required in real estate dealings.
Each module contains about 3 hours of content.
The CE Shop Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real estate education at the CE shop is presented in an interactive and engaging manner.
- The CE Shop is accredited by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC).
- The CE Shop’s main programs are available in a majority of states.
- Students have high pass rates — much higher than the national average.
- The CE Shop has excellent customer service.
Cons
- No mobile app.
- There’s no direct access to instructors.
The CE Shop Alternatives
- Colibri Real Estate
- AceableAgent
- McKissock Learning
- Allied Schools
- Hogan School of Real Estate
- Arizona School of Real Estate and Business
- Hondros College
- Kaplan Real Estate Education
- Superior School of Real Estate
- 360training Agent Campus
- Key Realty School
The CE Shop Achievements
Awards & Recognition
Best Online Real Estate School (Awarded by Real Estate Bees)
Press & Media
Ranked No. 42 in Top 200 Private Companies Awards (ColoradoBiz, 2022)
Ranked 2nd in Denver’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies (Denver Business Journal, 2022)
The CE Shop FAQs
Is The CE Shop good for real estate education?
Yes. The CE Shop is a modern online real estate school that has been praised for its simple and intuitive user design and engaging course delivery.
The program gives students solid real estate skills that new agents need after passing the real estate exam and starting practicing real estate.
Is The CE Shop accredited?
The CE Shop’s programs are accredited by ARELLO and IDECC, meaning they’re in accordance with real estate laws and online learning requirements.
How hard is The CE Shop real estate final exam?
The CE Shop’s final exams are modeled after actual state exams. The CE Shop students typically have a high pass rate of 64% compared to the national average of 52%.
You require a minimum passing score of 80% to complete your course.
Does The CE Shop have a trial or money-back guarantee?
The CE Shop has a 5-day risk-free trial policy for Pre-Licensing programs. You get full unlimited access to the course contents (with the exception of the final exam) within the free trial period.
The CE Shop also has a pass guarantee for students who don’t pass the real estate exam on their first try (there are no refunds for retakes).
If you purchased the Exam Preparation package as a standalone product, you will receive a full refund for the package.
If the exam package was part of the pre-licensing program, The CE Shop refunds up to $99.
Note that the money-back policy doesn’t apply to all states. Visit the Pass Guarantee section on the official website to find out whether reimbursements are available in your state.
What is The CE Shop customer service phone number?
You can contact the customer service at (888) 827‐0777 or send an email to [email protected].
How many students have studied at The CE Shop?
We couldn’t find reliable information on the number of students who have gone through The CE Shop’s real estate classes.
However, the program has received plenty of reviews online on review websites such as Trustpilot, social media, personal blogs, and YouTube channels, indicating the program’s wide reach.
How to cancel The CE Shop and what is the refund policy?
The CE Shop students can cancel their course subscription within the first 30 days of purchasing the program.
Contact the customer service at (888) 827‐0777 or [email protected] to terminate the subscription.
The CE Shop will refund the purchase price of any course under the following circumstances:
- You cancel within the first 30 days of purchase.
- You have completed less than 50% of the real estate course.
- You haven’t attended any live classes.
What awards and recognition has The CE Shop received?
The CE Shop has received numerous accolades over time. In 2022, the company was ranked 42 in ColoradoBiz’s Top 200 Private Companies awards.
In the previous year, the real estate education company was ranked 2nd in Denver’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Denver Business Journal.
Visit the company’s Accolades page to find the complete list of awards and recognitions The CE Shop has received.
Is The CE Shop Worth It?
Yes. The CE Shop is one of the most popular training programs that helps aspiring agents achieve their real estate goals. This is indicated by the company’s numerous positive reviews and testimonials.
Students have praised the platform for its simple and intuitive user interface, engaging courses, and responsive customer service.
Furthermore, The CE Shop’s courses are more affordable compared to similar e-learning real estate platforms like Colibri and Kaplan.
The pass guarantee policy also provides peace of mind, ensuring you’ll receive a full refund if you don’t pass the final exam.
Overall, The CE Shop is worth considering by those who want to become a successful real estate agent and those looking to advance their careers.
The CE Shop Contacts
- Website: Official website
- Phone: (888) 827-0777
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 5670 Greenwood Plaza Blvd #340, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, United States
- Socials: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn
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About the Author
Kristina Morales is both a licensed mortgage loan originator and real estate agent in the State of Ohio. Inspired by her years of working with buyers and sellers and seeing a need for more consumer education, Kristina created loanfully.com, an online educational resource for borrowers and industry professionals. In addition to real estate sales and mortgage lending, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking, treasury, and corporate finance. She ended her corporate career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX. Kristina obtained her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and her B.A in Business Management from Ursuline College.