Colibri Real Estate is an online education platform founded in 1996 that helps aspiring agents earn their real estate license. The school offers state-approved pre-licensing courses, exam prep, and continuing education in 40 states with flexible learning options and a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
You’re thinking about getting your real estate license. That’s exciting. But now you’re stuck researching dozens of online schools, trying to figure out which one actually works. Let me tell you about Colibri Real Estate, one of the biggest names in online real estate education.
What Is Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate started back in 1996 as Real Estate Express. They were one of the first companies to offer real estate courses completely online. Think about that for a second—while most schools were still doing classroom-only teaching, these folks saw the future.
The company operates out of St. Louis, Missouri, and they’re part of a bigger education group called Colibri Group. By 2024, they had helped more than 520,000 students get their licenses. That’s not a small number.
What makes them different? They focus only on real estate education. No side hustles. No random courses. Just real estate from start to finish.
How Colibri Real Estate Works
Getting your license through Colibri is pretty straightforward. You pick your state, choose a package, and start learning on their online platform. Everything happens on your computer or tablet.
The platform shows you exactly where you are in the course. You can jump between topics easily. Take notes right on the screen. The system saves everything, so you can pick up where you left off.
Each state has different requirements for how many hours you need to study. Colibri covers all those state-specific rules. Your course content matches what your state requires, down to the hour.
Once you finish your course hours, you take a proctored final exam online. Pass that, and you get your completion certificate. Then you’re ready to sign up for your state licensing exam.
Course Packages and What You Get
Colibri offers four main packages. Prices change based on your state, but here’s what you need to know about each one.
The Basics package gives you the required course hours, three e-books, and access to instructors when you have questions. Prices range from about 130 dollars to 549 dollars depending on your state. This works if you’re confident about studying on your own and just need to check the boxes.
The Exam Preparation package adds CompuCram exam prep tools. You get practice tests, flashcards, audio guides, and a readiness tracker. Most states price this between 450 and 524 dollars. The big draw here is their Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee—if you don’t pass your state exam on the first try, you get your money back. Some states don’t allow this guarantee due to local laws, but most do.
The Exam Preparation Plus package includes everything from the previous level plus 90 hours of Sales Agent Education courses. You also get weekly live Q&A sessions with instructors, career tools, and one printed textbook. This runs higher but gives you more support.
The Ultimate Learning package is their top tier. It includes up to 180 hours of courses, multiple printed textbooks, unlimited practice exams, live webinars, and a one-year membership to McKissock Learning for professional development. Think of this as the all-in option for people who want maximum support and resources.
The Learning Experience
Colibri’s courses rely heavily on text. You read chapters on their platform. Watch some videos here and there. Take quizzes to check your understanding.
The interface is clean and easy to use. No confusing menus or hidden buttons. Everything loads fast. The note-taking feature lets you highlight sections and jot down thoughts right where you’re reading. Those notes sync across devices.
Some people love this format. Others find it dry. If you’re someone who learns best by reading and taking your time with material, you’ll do fine. If you need lots of video content or interactive exercises, this might feel boring.
The company does offer live instructor sessions. You can ask questions during scheduled Q&A times. Real estate professionals with years of experience lead these sessions. They know local markets and can give practical advice, not just textbook answers.
Exam Preparation Tools
The CompuCram system is Colibri’s exam prep tool. It creates practice tests that mimic the real state exam. You take simulated exams, see where you’re weak, and focus your studying there.
The system tracks your progress. Shows you readiness scores. Highlights topics where you keep missing questions. You get immediate feedback on why answers are right or wrong.
Audio review guides let you study while driving or exercising. Flashcards help with memorization. Vocabulary tools drill you on industry terms you need to know cold.
Students who use these tools tend to pass at higher rates than industry averages. The company doesn’t publish exact pass rates for every state, but the data they do share looks solid. For Texas, the pass rate was 56 percent as of July 2025, with 341 students passing out of 604 who took the exam.
States and Availability
Colibri offers pre-licensing courses in 40 states. Post-licensing courses are available in 20 states. Continuing education courses work in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
Some states only get courses through Colibri’s partner schools. Arizona uses Arizona School of Real Estate and Business. Florida uses Gold Coast Schools. Ohio uses Hondros College. These partnerships give you the same quality education with local market knowledge.
Livestream courses—where you attend live classes on a schedule—are only available in select states. Most students take the self-paced online route because it fits their schedule better.
Support and Instructor Access
You’re not alone when you take a Colibri course. The company has 132 local instructors across the country. These aren’t random teachers—they’re working real estate professionals who know the business.
When you have a question, you email or chat with an instructor. Response times are usually within 24 hours. For premium packages, you get access to 40 hours of live Q&A sessions every month.
The instructors understand local markets. If you’re in California, you talk to someone who knows California real estate. If you’re in Texas, you get Texas-specific guidance. That local knowledge matters when you’re studying state laws and regulations.
Accreditation and Legitimacy
Here’s something important—Colibri Real Estate is fully accredited. They have approval from ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) and IDECC (International Distance Education Certification Center).
State real estate commissions approve their courses. That means when you complete a Colibri course, your state accepts it for licensing purposes. No questions asked.
Some people worry about online schools being scams. Colibri isn’t one of them. They’ve been in business for nearly 30 years. They work with state regulators. Thousands of licensed agents got their start here.
Pricing Compared to Competitors
Colibri falls in the middle when you look at pricing. They’re not the cheapest option out there, but they’re not the most expensive either.
The CE Shop charges a bit more for similar packages. Kaplan’s California Exam Prep Plus package costs around 400 dollars compared to Colibri’s 370 dollars. AceableAgent prices run slightly higher in most states.
Real Estate U offers lower prices on basic packages but fewer features. You save money upfront but might need to buy exam prep separately.
Colibri runs sales pretty often. You can find coupon codes for 15 to 40 percent off. Check their promotions page before buying. That discount can save you a hundred dollars or more.
Continuing Education Options
Once you get your license, you need continuing education to keep it active. Every state has different requirements—usually between 12 and 24 hours every few years.
Colibri offers continuing education through their partner company, McKissock Learning. Courses cover topics like ethics, fair housing, legal updates, and specialty subjects.
Prices for continuing education range from about 20 dollars to 140 dollars depending on how many hours you need. The courses work the same way as pre-licensing—online, self-paced, with instructor support.
Some states require specific courses. Texas agents need Legal Update I and II. California requires courses on ethics and fair housing. Colibri’s system automatically shows you what your state requires so you don’t take the wrong classes.
What Students Say
Student reviews are mixed but mostly positive. Many people appreciate the flexibility of learning on their own schedule. The platform gets praise for being easy to navigate.
Some complaints pop up regularly. The courses are text-heavy, which bores visual learners. The audio quality in some video segments could be better. A few students wish there were more interactive elements.
The instructor support gets good marks. Students say instructors respond quickly and give helpful answers. The live Q&A sessions feel valuable, especially for people new to real estate.
The biggest frustration seems to be the lack of a mobile app. You can access courses on mobile browsers, but the company recommends using a computer for the best experience. That limits your ability to study on the go.
Additional Resources and Career Support
Colibri offers more than just courses. They have a YouTube channel with videos from real estate experts. Topics include marketing, lead generation, negotiation tactics, and market analysis.
The company partners with The Real Estate Negotiation Institute to offer certifications in negotiation skills. The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing provides the CLHMS designation for agents working in high-end markets.
Premium packages include access to RISMedia, an industry publication with news, trends, and business strategies. You also get career tools like resume builders, interview prep guides, and networking opportunities.
These extras matter if you’re serious about making real estate a career, not just a side hustle. Many online schools stop at licensing—Colibri keeps supporting you after.
Is Colibri Right for You
Here’s the truth: Colibri works well for certain types of learners. If you’re self-disciplined and comfortable reading to learn, you’ll do fine. If you want access to experienced instructors without paying premium prices, this is a good fit.
The Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee reduces your risk. If the course doesn’t prepare you well enough to pass on the first try, you get your money back in most states. That shows confidence in their material.
But if you need lots of hand-holding or prefer in-person classes, look elsewhere. If you’re a visual learner who needs video-heavy content, consider AceableAgent or The CE Shop instead.
Think about your learning style, your budget, and how much support you need. Match that against what Colibri offers. The company has educated over half a million people successfully. They know what they’re doing. Just make sure their approach matches how you learn best.
The real estate industry offers serious opportunities. Getting licensed is step one. Choosing the right education partner makes that step easier. Colibri Real Estate has the track record, the tools, and the support system to get you there—if you’re willing to put in the work.
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