I know some people swear by the in-person classes. They like the networking. But let's compare the two options so you can decide what fits your life.
| Feature | McKissock (Online) | Local Classroom |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Schedule** | 24/7 access, work at your own pace | Fixed dates and times (often weekends) |
| **Location** | Anywhere with an internet connection | Must commute to a specific venue |
| **Cost** | Usually cheaper (frequent discounts) | Often more expensive (room rental fees) |
| **Pacing** | Pause and resume whenever you want | Must sit through the entire lecture |
| **Interaction** | Email support, discussion boards | Face-to-face with instructor and peers |
| **Time to Complete** | Can finish in a day if you cram | Takes a full day or multiple evenings |
Step-by-Step Instructions to Get Your CE Done
Okay, let’s get down to business. Here is the exact process I use, and it works every single time. It takes about ten minutes to set up, and then you are on your way.
**Step 1: Check Your State Requirements FIRST**
Do not skip this. Seriously. McKissock has a section on their site called "State Requirements." Click on your state. You need to know three things: the total number of hours required, how many of those hours are mandatory (like Fair Housing or Ethics), and the expiration date of your current cycle. If you take the wrong course, you waste money. Write these down on a sticky note and put it on your monitor.
**Step 2: Create Your Account and Browse the Catalog**
Head to the McKissock website and create a profile. Once you are in, filter the course catalog by your state and your license type. The site will automatically show you what is missing from your required list. I love this feature because it takes the guesswork out of it. You will see a list of "Core" or "Elective" courses. If you are short on mandatory hours, pick those first.
**Step 3: Purchase a Bundle or a Single Course**
If you are doing this for the first time, look at the "CE Packages." They usually bundle the exact mandatory courses with electives to hit your total hour requirement. That's almost always cheaper to buy the package than to pay per course individually. Plus, they run sales pretty frequently. If you aren't in a rush, add it to your cart and wait a few days—they usually email you a discount code for 20% off.
**Step 4: Take the Course and Pass the Quizzes**
Here is how the format works: You watch a video segment, and then you have to answer a few quiz questions to move on. You cannot fast-forward through the videos, but you can pause and resume. The quizzes are open-book. I usually keep the course outline PDF open in another tab. An questions aren't trying to trick you; they are just making sure you are awake.
**Step 5: The Final Exam**
Once you finish all the segments, you take a final exam. The passing score is usually around 70% or 75%, depending on the state. You get multiple attempts, so don't sweat it if you fail the first time. Take a breather, review the material, and go again.
**Step 6: Report Your Hours**
This is the most important step. McKissock does the heavy lifting here. Once you pass, they report your completion directly to your state's real estate commission electronically. Usually, it happens within 48 hours, but sometimes it takes a few days. Do not panic if it doesn't show up instantly. Keep your certificate of completion saved to your desktop just in case you need to prove you did it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions I get asked the most when I tell other agents about my workflow.
How long does it take McKissock to report my credits to the state?
It usually takes about 24 to 48 hours for them to submit your completion electronically to the state. However, the state's database might take another few business days to update. If you are in a hurry, you can always email McKissock support to ask for a timestamped proof of submission. I always tell agents to keep their certificate of completion handy during this waiting period just in case they get audited.
Can I take McKissock courses on my phone or tablet?
Absolutely. They have a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android, and the website itself is fully responsive. I have done entire modules on my iPad while lounging on the couch. Just make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection so the video player doesn't buffer and kick you out of the course. It's possible to also download certain materials for offline reading, but you generally need to be online to take the quizzes.
What happens if I fail the final exam?
Don't sweat it. You get multiple attempts to pass the final exam. If you fail, the system will usually highlight the areas where you struggled, allowing you to review the specific course segments before retaking it. You don't have to re-watch the entire course, just the parts where you need improvement. As long as you paid attention to the quizzes, you should pass with no problem.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We all make mistakes, but some of these are easily preventable. Here is what I see agents doing wrong all the time.
- **Waiting until the last minute.** I know, I did it too. But if you have a technical glitch or your internet goes down, you are stuck. Give yourself at least two weeks of buffer time. If you wait until the day before, you are gambling with your career.
- **Taking the wrong courses.** I cannot stress this enough. Just because a course is interesting doesn't mean it counts toward your required hours. Always double-check the "Mandatory" vs. "Elective" status.
- **Forgetting to check for state approval.** McKissock is approved in most states, but not all. If your state has specific course approval numbers, make sure the one you are taking matches the list on your state's commission website.
- **Ignoring the provider changes.** Some states are moving away from the "old school" classroom model. If you purchased a course from a different provider last year and they went out of business, those hours might not count. Stick with a big name like McKissock to avoid this headache.
McKissock Real Estate CE: What You Actually Need To Know Before You Hit "Renew"
Let’s be real for a second. If you are reading this, you are probably staring down a license expiration date, and that little knot of anxiety is starting to form in your stomach. We have all been there. You get the postcard, the email, or the frantic text from your broker, and suddenly you are Googling "mckissock real estate ce" at 11 PM on a Tuesday.
I remember my first renewal cycle. I thought I had months to go. Turns out, I had read the date wrong on my license, and I had about 72 hours to complete 14 hours of coursework. Panic is an understatement. The good news? I found McKissock, survived the ordeal, and actually learned a thing or two in the process. That experience is exactly why I am writing this for you.
Here is the thing about continuing education: it isn't just about checking a box. It is about staying sharp, avoiding lawsuits, and keeping your income stream flowing. If you let your license lapse, you cannot legally practice. That means no showings, no closings, and no commission checks. So, let’s break down how to use McKissock to get this done without losing your mind.
What You Need to Know About McKissock
First, let’s clear up a common misconception. McKissock is often thought of as a one-stop shop, but they actually serve a ton of different professionals. They do appraisers, home inspectors, and yes, real property agents. For the real property side, they are one of the biggest providers of continuing education in the country.
What makes them stand out? They are approved in a massive number of states. If you live in a state with sticky requirements—like California, Texas, or Florida—they have state-specific courses designed to cover the weird legal quirks that other generic providers skip over.
I have used them for two renewal cycles now, and honestly, the platform just works. The videos are not just a slideshow with a robot voice reading legal jargon. They actually try to make it interesting, with real instructors who have been in the trenches. Plus, they have a mobile app. That was a lifesaver for me. I did a chunk of my hours sitting in my car waiting for a buyer to show up to a listing that they were forty minutes late for. Instead of wasting that time doom-scrolling, I knocked out a module.
Another big plus? They don't just dump the course on you. They provide outlines and downloadable resources. You aren't watching a video and hoping for the best; you are actively working with material that mirrors what you will see on the final exam.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your CE
You want the insider knowledge? Here it is. These are the little things that make the experience easier and more valuable.
- **Use the mobile app.** Download the app on your phone. You can listen to the audio for some courses while you drive (if your state allows audio-only) or watch the video while you are waiting for a showing. It turns dead time into productive time.
- **Take notes on real-world scenarios.** Don't just memorize the answers. An best courses share case studies about agents who got sued for not disclosing a defect or mishandling an escrow deposit. Pay attention to those. They are the lessons that actually save your license.
- **Do the "Pre-Test" if offered.** Some courses have a pre-test. If you score high enough, you can skip the course material and go straight to the final exam. This is a huge time-saver if you already know the material.
- **Split your sessions.** Don't try to do 14 hours in one sitting. Your brain will turn to mush. Do an hour a day. It is much easier to retain the information, and you won't hate the process.
- look up your email for the certificate.** After you pass, they send you a PDF. Save it to a cloud drive (like Google Drive or Dropbox). Do not just leave it in your email inbox. Emails get deleted, accounts get hacked. Your certificate is your proof.