Time and money can be two of the biggest obstacles standing between a student and their educational goals. These roadblocks don’t just apply to a college education, but also to career-related education, such as obtaining a real estate license.
Keller Successful Career Opportunities in Real Estate, KSCORE®, is how Keller Williams knocks down these roadblocks to support aspiring real estate agents on the path to licensure. In partnership with Kaplan Real Estate Education, Keller Williams’ real estate training and scholarship program provides students with a state-approved, 100% digital pre-licensing curriculum, as well as the real-world know-how to launch a successful real estate career. Meanwhile, licensed KW® agents can also earn continuing education (CE) credits through KSCORE.
This initial path toward a real estate license comes at no cost to KSCORE® students. Local Keller Williams® market centers offer full and partial scholarships, eliminating the financial burden that can prevent prospective agents from pursuing this exciting career path.
Keep reading to learn more about KSCORE® and how it can put you on the path to earning your real estate license.
What is KSCORE®?
The Keller Successful Career Opportunities in Real Estate® program provides a clear roadmap to help you earn your real estate license, combining Keller Williams’ training, career coaching, and tools with Kaplan Real Estate Education’s fully digital pre-licensing curriculum and continuing education offerings. With scholarship opportunities and flexible, self-paced courses, KSCORE® makes becoming a real estate agent more accessible and affordable than ever before.
How KSCORE® Works
Students can enroll in KSCORE® at no cost, and the full scholarship option through Kaplan School of Real Estate covers all required coursework and in-class exams, as well as online study materials. Students who go on to pursue licensing are responsible for associated license application and exam costs, which vary by state.
To begin KSCORE® enrollment, visit kscore.kw.com, find a participating market center, and contact them either by phone or by submitting an interest form. Keller Williams® market centers are individually owned and operated and may have different onboarding processes for their respective programs.
After you receive your scholarship, you’ll gain access to the career coaching program, real estate pre-licensing education, and key information you need to prepare for your real estate licensing exam. Courses are self-paced, so you can work on your schedule. Live online sessions, study materials, and test preparation resources are also available if you need additional support.
Who’s Eligible for KSCORE®?
Keller Williams welcomes both current KW® associates and aspiring real estate agents to take part in KSCORE®. To get started, simply contact a Keller Williams® market center to express your interest.
Once your pre-licensing education is complete, the process to pursue licensure becomes more thorough. Both a background check and fingerprinting may be required, depending on your state. You will also have to submit a real estate license application to take the real estate salesperson exam. After successfully completing these steps and passing your exam, you’ll be eligible to join a real estate brokerage, like your local Keller Williams® market center.
Keep in mind that these are general real estate license eligibility requirements, and every state is different. Be sure to learn what your state requires for licensure.
KSCORE® Pre-Licensing Education
Before beginning a pre-licensing course, students are encouraged to enroll in KW Prep®, a real estate career coaching program that covers real-world topics you need to know to succeed as an agent. The course comprises 17 self-paced digital modules designed to serve as your companion throughout your pre-licensing education, testing, and onboarding at your preferred broker.
From setting goals and keeping a schedule to building relationships and closing your first sale, KSCORE coach Molly de Mattos serves as your guide through each KW Prep® module. The course also introduces you to the mindset and skillsets needed to thrive in real estate and gives you early exposure to Keller Williams’s tools, tips, and coaching.
“This program has been an amazing experience as I work toward obtaining my real estate license,” KW Prep® student Lydia Endersby said. “I gained valuable insights from Coach Molly and the exceptional individuals who shared their stories. I took notes throughout all of the modules, which I believe will be beneficial for my future.”
In addition to KW Prep®, Kaplan Real Estate Education provides state-approved education courses to students who are at the beginning of their real estate journey, while existing licensed agents and brokers can access continuing education classes.Flexibility is another key component of KSCORE®. Kaplan offers pre-licensing education in multiple educational formats, including online and live online courses, so you can learn at your own pace and at your convenience.
Real Estate Agent State Licensing Exam
Once you’ve completed your pre-licensing work and passed your final exams, it’s time to sign up for and take your real estate licensing exam. It’s important to remember that the testing format and passing requirements vary by state. For example, the Maryland real estate exam has 110 questions and must be completed in two hours, and you’ll need a minimum score of 70 percent to pass the exam.
The Maryland licensing exam includes a state and national portion, which comprises 30 and 80 multiple choice questions, respectively. The state portion covers licensing requirements, brokerage relationships, business conduct, and the duties and powers of the real estate commission. Meanwhile, the national part of the exam will test your knowledge of property ownership, valuation, financing, contracts, leasing, title transfers, and more.
An exam with more than 100 questions on a complex topic like real estate could feel overwhelming. Fortunately, KSCORE® was designed to not only make obtaining a real estate license accessible and affordable, but also to help you feel as prepared as possible for your exam. In addition to the foundational information you’ll need to prepare for your exam, you’ll have access to study aids such as flashcards, textbooks, and audio programs.
Additionally, both Kaplan and your local KW® market center provide environments to help you feel confident on the day of your exam.
The KSCORE program isn’t solely about developing the next class of real estate agents. It’s also about helping them find a career home. Students who complete the program can expect a warm welcome at their local KW market center.
Jaclyn Graham, Director of Agent Growth, Keller Williams San Diego Realty said, “One of the new agents we welcomed to the family this week came through our KSCORE® program. She passed the California exam on her first attempt, and now, in her first official week with her license, she’s taking her first buyer client out to look at homes!”
How to Apply for Your Real Estate License
Like any educational path, earning your real estate license takes effort and commitment, but it’s a rewarding process. States’ real estate licensing requirements vary, but in general, you’ll first need to complete the required pre-licensing courses before you’re eligible to sit for your state’s real estate licensing exam. Whether you can take the exam before you submit your real estate application, or vice versa, will depend on your state.
In most states, you’ll need the following when you apply for licensure:
- Proof of passing your real estate salesperson exam
- Certificate of completion of your pre-licensing course
- Your sponsoring broker’s affiliation form
- Registration fee (amount varies by state)
How Long Does it Take to Get a Real Estate License?
If you work with the KSCORE® program, the amount of time it will take to achieve real estate licensure is mainly up to you. Remember, the pre-licensing coursework is self-paced. The sooner you complete it, the sooner you can move on to taking your real estate licensing exam and completing the other requirements to secure your license and begin your new career.
Certain time limitations can give you an idea of the maximum amount of time it could take to obtain your real estate license, however. For example, you’ll have six months from the time you’re enrolled in the pre-licensing program to finish your KSCORE® coursework and take your state’s final exams. On the other hand, you could complete your pre-licensing work, take your real estate exam, and have your license in as little as three months. Your state’s required pre-licensing hours could determine how long the process takes for you.
Meanwhile, your state may have limits on how long your license application is good for. In Maryland, for example, your application and fee remain valid for a year, giving you 12 months to take and pass your exam after you apply.
Post-licensing and Continuing Education Requirements
Earning your real estate license is a great achievement, and it’s the first step in what can be a long and successful career. As your career progresses, continuing education will help you stay up-to-date on the real estate rules and regulations. Keeping up with the industry not only makes it easier for you to renew your license, it also ensures you’re always providing the best possible service to your clients.
The time frame to renew your real estate license depends on your state. California, for example, requires agents to renew their real estate license every four years from the date it was issued. Licensed agents must also complete 45 hours of continuing education for every four-year renewal period.
Fortunately, KSCORE’s educational support doesn’t stop once you receive your real estate license. Keller Williams® real estate agents are eligible for discounted access to Kaplan Real Estate Education’s library full of approved continuing education courses. These classes are designed to help you meet your state’s requirements and keep you up-to-date on the latest real estate industry topics.
Why Choose KSCORE® and Keller Williams?
KSCORE® was created in 2021 with a simple mission: to make real estate education accessible to anyone who wants a career in the industry. With the initial barrier to entry reduced, aspiring students from any background have the chance to pursue a career in real estate. KSCORE® Administrator Tricia DeLong said, “We have gotten so many folks who were able to jump-start their career, all because of this program.”
Those who join a Keller Williams® market center find that KW follows a similar mission when it comes to providing support. KW was built by agents, for agents, and newcomers are encouraged and supported to build their businesses and reach their goals. Keller Williams’ vast learning, coaching, and networking resources are available to agents at every level of experience!
A real estate career gives you the chance to build and run your own business, on your own schedule. The first step to being your own boss and embarking on a thriving and lucrative career is to get your real estate license. KSCORE® can help you do so. And with KSCORE’s fully digital program, you can complete your pre-licensing coursework at your convenience and have the backing of KW Prep® to prepare you for a successful real estate career launch.“Keller Williams wants people to thrive,” KSCORE® graduate Cody Nuchols said. “KSCORE® provided a way for me to get into real estate at no cost.”
“Keller Williams wants people to thrive,” KSCORE® graduate Cody Nuchols said. “KSCORE® provided a way for me to get into real estate at no cost.”
Enroll in KSCORE® TodayKeller Successful Career Opportunities in Real Estate® (KSCORE®) and Keller Williams Realty, LLC (collectively, “KWRI”) does not offer pre-licensing (PL) and continuing education (CE) courses in any state; Kaplan Real Estate Education is the state-approved education provider and developer of pre-licensing and continuing education courses. KWRI encourages individuals to pursue a career in real estate by funding their pre-licensing courses. Please find Kaplan’s specific state approval information here. In Iowa, KSCORE® offers financial assistance for 60 PL course-hours; the student must pay for any additional required PL course-hours. TREC Provider #4546 (PL) and #31 (CE). Any questions regarding PL and CE course content or technology should be directed to Kaplan Real Estate Education.
KW Prep® is not approved by any state regulatory agency to satisfy the required pre-licensing or continuing education requirements for real estate agents or brokers. This Keller Williams Realty, LLC program is not a recognized educational institution for higher education or an accredited school, and it does not offer courses for credit. KW Prep® is designed to help set individuals up for success in their real estate career.