Online Implicit Bias Training and Cultural Competency CE Options

With heightened awareness around bias and diversity in real estate, many agents are looking to beef up their knowledge through training – and often they’re required to by new laws. Fortunately, there are plenty of convenient online courses and resources to meet these needs. Here we’ll outline what’s out there, especially regarding continuing education (CE) classes on implicit bias and cultural competency, and how you can take advantage.

State-Mandated Courses

As mentioned earlier, states like California and New York have led the charge in requiring bias training for real estate professionals. If you’re in California, any license renewal on or after January 1, 2023 must include a two-hour Implicit Bias training course (in addition to a refreshed three-hour Fair Housing course that now has interactive components) dre.ca.gov. This is part of your 45-hour CE package – in other words, it’s not optional. The California course is designed to help agents understand the history and science of bias and how it affects their business, with role-play scenarios to practice fair treatment dre.ca.gov. New York rolled out a similar mandate effective September 21, 2022: all NY salespersons and brokers need to take 2 hours of Cultural Competency and 2 hours of Implicit Bias training as part of their 22.5-hour CE cycle keepmecertified.com. These are now permanent requirements in NY, reflecting the state’s efforts to curb housing discrimination. So if you’re licensed in NY, you’ll be completing those courses every two years. Other states are following suit or enhancing their fair housing training – for example, New Jersey introduced a requirement for brokers on implicit bias, and Oregon added more emphasis on bias in their curricula. Always check your state’s Real Estate Commission or Department of State website for the latest CE requirements so you don’t accidentally let one of these new topics slip through the cracks.

What to Expect in an Online Bias or Cultural Competency Course

These courses are typically a few hours long and can often be taken at your own pace through an approved online real estate school or association. They usually cover:

• Definitions and Concepts: You’ll get the basics of implicit bias, explicit bias, systemic bias, and cultural competency terminology (with examples relevant to real estate).
• Fair Housing Law Refresher: Even if titled “Implicit Bias,” most courses tie back to fair housing obligations – explaining how unconscious bias can lead to violations if unchecked, and reiterating the protected classes and rules.
• Scenarios and Case Studies: Good courses use real-life scenarios or case studies to show how these issues play out. For instance, you might watch (or read about) a scenario of an agent unintentionally steering a buyer, then analyze what went wrong. Or a case study about appraisal bias or how an agent successfully works with a client from a different culture. Interactive courses might have you answer knowledge-check questions about what you’d do in certain situations.
• Strategies and Best Practices: This is the “takeaway” – practical tips on avoiding bias (many of which we’ve discussed in previous sections), like standardizing procedures, using inclusive language, being aware of local cultural groups, etc. For cultural competency, courses often delve into communication styles and customs of different cultures, which can be fascinating and directly useful in our daily work.
• Sometimes, Guest Experts or Interviews: Some training providers bring in experts – e.g., sociologists, experienced diversity trainers, or top-producing agents from diverse markets – to share insights. For example, one online CE course in NY features a DEI consultant discussing real-world best practices for inclusion in real estate keepmecertified.com.

Since these courses are mandated or elective CE, they usually have an exam or quiz at the end to verify your learning (don’t worry, if you paid attention, it’s usually straightforward!).

Where to Find Courses

A variety of providers offer these trainings. Online real estate schools (like Empire Learning, The CE Shop, McKissock, Kaplan, etc.) have added approved implicit bias and cultural competency courses to their catalogs as states have rolled out requirements. According to a legal industry update, much of the training for real estate pros is offered by third-party educational institutions, and industry leaders have been actively developing new content jacksonlewis.com. For example, the National Association of REALTORS® in 2020 created an online implicit bias training video (about 50 minutes) which is free for members and highly recommended jacksonlewis.com. They even introduced a certification course in 2022 for agents who want to delve deeper and signal their commitment to this issue jacksonlewis.com. On the commercial side, organizations like the Appraisal Institute have started requiring their members to take bias training too, as we noted earlier. The good news is online format means you can often complete these classes from home, on your schedule. Many are mobile-friendly as well.

When choosing a course, ensure it’s approved for CE in your state if you need the credit. State real estate boards typically have a list of approved courses/providers on their website. If you’re just taking it for your own improvement and not credit, you have more freedom – you could even look at courses from other states or more informal webinars. But if it’s to fulfill a requirement, make sure you pick the right one. For instance, California’s specific implicit bias course is uniquely approved by the DRE (California Bureau of Real Estate) – other states’ courses wouldn’t count for a CA renewal, and vice versa.

Cost and Access

These courses are generally inexpensive, especially considering they often count toward your required hours. Some state REALTOR® associations provide them free or at low cost to members. Others might bundle them in a CE package. Typically, a 2–4 hour online CE course might range from $15 to $40 if bought separately. Given the importance of the topic, it’s money well spent. Also, some employers or large brokerages are now footing the bill for their agents to take such training, as part of company-wide DEI initiatives.

Beyond CE – Other Resources

In addition to formal courses, there are webinars, workshops, and even YouTube videos on these subjects:

• The NAR “Bias Override” Video Series (Parts 1, 2, 3) is a great free resource ncjar.comncjar.com. It covers what implicit bias is, how it can lead to fair housing violations, and strategies to overcome bias. You can watch these on NAR’s site or YouTube; each part is around 15–20 minutes, perfect for a sales meeting or personal study.
• Local Fair Housing Agencies often host training sessions, especially during Fair Housing Month (April). These might be webinars now (which anyone can sign up for) covering local issues and case studies.
• Brokerage Training: Some large companies have developed their own internal training modules on bias and inclusion. If your brokerage offers this, take advantage of it – it can be more tailored to your market area.
• Cultural Organizations: Groups like the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) or National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) frequently provide cultural awareness programs that, while not titled “bias training,” effectively serve to educate agents on working with those communities (and they’re open to any agent, not just those of that ethnicity).

Staying Current

It’s worth noting that this is an evolving area. Fair housing and bias issues continue to make news (sadly, we still see headlines about audit tests revealing discrimination, or new laws being proposed). So, it’s wise to refresh your training every so often – not just when you have to for CE. As a professional, staying updated on these topics means you’ll never be caught off guard by a question or a situation. It also means you can speak confidently to clients about your commitment to fair and equal service, which can be a selling point.

For example, if a client asks, “What do you know about the new bias training requirement? Why do they have that?”, you can explain that some states now mandate it because it’s been shown to improve agent practices and reduce discrimination – and that you’ve taken such training and continually seek to better your understanding. That reassurance can put especially minority clients at ease.

Conclusion

Finding online implicit bias and cultural competency training is easier than ever. Whether you need it for credit or just want to improve your skillset, there’s a course out there for you – likely just a few clicks away. And far from being a dry obligation, many agents find these courses refreshing and motivating. They often spark a new way of thinking about your business and clients. So, if you haven’t yet, explore the options available and sign up. By actively engaging in this education, you’re signaling that you take fair housing and inclusion seriously. In turn, you’ll be better equipped to thrive in our diverse, dynamic real estate market.

To Learn More...

For real estate professionals, understanding these concepts can be particularly valuable during discussions with clients about why REALTORS® and real estate agents are knowledgable professionals.

If you’re preparing for your Real Estate Continuing Education or looking to enhance your knowledge through a Real Estate Course, topics like Healthy Homes can help set you apart.

As part of your License Renewal Course or other Real Estate CE efforts, staying informed on foundational property concepts can make a big difference in your expertise and client relationships.