How do you become a licensed real estate salesperson or broker in Ontario? It’s a question we’re asked a lot and so we decided to put together a handy guide to help you navigate the early steps of a career in real estate sales.
With over 56,000 licensed real estate Brokers and Salespersons in the Greater Toronto Area alone, the real estate industry has grown considerably in recent years. It’s clear to see why, with demand high and prices increasing, there is plenty of opportunity to carve out a successful and profitable career for people with the right approach, attitude, effort and support. But what are the first steps and how do you get started as a licensed real estate salesperson? Read on to find out…
Take Your Courses
As it is a regulated profession in Ontario, anyone looking to work in real estate sales must register with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). Before registering, however, you must complete mandatory pre-registration education courses and examinations.
The required program is known as the “Pre-Registration Learning Path” and is offered by Humber College. The course is very flexible and can fit around your current commitments. Learning materials are also accessible online, so remote learning is an option. To qualify for entry to the program, you must hold a Canadian secondary school diploma or GED certificate or an equivalent credential that the college accepts.
According to the Humber College website, the program will offer a variety of benefits for participants. That includes a learning path that will follow “the flow of a real estate transaction” and give participants valuable insights and an understanding of key aspects of real estate. Participants will also benefit from online data banks of searchable information, as well as vital information to help you get started in real estate sales and find your first sales position.
The program is split into five courses:
- Real Estate Essentials – this looks at the role of a salesperson and important legal requirements based on the various codes and rules governing real estate in Ontario.
- Real Estate Transactions – this course looks at the processes involved in listing, buying and selling residential real estate and also begins looking at marketing strategies and real estate contracts.
- Additional Real Estate Transactions – following on from the previous course, this focuses on leasing and additional property types such as condos, new homes and rural properties.
- Commercial Real Estate Transactions – this course looks at the processes involved in buying, selling and listing commercial properties, and the brokering the sale of a business.
- Getting Started – this course gives an overview on how to get started with a career in real estate.
Examinations will be held at the end of each course and these must be passed in order to move onto the next course.
In addition to the courses, there are two separate in-person simulation sessions that last a week each. In these sessions, participants will get a chance to apply their new knowledge in real-life scenarios.
The course needed to be taken in order and there are flexible schedules available, including online learning options for those who live far away. Because of the flexibility, completion time varies amongst candidates but, in general it takes nine months to a year to complete all the required parts of the program. Once you pass all your examinations and complete your simulation sessions, you will have successfully completed the program and can then move on to the next step.
Find a Brokerage
After successfully completing your pre-registration course, it’s time to find yourself a brokerage and a broker of record to work under. These come in all shapes and sizes in the GTA – from small independent brokerages to huge multinational corporations with franchises across the globe. Each brokerage works differently, with different support services and marketing approaches, for example. However, most share common features in the way they hire and employ licensed real estate sales people. The most common feature is a regular fee paid by the salesperson to the brokerage. This can take the form of franchise fees, desk fees, brokerages or often a combination of those.
One brokerage that operates with a different model is Living Realty. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, it is a family-operated brokerage operating out of a large head office in Markham and with five office locations across the GTA and approximately 650 active real estate sales agents. Unusually for a North American real estate brokerage, Living Realty does not charge any fees to its agents. No desk fees, no franchise fees, no office fees; nothing. At the same time, Living Realty provides industry-leading back office support and ongoing training – investing in its agents and helping them to grow into better and more successful sales people. Many of the most successful sales people in the Greater Toronto Area started their careers with Living Realty and remain as part of the Living Realty family to this day.
Register with RECO
Once you have completed the pre-registration education courses and associated yourself with a brokerage, you can apply to register with RECO. You must apply within 12 months of completing your final examination, otherwise you will be required to retake the entire program, so don’t take too long!
To apply to be a new registered salesperson, you must complete and submit the RECO application online and pay the relevant application fee, which was $590 for a new salesperson at the time this article was published.
The first two years as a newly licensed real estate salesperson is called your “articling” period. During this time, you must complete several more mandatory continuing education courses within the 2-year articling period after which you will become a full-fledged sales representative. Thereafter, every registrant must continue to take Continuing Education courses offered by RECO every two years to renew their licence.
Suresh Parmar says
Excellent Explation.
Yusuf Talukder says
Good information.
If any body has criminal record in the past, can he get license?
James Ellener says
A criminal record check is required when applying to become a real estate salesperson but a criminal record may not disqualify someone, depending on the crime. RECO would be able to provide more clarity on this.
Saima Tahir says
I want to become real estate agent
MICHAEL Oni says
Greatly informative! Thanks!!
Anna says
So there is no need to have a Canadian green card to work as a real estate agent in Ontario?
James Ellener says
In order to work in Ontario, you need to have the correct permissions. That could be permanent residency, citizenship, or a work permit. We are not experts in employment law, however, so please double check the information for yourself.
Selina says
This is very informative! Thank you.
Tracey says
Is Humber the only place to take the course?
James Ellener says
Currently, Humber College is the only place to take the required courses to become a registered real estate salesperson.
simran says
Hello, I actually enrolled in law clerk 2 year course in Seneca College. It is my last semester and in my 2nd semester and 3rd semester, I completed my real estate course in the program. Am I eligible for real estate salesperson license, and I also read somewhere that if we had done similar course then we are eligible to move directly to step 2 rather complete the first step which is Pre-registration phase. Please let me know if you know anything about this. Thanks
James Ellener says
RECO allows some stages of the pre-learning to be skipped based on prior experience or education. You have to apply for an education equivalency assessment to see if the course you took qualifies: https://www.reco.on.ca/real-estate-professionals/education/equivalency/
One of the examples they list as qualifying for exemption is “Completed a recognized real estate registration or licence program in a Canadian jurisdiction in the past five (5) years.” You would need to check with them whether your Seneca course falls into this or any other category.
Matteo says
well put together. Thanks !
Amit says
Could I take the course and start my business directly, without having the need to work for a brokerage firm?
James Ellener says
In Ontario and most of North America, a real estate salesperson cannot work independently and must be under the supervision of a broker. Only a broker can manage a brokerage.
In order to become a broker in Ontario, you must gain additional qualifications and need to have been registered as a salesperson for at least 24 of the 36 months preceding the date of your application.
Albert Lang says
Is Humber College the only school that offers courses?
James Ellener says
Currently, yes. It may change in the future.
George Kwiczala says
Question. I had my real estate licence for over 15 years but then I gave up my licence several years ago and stopped taking the mandatory courses, What would I need to do to get reinstated, is it possible thank you.
James Ellener says
According to RECO, it depends on how much time has passed since your registration lapsed. If it is 2 to 5 years, you may need to take courses, but can apply for an exemption. If it is over 5 years, you will have to take the courses.
Vivien Levermore says
A lot of people refer to it as a licence, is this correct? I thought we were registrants not licensees?
James Ellener says
According to RECO, those who pass the requirements are “registered” salespersons or brokers.
Stephanie Morrison says
There are many real estate agents selling homes that did not go to Humber. I am confused as it says that this program is ‘required’ in order to become licensed. Can you not apply for your license and write the test another way? with an established agency?
James Ellener says
Previously, the courses could also be taken through “OREA College” but that option ended on June 11, 2021. Presently, Humber College is the only option but that may change in the future.
Howard T. says
Is this course available online? also is there a mandatory vaccine requirement for this courses. Finally why does the course take nine months to a year for completion?
Thanks 🙏
James Ellener says
Currently, the course is only available at Humber College. I am unsure of any provisions they may have made for online learning at this time so you would be best checking with them. In terms of vaccine requirements, Humber College appears to have a vaccine policy requiring staff and students to be vaccinated if visiting campus: https://humber.ca/staff/announcement/humber-college-covid-19-vaccine-policy-statement
The course takes nine months because the different sections and exams must be completed sequentially and cannot be done at the same time.
Tung Nguyen says
I am a licensed realtor in the other province. If I want to move to ON and work as a realtor, what steps I must take to enable working there ? Do I have to attend the “Pre-Registration Learning Path” ? Thanks.
James Ellener says
Usually, you do not need to complete the pre-registration learning path. Realtors licensed or registered in other provinces can generally take the Interprovincial Challenge Examination in Ontario. Upon successful completion of that exam, you can then apply to RECO to be registered as either a salesperson or broker. This examination is provided by Humber College so must be booked through the college.
Hao Ni says
Hi James
What does the Interprovincial Challenge Exam consist of for agents From Quebec
to get an Ontario License ?
James Ellener says
According to CREA, the exam focuses on Ontario-specific skills and knowledge “such as: Ontario laws, including real property law, commercial and residential real estate transactions in Ontario, and RECO’s governing legislation, the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA 2002).”
Sim says
There are two programs on Humber college website to become a real estate agent. Real estate salesperson and real estate broker. Can someone go for real estate broker directly?
James Ellener says
No, the first step has to be a real estate salesperson. When you apply to be a broker, one of the requirements is that you must have been registered as a salesperson for at least 24 of the previous 36 months.
Arun Varghese says
Can international students get an education visa for the Real Estate Salesman program?
James Ellener says
You’re probably best checking with Humber College with regards to student visas as that’s not our area of expertise
Laura says
Is there a program for immigrants who are licensed in another country? I’m going to be moving to Ontario in the future, but am a US citizen. I will have been an active agent for several years by that time. Thanks!
James Ellener says
As far as I am aware, the only program for converting a license or registration from elsewhere is the Interprovincial Challenge Examination, which is for people arriving in Ontario from elsewhere in Canada. I don’t think there is anything for realtors from the US.
Ryan says
Can you clarify what the simulation sessions are and how they work especially if I’m going to be online because of distance?
James Ellener says
There are two simulation sessions (one for residential real estate and one for commercial real estate). They allow students to practice “core activities and tasks related to.. real estate transactions” and are done with an experienced real estate professional as a coach. So, you get to test your knowledge in simulated real-life situations. I’m not sure how different it will be online vs being in the classroom but the core structure will likely be the same.
anil agarwal says
Hi,
Thanks for sharing all these points.
I need a few clarifications:
1. How fast can a person go to become a licensed Real Estate Sales person. Is it possible to clear all the exams sequentially in 2 months, if someone is totally free to prepare?
2. Once some clear all the exams and registered with RECO, can he start selling immediately? Or he needs to wait for some period to start?
3.As you mentioned that there are so many different Brokerages in the Ontario Market. Do they charge same amount of fees and/or they provide the same commission?
4. Is there any restriction on the Brokerages to charge fees from the Selling agents, from RECO.
5.What is eXp Realty? I heard a lot about them through online. Are they a different kind of Brokerage house?
Thank you so much for all your help.
Anil
James Ellener says
Hi Anil,
1. It wouldn’t be possible in two months. Because each step has to be taken sequentially, you cannot register for the next step until you have completed the previous step. Generally, it takes at least nine months to go through all the steps.
2. Once you have passed the exams and registered with RECO, you can begin to work as a real estate salesperson straight away, although you will need to work under a broker of record at a brokerage.
3. No. Different brokerages have different fees and commission splits. Most brokerages will charge some kind of fees for salespeople – they could be desk fees, franchise fees, offices fees or a combination. At Living Realty, we are unique in that we do not charge any such fees.
4. RECO has lots of rules about fees and their use but, as far as I’m aware, they don’t put a limit on them.
5. It appears that they are a brokerage
Muhammad Raza says
Excellent n Very Informative..
Stacey says
What if you live in Northern Ontario and can not get to the college physically for the Sims?
James Ellener says
Humber College offers online learning options and they also have options to take the examinations online.
harsh v says
Hello Stacey,
I also live in Northern Ontario and planning to take a course soon. May i know which north part are you applying from ?
Thank you.
Reem Al Ani says
Hello James,
Thank you so much for the explanation and your responses to everyone’s questions I read all the comments. this is the first page I came across that made sense!
I have a few questions:
1- I have finished high school in IRAQ about 11 years ago. so it’s nowhere close to being a Canadian one
how would that work when applying to Humber? I don’t have the diploma with me and it’s hard to establish since I am not there.
2- I do live in Ontario but since I am able to take the courses online even the stimulation I don’t need to worry about the proof of vaccine correct?
3- once I have taken the proper courses and have completed the necessary steps. When applying to Living Realty, is it very hard to get hired at such an established agency with no experience?
4- These courses offered by RECO every two years to renew the license, on average how long and complicated are they are they?
I am sorry I know those are a lot of questions but I am not quite knowledgeable when it comes to this area but I am very interested and curious about it.
Thank you very much in advance.
James Ellener says
Hi Reem,
In answer to your questions:
1. For people who do not have a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent, there is a Salesperson Admissions Exam that can be taken in order to qualify for the program. I don’t know too much about this but it looks like it is offered by the real estate program office at Humber College
2. I don’t know if I can answer that. Humber College does have a vaccination policy for entry to their campus, so I imagine it depends whether you will have to be there in person at any point.
3. At Living Realty, we are always on the lookout for newly-qualified agents who are hungry to learn and succeed.
4. The difficulty depends on the individual but the courses don’t take as long as the initial course. Some of the mandatory courses are 90 minutes long, for example. You can read more about them here: https://www.reco.on.ca/educationblog/category/mandatory-continuing-education/