How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Canada?
It varies. Each Canadian province in Canada has slightly different requirements. But nationwide, most people need between 6 and 18 months of study to complete the program, get a background check completed, and get at least a provisional license.This is assuming you already have at least a 12th grade education in Canada, or the equivalent. You can also meet the pre-requisite by passing the Salesperson Program Exam in your province.
Some real estate training programs in the United States can be completed much more quickly. For example, in Florida, it’s possible for motivated individuals who already have a high school diploma or equivalent to complete a pre-licensing course and take the licensing exam in as little as two to five weeks.
Here in Canada, the academic requirements tend to be more rigorous, and take longer to complete.
But for those willing to work hard and do what it takes to succeed as an agent, the efforts are more than worthwhile. Real estate in Canada offers multiple rewarding career paths as you develop, unlimited income potential, and the opportunity to be your own boss and run your own business.
The “Articling Period”
Depending on your province, you may need to complete a two-year provisional period, called an “articling period.” During this period, some brokerages provide you with additional training and supervision. You will also need to complete additional coursework during your articling period, or your registration will lapse. You need to choose your brokerage wisely.However, you can begin representing buyers, sellers and getting paid commissions as soon as your coursework is complete, you’ve passed all the tests, you’ve passed a criminal background check, your initial license is in force, and you have errors and omissions insurance in place.
Completing the Coursework
There’s no single Canada-wide process to becoming a real estate agent. Registration, licensing, and regulation all happens at the provincial level. And each province has a slightly different approach to the required coursework, fee structure, testing requirements, and articling period.However, we can take Ontario as an example:
Ontario
As of 2022, all new real estate pre-licensing trainees must complete the approved “Pre-Registration Learning Path” at Humber College. This is available either in person on campus, or you can take the coursework online, or remotely.
The Ontario Pre-Registration Learning Path consists of five courses:
- Real Estate Essentials. The first course in the program covers the role of the agent and the basics of the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBBA) as well as other applicable laws and regulations.
- Real Estate Transactions. This course focuses on the basics of residential real estate transactions, contract preparation, and basic marketing strategies.
- Additional Real Estate Transactions. This course expands the residential real estate content to include condominiums, new construction, rural properties, apartments, and residential leasing.
- Commercial Real Estate Transactions. This course prepares future agents to work with clients in buying, listing, and selling commercial properties and businesses.
- Getting Started. The final course in the Pre-Registration program is designed to help new agents apply what they’ve learned and build a foundation for success in their new career. The course also helps guide future agents on how to select a brokerage to work for.
The other provincial real estate pre-licensing programs will generally cover similar topics.
In British Columbia, for example, pre-license trainees must enroll in the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course, sponsored by the Real Estate Division of the BC Financial Services Authority. You can take this course by Zoom conference.
In British Columbia, unlike Ontario, you have only one year to complete the program. You can enroll at any time, but you’re not allowed to move too fast through the course and pass your final examination. The program allows you to complete no more than two assignments per week beginning on your Course Registration Date.
Alberta
In Alberta, however, you are expected to complete the real estate prelicensing program in six months. Alberta real estate pre-licensing education consists of the Fundamentals of Real Estate course, and four practice courses in commercial real estate, property management, residential real estate, and rural/agri-business real estate.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta no longer offers coursework directly. Instead, you must enroll in the Real Estate and Property Management program at one of these Recognized Course Providers.
Manitoba
In Manitoba, the Manitoba Real Estate Association offers pre-licensing course directly. You must enroll via the Association website.
The program consists of four modules – all of which must be completed within sixteen months of your initial Module 1 enrollment date.
You have to complete each of Modules 1 through 3 with at least a 70 percent score and complete the final exam for each module. Module 4 does not have an online exam. However, Module 4 requires you to complete 2.5 days of classroom learning.
After you complete Module 4, you must be engaged with a broker firm within six months.
Quebec
For those of you in Quebec, you must enroll in pre-license training at a course provider recognized by the Authority of Real Estate Brokerage in Quebec. (Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec, or OACIQ).
Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland and Labrador, pre-licensees must enroll in the Newfoundland-Labrador Association of Realtors’ Pre-License Salesperson course. This course is self-paced. So the length you take to complete the course is up to you. Once you’re ready, you can take the exam, which is 75 questions. You must get at least a 70% to pass. You get up to three attempts. There is a $100 fee for the second and third attempt.
Exams must be taken in person. There is no option to take them online.
Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, you must complete four phases of instruction in six courses via the UBC Saunder School of Business. The second phase consists of three courses: Residential, commercial, and farm real estate. You must complete each phase in order. But you can enroll in all three Phase 2 courses at the same time if you want to shorten the process.
For more information on completing real estate license requirements anywhere in Canada, you should contact your provinces Real Estate Association, or visit their website for details.
Get A Jump-Start on Your Real Estate Career
If you are committed to doing the hard work it takes to achieve success as a real estate professional, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a recent graduate of a pre-license training program, or you’re seriously considering real estate as a career and thinking about enrolling, give Web Max a call.We have programs to assist, train, and mentor real estate professionals at all levels of the profession, including those enrolled in pre-licensing programs anywhere in Canada.
For more information, visit our Careers page. Or click here to learn how Web Max can help you pay for your real estate licensing, education, and training!
We look forward to seeing you on our team.