Program for REALTORS®
The PDP has changed
Effective
January 1, 2020
Your existing PDP
credits have been converted
to PDP hours
You now earn 18 hours
of professional development
in two categories
Relicensing education,
like Legal Update, doesn’t count
toward your PDP hours
The PDP is still
aligned with your 2-year
licensing cycle
What is Self-Directed Professional Development?
Self-directed professional development is learning that has not been accredited by boards or BCREA but enhances your professional practice. It allows you to be recognized for learning that meets your individual needs.
Each licensing cycle, 6 hours of your PDP requirements can be met through self-directed learning. To count toward your self-directed PDP hours, a learning opportunity must:
1. Enhance your professional practice
2. Be verifiable and auditable by your board
3. Be a minimum of one hour in length
BCREA does not endorse specific external vendor learning opportunities as eligible for self-directed. Use the criteria and check in with your local real estate board if you are unsure about a learning opportunity being eligible.
Take the quiz!
Hover over each example to find out if it could count toward your self-directed PDP hours!
Industry conference
Yes. A variety of learning formats, such as conferences, webinars, workshops and online learning, that enhance your professional practice, are verifiable and auditable, and last at least one hour could count toward your self-directed PDP hours.
Brokerage or franchise training
Yes. Provided it enhances your professional practice, is verifiable and auditable, and lasts at least one hour, brokerage and franchise training could count toward your self-directed PDP hours.
Learning not directly related to real estate
Maybe! Learning that's not directly related to real estate but helps you better serve your clients could count toward self-directed PDP hours, provided it's also verifiable, auditable and lasts at least one hour.
Listening to a podcast
No. While all learning is encouraged, professional development that's not verifiable, such as reading or listening to a podcast, will not count toward your self-directed PDP hours. As always, if you're not sure, consult with your board.
What Does Self-Directed Learning Mean for You?
What is Accredited Professional Development?
Accredited professional development is learning that's been accredited by boards and/or BCREA and contributes to the fundamental skills, experience and knowledge required of REALTORS® throughout the province.
Each licensing cycle, you will be required to complete at least 12 hours of accredited professional development. You can find a list of all accredited learning opportunities here.
Top Five Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fulfill all 18 required PDP hours with accredited learning opportunities?
Yes. You may fulfill all 18 hours through accredited learning if you choose.
Will Legal Update still count toward my PDP hours?
No. Education taken to maintain your licence with RECBC won’t count toward your PDP hours.
What happens if I’ve already fulfilled my PDP requirements for my current licensing cycle?
In this case, the changes won't affect you until your next licensing cycle.
What will happen to the PDP credits I’ve already earned during this licensing cycle?
Your board will convert your existing PDP credits to PDP hours on January 1.
When can I start earning self-directed PDP hours?
You can start earning self-directed PDP hours for learning opportunities taking on or after January 1, 2020.
PDP Resources
For REALTORS®:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Accredited Learning Resource
- Self-Directed Learning Resource
- Presentation with Speaking Notes to Present at Your Brokerage (click link to download PPT)
- Documentation to provide proof of completion for brokerage training - Contact your member board
For Managing Brokers:
For External Vendors:
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) and BC’s 10 real estate boards oversee the ongoing development and delivery of the PDP. In consultation with REALTORS®, brokers, and instructors from across the province, BCREA and the boards developed this new PDP framework with the aim of giving REALTORS® more flexibility in their professional development.
Questions
Submit your questions about the PDP to BCREA using the form below.