WANT TO BE A REALTOR®?
Becoming a REALTOR®
Becoming a commercial or residential REALTOR® means making a commitment to professionalism that goes beyond regulatory requirements, becoming a member of your local real estate board and upholding the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. Find out how to join the profession.
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STEP 1
Successfully complete the Real Estate Council of BC’s (RECBC) Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course offered through the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.
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STEP 2
Successfully complete RECBC’s Residential or Commercial Trading Services Applied Practice course, depending on whether you want to practice residential or commercial real estate.
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STEP 3
Find a brokerage you want to work for once you’re licensed. Make sure this brokerage is a member of a local real estate board.
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STEP 4
If you have successfully completed your regulatory licensing training, your brokerage will sign your application and mandatory criminal record check and then send both to RECBC.
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STEP 5
Congratulations, if your application is approved, you’re now a real estate agent…
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STEP 6
. . .but not yet a REALTOR®. To officially become a REALTOR®, your next step is to join your local real estate board. Joining a board also makes you a member of BCREA and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
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STEP 7
Maintain your real estate license by completing RECBC mandatory licensing courses, like Legal Update, once every two years.
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STEP 8
Maintain your REALTOR® designation by completing 18 hours of professional development through BCREA and/or member-board accredited learning every two years.
What is the Value of Becoming a REALTOR®?
Benefits of being a REALTOR® include:
- Access to MLS® Systems operated by real estate boards
- Professional standards and business practices
- Access to standard forms
- Educational standards and opportunities
- Access to statistics, newsletters and other industry communications
- Leading-edge marketing and technology tools
- Arbitration services
- Networking opportunities
Supporting Organizations
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Real Estate Council of BC
Regulatory agency in charge of licensing, Real Estate Services Act, and complaints against licensees.
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Real Estate Foundation of BC
Funds real estate related education, research, law reform, and other activities.
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Office of the Superintendent
of Real Estate
Real Estate Council oversight, and licensing and practice rules.
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Real Estate
Errors & Omissions
Liability, insurance, and insurance protection.
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Real Estate
Compensation Fund
Oversees compensation fund and trust accounts. Protects public from suffering compensable loss.
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Real Estate
Institute of BC
Umbrella group for the real estate industry responsible for professional development seminars, workshops, and high industry standards.
- National Standards
- CREA Brands and Trademarks
- Federal Government Advocacy
- Economic Analysis
- Communication
- Education
- Economics
- Government Relations
- Standard Forms
- Arbitration
- MLS®
- Education
- Marketing Tools
- High Standards of Business Practice and Ethics
- Commercial Transactions
- Residential Transactions
- Leasing and Renting
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
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Ideas into Action: BCREA Managing Brokers’ ConferenceRegister today for BCREA’s second Managing Brokers’ Conference and join managing and associate brokers from across BC on October 16 and 17 at the Coast Capri Hotel in beautiful Kelowna for a day of networking…