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