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Education and Licensing FAQs

Education and Licensing FAQs

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To help you to get the information you need about education and licensing, we’ve collected some of the most commonly-asked questions about BCFSA’s real estate education and licensing requirements. You’ll find brief answers, along with step-by-step instructions for procedures such as applying for licence renewals, upgrades or extensions, course exemptions or adding services.

Further information on these and many more topics is available in the Education and Licensing Policies , or contact Education and Licensing directly at [email protected].

Taking a Break

  • Licenses are surrendered using the Real Estate Portal.

    If the professional was issued a paper licence, you will also need to return the paper licence, with the back side completed, by mail to:

    BC Financial Services Authority
    Attn: Licensing
    600-750 West Pender Street
    Vancouver, B.C.
    Canada, V6C 2T8

    When a real estate professional at your brokerage applies to BCFSA to transfer their licence to another brokerage, we will notify you, as the managing broker. Upon receiving this notification, you must surrender the individual’s licence.

    If you received a notice to surrender the licence of an individual who has transferred brokerages, you will need the professional’s full name and licence number, in order to complete the surrender, which can be found in the notice.

  • After you surrender your licence or let it expire there is a limited amount of time during which you can apply for relicensing without having to repeat the required licensing education. This is known as an Education Requalification Waiver Period, because BCFSA will waive the requalification requirements during this period.

    The length of your Education Requalification Waiver Period depends on:

    • Whether you are licensed as a representative or a broker; and
    • If you are licensed as a representative, the length of time you have been licensed.

    Under BCFSA’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy, the waiver periods are as follows:

    BCFSA may waive the requirement to requalify for licensing education requirements in the following cases.
    If you are a representative who has…    		Waiver Period
    …passed a licensing examfrom passing the exam to 1 year
    …been continuously licensed for less than 1 yearequivalent to your unbroken licensed period
    …been continuously licensed for 1 to 5 years1 year
    …been continuously licensed for 5 years or more2 years
    If you are an associate or managing broker5 years

    To determine the end date of your waiver period, please contact BCFSA’s Education Team.

    Once your waiver period has expired, if you want to become licensed again, you’ll need to requalify. That means you must successfully complete the applicable licensing examination, and the required components of the Applied Practice Course (if applicable).

    If you decide to surrender your licence temporarily, follow these steps to find out how long you can remain unlicensed before you will need to requalify:

    1. Surrender your license.
      Tell your managing broker that you wish to surrender your licence. The brokerage will complete the licence surrender. Once you’ve taken this step, you are no longer licensed and you cannot provide real estate services.
    2. Make a written request.
      As soon as you are no longer licensed, write to BCFSA to request a confirmation of your Education Requalification Waiver Period. Send an email to [email protected] and be sure to include your full legal name and the name of your former brokerage.
    3. Receive your response.
      We will notify you in writing of the end date of your Education Requalification Waiver Period.
    4. Apply for relicensing.
      If you apply for relicensing before your Education Requalification Waiver Period expires, you won’t be required to requalify.

    If you are unlicensed for longer than the permitted period, you will have to requalify, and you’ll need permission from BCFSA to rewrite the applicable licensing exams. To obtain permission, please see the Activating My Old Licence page.

    To become relicensed for more than one service category you must complete the applicable supplemental course and/or examination(s).

  • Yes. A parental leave of up to eighteen months is available for real estate licensees. Parental leave is available to either parent. Your parental leave can begin as early as 12 weeks before the expected date of birth and may be taken at any time up to eighteen months following the birth or adoption of a child.

    If you wish to take parental leave, you must apply to BCFSA in writing, enclosing a copy of the child’s birth certificate or proof of adoption. Follow these steps to apply for parental leave:

    1. Surrender your licence.
      Tell your managing broker that you wish to surrender your licence. Ask your managing broker to indicate parental leave as the surrender reason. The brokerage will complete the licence surrender. Once you’ve taken this step, you are no longer licensed and you cannot provide real estate services.
    2. Submit your request.
      Shortly after your child’s birth or adoption, you should receive the child’s government-issued birth certificate. When you’ve received it, email BCFSA at [email protected] requesting a parental leave and include a copy of the birth certificate showing the parents’ names. We must receive your request for parental leave within one year of the birth or adoption of your child.
    3. Receive your response.
      BCFSA will notify you in writing of the start and end dates of your parental leave. You must apply for relicensing on or before the end date of the leave.

    Parental Leave and Requalification Policies

    If you surrender your licence for a parental leave and resume your licence on or before the end date of the leave, the parental leave will show as a break in your licensing history, but will not affect the calculation of the length of your continuous unbroken service under the Representative’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy.

    If you decide to take an additional leave after the parental leave, you may do so in accordance with the Representative’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy. Your Education Requalification Waiver Period will be calculated from the end date of the parental leave. For confirmation of your Education Requalification Waiver Period, please submit a written request to [email protected].

  • Yes. A medical leave of up to one (1) year is available to licensees. You must submit a written request for medical leave to BCFSA. Your request will be reviewed and considered by BCFSA staff.

    Follow these steps to apply for medical leave:

    1. Surrender your licence.
      Tell your managing broker that you wish to surrender your licence. Ask your managing broker to indicate health/medical reasons as the surrender reason. The brokerage will complete the licence surrender. Once you’ve taken this step, you are no longer licensed and you cannot provide real estate services.
    2. Make a written request.
      Write to BCFSA asking for medical leave, indicating that you have surrendered your licence for medical/health reasons. Your written request for leave must include a full description of the reason why you are/were unable to work. Your request must also be supported by documentation that verifies your condition, such as:

      Letters from treating medical providers stating that include the following details:
      1. The severity of your condition/diagnosis which leaves you unable to work;
      2. The dates you have been under the medical provider’s care;
      3. The approximate date you will be able to return to work; and
      4. Records of disability payments or other similar documents (if applicable).

        You may be asked to provide originals in some cases.
    3. Receive notification
      If your medical leave is approved, BCFSA will notify you in writing of the start and end dates of the leave. You must apply for relicensing on or before the end date of the leave.

    Medical Leave and Requalification Policies

    If you surrender your licence for a medical leave and resume your licence on or before the end of the leave, the medical leave will show as a break in your licensing history, but will not affect the calculation of the length of your continuous unbroken service under the Representative’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy.If your medical condition persists, you may take additional leave following a medical leave in accordance with the Representative’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy. Your Education Requalification Waiver Period will be calculated from the end date of the medical leave. For confirmation of your Education Requalification Waiver Period, please submit a written request to [email protected].

  • Yes. Compassionate care leave of up to twenty-eight weeks is available to allow real estate licensees to care for a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death within the twenty-eight week period.

    Follow these steps to apply for compassionate care leave:

    1. Surrender your license.
      Tell your managing broker that you wish to surrender your licence. Ask the managing broker to indicate compassionate care leave as the surrender reason. The brokerage will complete the licence surrender. Once you’ve taken this step, you are no longer licensed and you cannot provide real estate services.
    2. Make a written request.
      Write to BCFSA to ask for compassionate care leave, indicating that you have surrendered your licence to care for a family member. Attach a copy of a medical certificate from a medical practitioner stating that the family member has a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death within twenty-eight weeks to support your request. You may be asked to send an original by mail.
    3. Receive notification.
      BCFSA will notify you in writing of the start and end dates of the compassionate care leave. You must apply for relicensing on or before the end date of the leave.

    Compassionate Care Leave and Requalification Policies

    If you surrender your licence for compassionate care leave and resume your licence within 28 weeks, the leave will show as a break in your licensing history, but will not affect the calculation of the length of your continuous unbroken service under the Representative’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy. You may take additional leave following a compassionate care leave in accordance with the Representative’s Education Requalification Waiver Policy. Your Education Requalification Waiver Period will be calculated from the end date of the compassionate care leave. For confirmation of your Education Requalification Waiver Period, please submit a written request to [email protected].

Adding Another Service Category

  • To add another real estate service to your licence you must complete the applicable supplemental course and examination. To register for a course, visit the UBC Sauder School of Business, Real Estate Division’s online registration webpage. You will need a UBC student ID number in order to register. Contact the Real Estate Division directly for that information.

    The supplemental courses are shortened versions of the licensing course: you must complete 12 assignments, and pass a 2 hour exam with 60 questions. The supplemental course fee is $775.

    Before starting a supplemental course, make sure that your brokerage is licensed to provide the service you want to add. If your brokerage isn’t licensed for that service category, you would need to change brokerages to conduct the activity. Representatives can only be licensed to one brokerage at a time, and you can only provide the services your brokerage is licensed to provide.

  • The licence fee is $1,630 for a first time licence and $1,580 for a renewal, regardless of how many services you are licensed to provide. There is a fee of $250 for adding a service category to your licence during the two year licence period . If you do not wish to conduct the service immediately, you can wait and add the new service category to your licence at the time of renewal, at no additional cost.

  • Yes. Once you have completed a supplemental course, you must add the new service category to your licence within one year of passing the examination. If your brokerage isn’t licensed for that service category, you would need to change brokerages to conduct the activity. Representatives can only be licensed to one brokerage at a time, and you can only provide the services your brokerage is licensed to provide. If you go past one year without adding the service to your licence, you will need to either retake the examination or retake the course and examination depending on when you completed your course assignments. If you cease to be licensed without adding the service to your license and your Education Requalification Waiver Period expires, you will have to requalify for any services you wish to resume providing.

  • Yes. You must successfully complete the Strata Management Supplemental course and examination in order to qualify for licensing to provide strata management services.

    The supplemental course is a shorter version of the licensing course: you must complete 12 assignments and pass a 2 hour exam with 60 questions. The supplemental course fee is $775.

    You can register for a supplemental course with the UBC Sauder School of Business, Real Estate Division.

  • No. If you have completed the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course, you can learn more about how to become registered as a mortgage broker. You can be licensed under the Real Estate Services Act and the Mortgage Brokers Act at the same time.

Transferring Your Licence

Renewing Your Licence

  • Licensees must complete one applicable Legal Update course during each two-year licence period. If you are licensed to provide more than one service (e.g. trading services and strata management services), you are still only required to complete one Legal Update course.

    All licensees are required to complete one applicable Ethics course during their two-year licence term in order to renew a licence on or after October 1, 2020.

    All licensees must have also completed the Anti-Money Laundering in Real Estate course in order to renew a licence on or after April 1, 2020.

Reputation and Suitability

  • The Real Estate Services Act requires applicants for a licence to be “of good reputation” and not “been convicted of an offence for a reason that reveals the applicant as unfit to be a licensee”.

    When applying for a licence, all applicants must provide a criminal record check with their application. You must disclose any criminal convictions and charges under a federal or provincial enactment, or under the law of any foreign jurisdiction, including any conditional or absolute discharges. Please also provide a statement explaining the circumstances that gave rise to any convictions or charges as well as copies of sentencing documents. If BCFSA has questions, you will be contacted and asked to provide further information. BCFSA also reviews applicants’ general business and personal reputations. Depending upon the circumstances and on your recent record, a criminal record may not necessarily be a bar to licensing.

    If you have concerns about your eligibility for licensing, review BCFSA’s Good Reputation, Suitability and Fitness Guidelines. If you still have questions, you may wish to seek legal advice.

  • The Real Estate Services Act requires that all applicants be “of good reputation.”

    On your licence application form, you must disclose any proposal or assignment in bankruptcy – either personal or business – and attach all relevant documents (see the next question for a list of required documents). BCFSA will review the details and history of any proposals or bankruptcy proceedings when considering your application for licensing.

    If you or your business have made a proposal, or have been or are currently the subject of an assignment in bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings, this doesn’t necessarily mean you are ineligible for licensing.

  • BCFSA application and renewal forms require applicants to indicate if they have ever been or are currently the subject of a proposal or assignment in bankruptcy, insolvency, or receivership proceeding, either personally or as the director, owner, officer or partner of a business.

    If your answer to question #2 or question #3 in the section of these applications respecting reputation and suitability is “Yes,” you must include full particulars with your application. The required documents are:

    If you or your business have made or been subject to…Include with your application
    Proposal under Division 1 of Part III of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency ActA copy of:
    - Statement of Affairs
    - Trustee/Administrator’s Report, or
    - Certificate of Full Performance
    Consumer Proposal made under Division 2 of Part III of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency ActA copy of:
    - Statement of Affairs
    - Trustee / Administrator’s Report, or
    - Certificate of Full Performance
    Assignment in BankruptcyA copy of:
    - Statement of Affairs, or
    - Certificate of Discharge
    Application for Bankruptcy OrderA copy of:
    - the Application for Bankruptcy Order
    Bankruptcy OrderA copy of:
    - the Bankruptcy Order
    Insolvency Proceeding, including a receivership or an arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA)A copy of:
    - Division I Proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (for companies with assets under $5,000,000)
    - A Plan of Arrangement and/or an Order of Protection under the CCAA (for companies with assets over $5,000,000)

  • The Real Estate Services Act requires that all applicants be “of good reputation.” When considering your application for licensing BCFSA will need to review the details and history of any proposals, assignments or bankruptcy proceedings you have been involved in, or which are currently ongoing.

    BCFSA will carefully review the documents provided to ensure no misconduct or questionable activities have occurred, about which BCFSA might wish to make inquiries.

  • There are two types of proposals for individual debtors: Consumer Proposals and Division I Proposals:

    • Consumer Proposals are for debtors with less than $250,000 of non-mortgage debt.
    • Division I Proposals are for debtors with more than $250,000 of non-mortgage debt.

    If the proposal is not accepted, bankruptcy proceedings may be initiated, either voluntarily or involuntarily:

    • A voluntary bankruptcy is called an Assignment in Bankruptcy.
    • An involuntary bankruptcy involves an Application for a Bankruptcy Order which is filed by a creditor with the Court. The Court may then issue a Bankruptcy Order, declaring the individual or business bankrupt. Once a Bankruptcy Order has been made, the bankruptcy process becomes identical to that in a voluntary bankruptcy. Involuntary bankruptcies of individuals are rare.

    To ensure complete disclosure, BCFSA requires that licence applicants disclose any current or past Consumer Proposals and Division 1 Proposals.

  • If you are applying for licensing as a managing broker, BCFSA will perform a credit check with the appropriate credit bureau to ascertain that you are in “sound financial circumstances.” This is necessary as section 72 [other trust account requirements] of the Real Estate Services Rules requires at least one related managing broker to be a signing authority on each trust account maintained by a brokerage.

    You will not be licensed as a managing broker/sole proprietor if the credit report indicates that you:

    • Are an undischarged bankrupt;
    • Have outstanding judgments against you; or
    • Are in arrears on trade accounts.

    If you are currently licensed as managing broker and are facing financial difficulties, please contact BCFSA’s office immediately to discuss your continued licensing as a managing broker.

Educational Exemptions

  • If it is more than one year since you passed the exam and more than two years since you completed the course assignments, you will need to retake the course.

    Students who complete a real estate licensing course have two years to successfully complete the applicable licensing exam, and may make no more than two attempts at the exam during that time.

    Students who do not successfully complete the licensing exam in either their first or second attempts in the two-year period following the completion of the Real Estate Licensing course must re-enroll in the course.

  • Provided that your education was completed within the last ten years, graduates of the BCIT Professional Real Estate diploma program (prior to January 1, 2020) or the Advanced Diploma in Professional Real Estate (after January 1, 2020) are exempted from the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course, the Rental Property Management Licensing course and the Broker’s Business Planning and Financial Management Licensing course. If you graduated from the program after September 1, 2008, you are also exempted from the Strata Management Licensing course.

    To qualify for licensing, you must still complete the applicable licensing exam. In addition, trading services licensees will be required to complete the Residential or Commercial Trading Services Applied Practice Course. You must also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement in order to schedule an exam.

    If you have graduated from the BCIT Professional Real Estate Diploma program or the Advanced Diploma in Professional Real Estate in the last ten years, contact BCFSA’s Education department at [email protected] to request a course exemption.

    Upon confirmation of your graduation from the Professional Real Estate diploma program or the Advanced Diploma in Professional Real Estate, information about examination registration and study materials will be provided.

  • Provided that your education has been completed within the last ten (10) years, UBC Bachelor of Commerce graduates may be exempted from the Real Estate Trading Services, Rental Property Management and Broker’s Business Planning and Financial Management Licensing courses and/or examinations.

    If you have been awarded a Masters of Science (M.Sc.) Real Estate or a Bachelor of Commerce Real Estate (B.Comm.) from UBC in the last ten (10) years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the applicable trading services and/or rental property management licensing course and examination if:

    • You hold an M.Sc. with Urban Land or Real Estate major.
    • You hold a B.Comm. Real Estate and your transcript indicates you have completed COMM: 434 – Land Law (or BUSI 111).

    If you have been awarded an M.Sc. Real Estate or a B.Comm. Real Estate from the University of British Columbia in the last ten (10) years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the managing broker course and examination.

    Note: to become licensed at the broker level individuals must have been licensed as a representative in BC for at least two (2) of the past five (5) years (sec 11 of the Rules).

    If you have been a student in an M.Sc. Real Estate or a B.Comm. program at UBC within the last ten (10) years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the trading services and/or rental property management licensing courses if:

    • You are a B.Comm. Real Estate student and your transcript indicates you have completed the following courses: COMM 307, 306, and 434 (or BUSI 111).If you have been a student in an M.Sc. Real Estate or a B.Comm. program at the University of British Columbia within the last ten (10) years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the managing broker course if:
    • Your transcript indicates you have completed the following courses: COMM 203, 205, 280, 290, 292, 293, 294, 295 (or equivalent).

    Note: to become licensed at the broker level individuals must have been licensed as a representative in BC for at least two (2) of the past five (5) years (sec 11 of the Rules).

    To receive the exemption, you must prove that you have completed the required courses by emailing a copy of your unofficial transcript to education@bcfsa.ca. If you are exempted from the course and examination, you may apply for licensing on or before the date provided to you by BCFSA. If you are exempted from the course only, BCFSA will provide you with information about how to proceed with writing the examination. You must provide an original, sealed transcript with your licence application. You must also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement in order to schedule an exam.

    Trading licensing applicants are required to register for either:

  • I have a Diploma in Urban Land Economics. What do I need to become licensed? If you have been awarded a Diploma in Urban Land Economics from UBC within the last ten years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the following:

    • Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course and examination.

    If you have been awarded a Diploma in Urban Land Economics with Real Estate Management Option from UBC within the last ten years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the following:

    • Rental Property Management Licensing course and examination.

    If you have been a student in the Diploma in Urban Land Economics program at UBC within the last ten years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the applicable licensing course if:

    • Your transcript indicates you have completed: BUSI 111, 121, 221, 330 (applies to trading services).
    • Your transcript indicates you have completed: BUSI 111, 330, 331 and 441 (applies to rental property management services).

    If you have been awarded a Diploma in Urban Land Economics program at UBC in the last ten years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the managing broker course and examination if:

    • Your transcript indicates you have completed: BUSI 111, 433.

    If you have been a student in the Diploma in Urban Land Economics program at UBC within the last ten years, you are eligible to request a waiver from the applicable licensing course if:

    • Your transcript indicates you have completed the following courses: BUSI 111, 433.

    To be licensed at the broker level you must have been licensed as a representative in BC for at least two of the past five years (sec 11 of the Rules).

    To receive the exemption, you must prove that you have completed the required courses by emailing a copy of your unofficial transcript to [email protected]. If you are exempted from the course and examination, you may apply for licensing on or before the date provided to you by BCFSA. If you are exempted from the course only, BCFSA will provide you with information about how to proceed with writing the examination. You must provide an original, sealed transcript with your licence application. You must also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement in order to schedule an exam.

    Trading licensing applicants are required to register for either the Residential Trading Services Applied Practice Course or the Commercial Trading Services Applied Practice Course prior to submitting their application.

  • Individuals who have earned and hold a current Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation are eligible for exemption from the Rental Property Management Licensing course. To receive permission to challenge the licensing examination you must provide proof of your RPA designation to BCFSA’s Education Department. Submit your request for exemption with supporting documentation to [email protected]. You must ensure that you also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement in order to schedule an exam.

    When your exemption has been confirmed BCFSA will provide you with permission to challenge the examination along with information on how to obtain study materials and register for the examination.

  • No, the RI designation from the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia does not entitle an individual to a real estate licence. However, BCFSA recognizes the education required to obtain an RI designation. You may be eligible for an education waiver if you have graduated within the last ten (10) years from one of the following:

    • UBC Bachelor of Commerce, Urban Land Economics;
    • BCIT Professional Real Estate diploma program;
    • Diploma in Urban Land Economics program at UBC (DULE); or
    • Holder of a current Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) designation.

    For further information on education exemptions for graduates of these programs, please refer to the questions above.

  • Chartered members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors who hold a current MRICS or FRICS designation are eligible for exemption from the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course. To receive permission to challenge the licensing examination you must provide proof of your RICS designation to BCFSA’s Education Department. Submit your request for exemption with supporting documentation to [email protected]. You must ensure that you also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement in order to schedule an exam.

    When your exemption has been confirmed BCFSA will provide you with permission to challenge the examination along with information on how to obtain study materials and register for the examination.