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Real Estate Sales

Real Estate Sales

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Real estate professionals who help consumers to buy, sell, or lease property in B.C. must be licensed to provide trading services (real estate sales). As a real estate professional licensed for real estate sales, you will be able to:

  • List property for sale or lease;
  • Find properties for your clients;
  • Present offers; and
  • Draft contracts of purchase and sale or offers to lease.

Professionals licensed for real estate sales usually receive a commission for their services. All real estate professionals provide their services through a real estate brokerage and are overseen by a managing broker who has responsibility for the activities of all the licensed professionals at the brokerage.

Step-by-Step Licensing Guide

This step-by-step licensing guide gives you an overview of the education and training required to become licensed in B.C.

Make sure you also read about Real Estate as a Career, which gives you important information about:

  • The real estate industry;
  • BCFSA’s licensing and education requirements; and
  • An outline of anticipated expenses and budget items.

  • The Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course is offered by the UBC Sauder School of Business, Real Estate Division.

    The course is flexible in order to meet the needs of busy adult learners, with just enough structure to ensure high-quality learning. You can register at any time during the year for this self-paced blended learning course. For more course information and to register online, please visit the UBC Sauder School of Business, Real Estate Division’s Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course.

    Students in the licensing course must:

    • Complete all course assignments within one year of registering. The course assignments take a minimum of 10 weeks to complete. On average, most individuals complete the course and exam within six months, based on completing one assignment a week and usually spend 10-12 hours per assignment.
    • Obtain a minimum grade of 70% in order to pass the licensing examination.

    The course covers a variety of real estate, legal, valuation, and trading services topics. For detailed information, you can view the Table of Contents.

    The following student support services are included in the course tuition fee:

    • Tutorial assistance from course specialists, through a toll-free number and email.
    • Online course resources, containing course updates, study materials, schedules, discussion forums, and tutorial information.

    If you feel that you have previous education or experience that would exempt you from either the Licensing course or Examination, please review BCFSA’s Education Exemption Guidelines.

    For more course information and online course registration, please visit the UBC Sauder School of Business, Real Estate Division’s Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course webpage.

  • Begin talking to real estate brokerages to find the brokerage that is the right fit for you and to make arrangements to join the brokerage when you are licensed. Your license application must be approved by the managing broker of a real estate brokerage in B.C. that is prepared to engage you.

  • You must complete a criminal record check within 90 days prior to submitting your licence application to BCFSA. If you obtained your criminal record check via the Triton link on the BCFSA website you will be prompted to indicate that in the requirements step in your submission. If you obtained your criminal record check from your local police or RCMP detachment you must upload a copy of the criminal record check document during the submission process. We do not require the original criminal record check to be forwarded to BCFSA’s office.

    If you have a criminal record or charges to disclose, please also provide a statement explaining the circumstances that gave rise to any convictions or charges as well as copies of sentencing documents. Find more information on the criminal record check requirements.

    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.

  • You may choose to take either the Residential or Commercial version of the Applied Practice course. It is a blended course, consisting of four components delivered online and in the classroom. The Applied Practice course builds on the technical knowledge provided in the Real Estate Licensing course, giving you opportunities to practice the skills you’ll need most as a real estate professional.

    You must complete the required pre-licensing components of the course before your license can be issued. You will have up to six months to complete the final components of the course while working at your brokerage. Visit the course page for full information and to register in the Applied Practice course.

    You must complete all components of the Applied Practice course within the prescribed time limits or your license will be terminated.

  • As soon as you have started your Applied Practice course, you can apply for licensing. Follow the steps below to submit your application:

    1. Sign up or login into IRIS to begin your online application.
    2. After you have logged in to IRIS, select “New Submissions” at the top of the page. Then, select “Application for First Time Licence: Individual” from the available applications. Follow the instructions to complete the online application.
    3. Upload any supporting documentation required. The following documentation is required by all first time applicants:

      - A copy of a piece of valid, government-issued photo identification. Check the photo identification requirements; and
      - A criminal record check current within the 90 days preceding your submission. If you obtained your criminal record check via the Triton link on the BCFSA website you will be prompted to indicate that in the requirements step in your submission. If you obtained your criminal record check from your local police or RCMP detachment you must upload a copy of the criminal record check document. We do not require the original criminal record check to be forwarded to BCFSA’s office.

      You will also need supporting documentation if:

      - You are on a work permit or are a permanent resident; or
      - You need to support your answers to questions in the Reputation and Suitability section of the application.
    4. Have your first time application reviewed and approved by your intended managing broker. Once you have completed the online application, you and your intended managing broker will receive an email prompting the managing broker to approve your application in IRIS.
    Review and Approval

    BCFSA’s licensing staff will review your application. If it is complete and satisfactory, and your applicable Applied Practice course components have been completed, your licence will be issued. You and your managing broker will receive an email notification on the date of issuance advising that you have been licensed.

    BCFSA will only hold applications in pending status for 90 days. If you are notified that your application is incomplete, or that further information is required, please respond promptly to address the deficiencies.

  • Once you have received your license, you must complete all remaining components of the Applied Practice course within six months.

    If you do not complete the entire Applied Practice course, your license will be terminated.

Accommodation Requests

Prospective real estate professionals may apply for an accommodation for this course on the basis of a limitation which results from or is associated with a protected characteristic under section 14 of the B.C. Human Rights Code (Protected Characteristic).

All accommodation requests will be evaluated under BCFSA’s Accommodation Policy. Please keep in mind that the authority and the responsibility to evaluate and make a decision about an accommodation request lie with BCFSA.

BCFSA maintains accommodation-related information in strict confidence and will not use the information for a purpose other than evaluating the accommodation request to which the information relates.

Apply for an Accommodation