Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage
In order to obtain a real estate licence in BC, you must be licensed by the Real Estate Council of BC and be engaged by a real estate brokerage. When choosing a real estate brokerage, you may want to consider brokerages in the geographical area in which you intend to conduct your business. Talk to the managing broker at several real estate brokerages to find one with a fee structure and corporate environment that best suits you. All brokerages have their own ways of operating, so you should ask each of them what makes them different from the others. A phone call or email to brokerages might be a good first step in approaching them. When you apply to the Real Estate Council for licensing, you must provide the name of the brokerage with whom you intend to work and the brokerage will retain your licence. You may change brokerages at any time once you are licensed, but the Council will need to be informed in order that your licence can be amended. Remember, you cannot conduct any business unless you are engaged by a brokerage and any business that you do conduct must be done in the name of and on behalf of the brokerage with which you are engaged.
Additional Licensing Courses
Once licensed, an individual’s licence level and/or category may be upgraded with further education. A number of choices exist for licence upgrades. Most individuals selling real estate or managing property in British Columbia are representatives licensed to provide trading services or rental or strata property management services, however, they may choose to become an associate broker or managing broker. Should a licensee wish to upgrade to become an associate broker, they must successfully complete the Broker’s Licensing Course at the UBC Real Estate Division. To be eligible for enrolment in the course, they must have been licensed as a representative for six months. Before the licence will be upgraded, individuals must have been licensed as a representative for a minimum of two years during the preceding five (5) years prior to changing their status.
The Residential Trading Services Applied Practice Course is administered by BCREA on behalf of the Real Estate Council of British Columbia. The course is compulsory for all new licensees and forms part of the total real estate licensing process.
In accordance with regulations established by the RECBC, you must register for the Residential Trading Services Applied Practice Course prior to licence issuance. You must provide proof of registration in the course as a requirement of licensing. Failure to complete the course within six months of the date of the licence may result in the termination of your real estate licence.
BCREA recommends that you register for the Residential Trading Services Applied Practice Course immediately upon receipt of your licensing examination results. Applications must be made in writing or online and will not be accepted by telephone. Upon receipt of your completed application form and tuition fee, BCREA will place you in the FIRST AVAILABLE COURSE.