6 Steps to become a Real Estate Agent in Ontario, Canada
You are probably curious and doing your research on how to be a Real Estate Agent in Ontario Canada. Congratulations! You are in the right spot. In this article, I’ll share my personal experience, the steps, what to expect and fees that you will encourter should you wish to pursue and become a Real Estate Agent.
Pre-Registration Phase
Enroll >> 5 Courses >> 2 Simulation Sessions >> 6 Exams
Maximum 2 years (24 Months) to complete.
Step 1: You have to enroll and submit your admission requirements
FEE: $75 CAD (Non-Refundable)
The Real Estate Salesperson Program, delivered by Humber College, is your first step towards becoming a real estate professional in Ontario. This is where you are going to do your courses. If you wish and plan to get your Real Estate Broker licence, this is the same place you have to go to get it as well.
Depending on your situation, you must submit the documents to apply for admission to the Real Estate Salesperson Program:
3 things to complete:
- Credential Selection
- Canadian secondary school diploma, GED certificate or acceptable equivalency credential
- Upload the file that you have cited on credentials
- If you have this file as hardcopy, scan a good/clear copy even from your phone and upload the PDF file.
- Agree to Terms & Conditions
- Often this part would not be read (I know, we are all guilty), but in a nutshell, this part, is you basically agreeing and acknowledging that all files that you have submitted is true, that you have understand all the policies and that you agree that you are aware that it will take a good 2 days to review your application and you will be notified via email for the acceptance to the program.
For more information: Real Estate Salesperson Program Admission Requirements
ProTip: Save your Humber Learner ID & Password (Memorize or Auto-Save Password) You will need this pretty much for the rest of your program, even for your exams (virtual exam, most especially)!
Step 2: Complete Course 1 to Course 5 and your Simulation Sessions
TOTAL FEE: $3,590 CAD
**Calculation is for the 5 courses + exams + 2 simulations and does not include fees for retake of exams, remidiation for simulations, virtual support fees, Criminal Check Report, RECO registration, Brokerage Application and Real Estate Board Registration
Once your application is approved, you can now go ahead and register for your 1st course! This courses will be the foundation of your professional career as a Real Estate agent so be sure to pay attention and as much as possible absorb the infomation as it will come in handy once you are licensed agent already! All courses requires a passing grade of 75% for all your exam.
Course 1: Real Estate Essentials
FEES: $525 CAD (course) + $100 CAD (exam)
Total of 7 Module, 4-15 lessons per module (the longest module was the key legislation & regulations and your obligation under REBBA (Real Estate and Business Broker Act). Lots of foundation and fundamentals of Estate.
Exam 1 is consist of 75 multiple choice questions, 2 hours duration.
Course 2: Residential Real Estate Transactions
FEES: $595 CAD (course) + $100 CAD (exam)
The longest course! Total of 20 Modules, 4-10 lessons per module (learners calls this course “The Beast” because of how lengthy this course is! Pay attention to this course as this will give you lots of information about the process and requirements for listings (selling), buying and completing residential real estate transaction. After all, you are here to understand and learn this to provide the highest quality of service to your clients, correct?
If you need more support, Humber offers virtual support for an additional $280 CAD. Exam 2 is consist of 115 multiple choice questions, 3 hours duration.
Course 3: Additional Residential Real Estate Transactions
FEES: $315 CAD (course) + $100 CAD (exam)
As the subject of this course entail, this course is a continuation of course 2 (more into details I’d say). Total of 9 Modules, 5-12 lessons per module. In this course you will have an idea on how the key concept applied in other types of residential transactions including condominum, new construction (Tarion Warranty!), rural properties, multi-dwellings, and residential leasing.
If you need more support, Humber offers virtual support for an additional $120 CAD. Exam 3 is consist of 115 multiple choice questions, 3 hours duration.
Simulation 1: Residential Real Estate Transactions
FEE: $750 CAD
A break from all the studying from the book (or e-learning)! The two (2) simulation sessions are an additional “course” that Humber included to the Real Estate Salesperson Program, which by the way I think was a smart thing to do. Not only learners will have the experience and practice of being a real estate professional, it is being coach by amazing facilitators! (Shout out to my SIM1 facilitator: Bradley Ellis!). Focusing on core activities and tasks related to real estate transactions. It is a five (5) days simulation with an assessment (exam) on the last day. You have the option if you would like to do this during weekdays or weekends:
- Option 1: Weekdays (5 Days)
- Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Sim Session)
- Friday: 9:00am – 2:30pm (Sim Session)
- Friday: 3:00pm – 6:00pm (Assessment/Exam)
- Option 2: Weekends (3 Saturdays & 2 Sundays)
- 1st and 2nd Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Sim Session)
- 3rd Saturday: 9:00am – 2:30pm (Sim Session)
- 3rd Saturday: 3:00pm – 6:00pm (Assessment/Exam)
I was doing a fulltime job and chose to do the weekdays schedule. I had to make it work as I don’t want to extend it for that long, but again, everyone has different situation in life, choose the one that suits you and makes you comfortable.
SIM1 Assessment/Exam is consist of 50 multiple choice questions (all scenario), 3 hours duration. You need to get a minimum passing score of 75%.
Remediation Day (Fee: $50 CAD) : If you are unsuccessful to pass the simulation assessment/exam, you are required to participate in a Remediation Day. Schedule: 9:00am – 2:30pm (Sim Session) & 3:00pm – 6:00pm (Assessment/Exam).
Course 4: Commercial Real Estate Transactions
FEES: $315 CAD (course) + $100 CAD (exam)
You are almost there! Don’t kill the momentum! Total of 15 Modules, 5-15 lessons per module. In this course, the focus is with the different types of commercial transactions. How each transaction is unique from one another. The variety of topic circle around: office, retail, industrial and agricultural properties and how to prepare contractual agreements (as well as sale and purchase of businesses).
If you need more support, Humber offers virtual support for an additional $160 CAD. Exam 4 is consist of 115 multiple choice questions, 3 hours duration.
Simulation 2: Commercial Real Estate Transactions
FEE: $600 CAD
The final stretch! Same experience with your SIM1 you would have an amazing support and facilitator (Shout out to my SIM2 facilitator: Surina Hart!) that will allow you to gain knowledge and practice the key aspects of commercial real estate transactions. It is a four (4) days simulation with an assessment (exam) on the last day. You have the option if you would like to do this during weekdays or weekends:
- Option 1: Weekdays (4 Days)
- Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Sim Session)
- Thursday: 9:00am – 1:00pm (Sim Session)
- Thursday: 3:00pm – 6:00pm (Assessment/Exam)
- Option 2: Weekends (2 Saturdays & 2 Sundays)
- 1st & 2nd Saturday & 1st Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Sim Session)
- 2nd Sunday: 9:00am – 1:00pm (Sim Session)
- 2nd Sunday: 2:00pm – 5:00pm (Assessment/Exam)
Again, choose the one that suits you and makes you comfortable.
SIM2 Assessment/Exam is consist of 46 multiple choice questions (all scenario), 3 hours duration. You need to get a minimum passing score of 75%.
Remediation Day (Fee: $50 CAD) : If you are unsuccessful to pass the simulation assessment/exam, you are required to participate in a Remediation Day. Schedule: 9:00am – 12:30pm (Sim Session) & 2:00pm – 5:00pm (Assessment/Exam).
Course 5: Getting Started
FEE: $90 CAD
You made it! Congratulations! By this time, you probably have a brokerage in mind that you want to join. (If not, you can reach out to me! Maybe I can be of any assistance to you!) Unfortunately, you can’t skip this course. Don’t worry, this is still beneficial for you! Total of 2 Modules, 5 lessons per module. In this module, they will teach you how to obtain and maintain your registration and insurance (RECO) and your key strategy in finding the right fit brokerage for you. Questions and requirements that you might want to ask when you are interviewing brokerages. A lot of brokerages will be delighted to take & hire you! Simply because you are amazing! Remember that!
P.S. This course does not have exam! (Yeay!) Finish it and do the next step!
Step 3: Get your Criminal Record Check
Fee: $55 CAD + HST (TOTAL: $62.15 CAD)
RECO will provide 2 links where you can get your criminal record check on their website, as for me, I chose to get it through Commissionaires and to apply online. In less than 1 hour, give or take, I was able to get a copy of my criminal record check. Consider Commissionaires when you need to get yours! I had a good experience with them.
Step 4: Register an account on RECO MyWeb
Fee: $590 CAD (Does not include the insurance yet, depending on when you will register and apply, dates will be prorated)
Sign up and create your account with RECO MyWeb. Every update and your RECO licence certificate will be in here. This is the portal that you pretty much need an access to pay, to get notification regarding your RECO licence.
ProTip: Just like your Humber Learner ID, memorize or Auto-saved password or write it on a piece of paper or you phone notes! It will come in handy to remember your login for this one!
Step 5: Send application to your Brokerage
Fee: Might vary from the Brokerage you are applying
Speak to the Broker of Record/Manager or Team Leader of the brokerage that you want to be part of. Every brokerage is different and will offer different benefits for you. They will help you with the process of your application and will coordinate with RECO to verify your application with the Brokerage and each office/brokerage fees might vary.
Step 6: Choose your Real Estate Board
Fee: Varies from the R/E Board you are applying (range: $1,600-$1,900 CAD)
It is ideal to have your application for your Real Estate Board of your choice to be the same time as when you send your application for your RECO and your Brokerage as this will be asked, and so might as well, you will eventually do it anyway. All R/E Boards will give you perks, be sure to check each one of them and choose wisely!
Once all your registration is completed, Congratulations! You are now officially Licensed Real Estate Agent in Ontario Canada! But wait, there is more!…
This is not the end of your studying and learning. There is a reason why I have added in the begining of this article the “Pre-Registration Phase” because there is “Post-Registration Phase” that you need to take! Not to rush, but make sure to remind yourself to take your compliance and 2 elective courses of your choice.
Lastly, everyday when you are in the field, talking to potential clients and servicing your community, you will gain knowledge, experience and sense of why you are doing what you are doing. So cherish those moments and do not be afraid to ask and make mistakes, learn from them!
Did you find these steps listed in this article helpful? Are you currently taking Real Estate courses? What is your experience so far? Comment down below!
If you find this article helpful, share it with your friends and someone you know that will find this article beneficial for them as well!
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