You may be wondering if becoming a real estate agent is something you can do. The answer is yes. You don’t have to be in the business for many years or have experience in the field before you can become a real estate agent. All it takes is an interest in helping others and being willing to learn about the industry. With that said, let’s explore how to become a realtor in Alberta and start the journey.
What is a Real Estate Agent?
A real estate agent is a person who sells or leases real property. They may also be called an agent, brokers, sales associates or seller agents, but they are all the same thing: they help people buy or sell homes.
A real estate agent’s job can be very fulfilling and rewarding if you have the right personality traits. It would be best to have patience and persistence because finding clients that fit your style of selling homes in your area of expertise would take time. In addition, you must have good communication skills as well as negotiation skills when dealing with buyers & sellers alike since there are many moving parts involved in every transaction!
How to Become a Realtor in Alberta?
If you want to become a real estate agent in Alberta, several things must be taken care of. For starters, the person who is applying for this license must have at least 10 years of experience as an agent. This amount of experience will allow them to pass the real estate exam and become a member of the Real Estate Board of Alberta (REB). The next step is getting your license by taking courses on becoming a realtor.
Once all parties involved with licensing requirements have completed this process successfully, it’s time for them to start working on getting clients!
Minimum Eligibility to Become a Realtor
To become a real estate agent in Alberta, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- You must be 18 years old
- You must have a valid driver’s license (if you don’t own your own car, however, it’s recommended that you get one)
- You must have a high school diploma or equivalent (or proof of equivalent education)
- You must be proficient in English
Create myRECA Account
myRECA is a portal for Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) functions such as education and licensing in Alberta. During this procedure, you will become eligible, complete courses, request services, and maintain your license through myRECA.
- Create a username and password
- Supply the email RECA will use to contact you
- Accept the myRECA because it gives RECA consent to contact you or otherwise use your personal information for regulatory purposes
When you finish configuring your myRECA account, the system will prompt you to register for the first time. Wait to start this stage until you’re ready to start your application and education eligibility process. This step entails completing one of three possible eligibility-related applications and payment. Before logging in for the first time, review these steps and make sure you’re set.
- Application for Labor Mobility
- Application for Suitability Review
- Eligibility for Education
Application for Labor Mobility
Individuals licensed or eligible to be relicensed in another jurisdiction with no additional requirements are qualified to have their licensing recognised under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement’s labor mobility provisions. Applicants are not needed to be Alberta residents.
Only licensees from specific jurisdictions are qualified for Alberta labor mobility. Check the information in the drop down below to see your qualifications.
When you first log in to myRECA, the system will inquire if you are coming from another jurisdiction. Respond positively and proceed with the procedures. A Labour Mobility Application costs $350. In addition, you will be asked to submit supporting documents with your application. You’ve got six months to finish your application.
The document required for the application is,
- Photograph for your profile
- Identification issued by Canada:
- Birth certificate
- Permanent resident card
- Citizenship card
- Front and rear valid work permit (Note: if your work permit expires within 30 days of your submission, you must also provide proof of your application for renewal)
You must provide proof that you fulfilled the English proficiency standards in your current jurisdiction if your license has terms, conditions, or restrictions. If you were not required to show proof of English proficiency in your previous jurisdiction, you must achieve Alberta’s English proficiency standard of English 30 or higher.
Application for Suitability Review
During the licensing procedure, you will be asked several questions about your suitability, including past criminal proceedings, regulatory proceedings, civil proceedings, and bankruptcies. If this is a problem for you, it is best to address it now through a Suitability Review before moving forward.
Suitability problems can include situations in which you:
- Have been disciplined by a professional association, a professional or occupational body, or any other regulatory entity
- Have withdrawn, gotten a lifelong ban, or had any license, registration, or authorisation suspended, cancelled, or revoked by any regulatory authority
- Have been fined, sanctioned, or disciplined by any professional, occupational, trade association, or regulatory authority
- Are under investigation or review by any professional, occupational, trade association, or regulatory agency
- Have been or are the topic of a judgment or order relating to misrepresentation, theft, fraud, breach of confidence, or providing goods or services
- Is the defendant in any ongoing civil proceedings in which the statement of claim claims misrepresentation, theft, fraud, or breach of trust or in which the civil proceeding relates to the provision of goods or services
- Have been or are in the process of declaring bankruptcy, insolvency, or administration
- Have been or are the target of a criminal investigation or proceedings
- Have been accused of a crime
- Have taken part in the Alternative Measures Program
- Have been found guilty or convicted of any crime under any jurisdiction’s legislation (excluding provincial or municipal highway offences)
When you first log into myRECA, the system will question you if there is anything in your past that you believe may prevent you from becoming licensed. If you respond positively, proceed with the system procedures.
A Suitability Review Application costs $350. With your application, you will be requested to send supporting documents. RECA requires different supporting documents based on which suitability question you respond positively.
If RECA evaluates your suitability and decides that your circumstances do not preclude you from obtaining a license, you may proceed to step 3c and begin an Education Eligibility Application.
Eligibility for Education
Before enrolling in RECA pre-licensing courses, you must demonstrate that you satisfy the requirements for eligibility.
When you log into myRECA and respond no to the Labour Mobility and Suitability Review sections, an Education Eligibility Application will be initiated. Answer truthfully because you will be required to provide proof.
An Education Eligibility Application costs $350. This is a non-refundable charge.
The system will request that you submit documents proving your eligibility. See the dropdown items below for a full collection of proof that RECA accepts for eligibility. Then, upload the necessary documents to your myRECA account application. Following the processing of eligibility papers, all documents are destroyed in accordance with privacy policies.
The documents required for the process are
Source Document for proof of identity:
For those who were born in Canada
- Birth certificate
For those who were born outside of Canada
- Duplicate of your Canadian Citizenship Card
- Certificate a copy of your valid Permanent Resident card
- Copy of your Work Permit
Support Documents:
RECA accepts
- Canadian passports
- Provincial identity card
- Driver’s license
- Card of Treaty Status
Proof of Education:
The evidence of Canadian Education (one of the following)
- A high school graduation record with a diploma was issued.
- Transcript of General Education Development Tests (GED) if you did not finish your Canadian high school education or if your transcript is unavailable.
- Certificate from a Canadian university or college after secondary school
The proof of Non-Canadian Education:
Assessed non-Canadian school transcript:
- An Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada member must assess your transcript. (ACESC)
- Please address any concerns about the education assessment to the ACESC member you are working with. (RECA is not affiliated with any of these organisations and cannot answer any questions or make any decisions on their behalf)
This evaluation must demonstrate that your education is comparable to the following:
- A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma
- Graduation from a Canadian post-secondary diploma or degree program that included at least two years of in-classroom instruction (excluding co-op or practicum practice outside of the classroom as part of the two years)
Complete Pre-licensing Education
To become licensed as a real estate professional, individuals will need to complete the required education through a third-party recognised course provider. If you want to become licensed, you will first need to complete the eligibility process and then determine if a RECA or third-party course provider is available.
There may be numerous third-party course provider options available for some courses, in which case learners are encouraged to select a course provider that is well-matched to their learning needs.
Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC)
After completing your pre-licensing classes, the next step is to obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check(CCRC).
There are two kinds of criminal record checks; the one you want is the one that includes fingerprinting. However, it takes a little longer because everything has to be sent to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ottawa before you get the findings.
RECA will now receive your results in two to three weeks, and you can have them sent straight to RECA. So you don’t get the results right away, but RECA does, which is a faster procedure.
And, if you have a certified criminal record check within the last six months, you can still file your application using the same CCRC Account; you do not need to redo it. However, remember that the criminal background check must be no older than 6 months.
Join a Brokerage
After completing your education and receiving approval from RECA, you become eligible for licensing. Your status will show in the Licensing tab of your myRECA account. You must then contact a licensed brokerage in Alberta and come to an agreement for them to hire you. Your next step is completing employment contracts with the brokerage, membership applications for your trade association (if your brokerage is a member), and your licensing application.
Complete a Licensing Application
Once you’ve found a brokerage that you’d like to work for and they’ve agreed to hire you, your new broker will start the licensing procedure.
They will request your myRECA login in order to do so. Then, based on your username, they will initiate registration through their brokerage myRECA account. Once started, you can finish your application from your myRECA account.
Once you have completed and returned your application to the broker, they will evaluate it. If they approve it, either they or you will be responsible for paying your licensing fees. You are licensed, registered, and ready to operate once you or they have paid your fees.
Please remember that membership in any real estate groups or boards, which may be needed if your brokerage is a member, is not included in these costs. The original costs of joining a board vary but can reach $3,000, with ongoing annual costs reaching $1,800.
To find out how much it will cost, contact the particular organisations. Some brokerages may also charge new employees a start-up fee, which you should inquire about during your brokerage interview.
Check your permit status in your myRECA account’s licence tab. It should state that you are authorised and list the areas your license covers.
Conclusion
Overall, becoming a real estate agent in Alberta is a simple process. It involves completing many steps and having a good amount of patience while the process is ongoing. However, it may take quite some time before you become an active real estate agent in Alberta due to the number of demands placed on you by licensing issues and practical training.
FAQ – How to Become a Realtor in Alberta?
What is the average realtor salary in Alberta?
The realtor salary in Alberta is lower than you might think. The median yearly salary for agents in Alberta is $47,398, ranging from $31,668 to $130,309 on the lower end.
How hard is the real estate exam in Alberta?
The Alberta Real Estate Exam can be a tricky one to get through, especially if you are going for a higher-level qualification. It is common for candidates to see between 90 and 140 questions on the exam, so you will need to be prepared for multiple-choice questions requiring you to make quick decisions.
What realtors make the most money?
The answer is real estate broker.
Under the law, real estate brokers are permitted to negotiate and organise real estate dealings, including selling, buying, leasing, and managing properties. As a result, they are in charge of every facet of the transaction.
A career as a real estate broker is one of the highest-paying and most lucrative professions in the real estate industry. On average, experienced brokers take home a six-figure pay package.
How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Alberta?
Well, you can get started right now with a couple of courses that are easily accessible through Alberta’s leading learning management system, Absorb. Start your real estate job today by enrolling in the AREA Fundamentals of Real Estate study for $800 and each Area of Practice course for $400.
These courses will help you learn the skills needed to enter the industry, including:
- How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Alberta?
- What does a real estate agent do?
- What is the minimum salary for a real estate agent?
