How to Get Careers in Real Estate in Alberta?

Obtaining careers in real estate is a simple process for those who take the time to complete each step. Becoming a real estate agent is a highly rewarding and in-demand career. One of the biggest questions that we receive about becoming an agent, is what the process is like to get your real estate license. It can be hard to find the correct information about starting your journey as a REALTOR®. However, that’s why we wanted to write this article about how you can obtain your real estate license in Alberta. In this post, we cover the most up-to-date information about the initial process of becoming a real estate agent. Follow along below to learn more about this topic!

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Requirements for Careers in Real Estate

The first step to becoming an agent is to meet the minimum requirements for eligibility. It’s important to get approved by the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) before you enroll. In fact, at RECA, they’ll check your eligibility requirements to ensure that you are able to enroll. In order for a person to qualify by RECA’s standards, you must:

1. Be 18 years of age or older
2. Be able to study or work in Canada lawfully
3. Be able to provide specific government-issued identification
4. Have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
5. Must be proficient in English

Next, you’ll need to set up a myRECA account. This account allows you to access the myRECA educational platform that allows you to take real estate exams in Alberta. Accounts are free and it only takes a few minutes to create. 

Once you’ve created your account, navigate to the “Education Eligibility Application”. This is how you’ll submit your application to RECA.

Requirements for education and English ability are different for those who received a Canadian education Vs. an international education. If you meet the requirements for education, then you’ll be required to take an English language proficiency test. Again, the language proficiency test differs depending on whether you received a Canadian or international education. 

After you’ve been approved for the education and English language requirements determined by RECA, you’ll need to partake in a brief information session. These sessions are usually done in video format and are provided by RECA. Typically, the video is around 10 minutes in length and covers all of your options as a future real estate agent. This video should serve as a guide for the type of real estate licensing you’d like to obtain.

Step 2: Start your Pre-Licensing Education

Once approved by RECA, you need to complete the pre-licensing education. Your pre-licensing education is critical in obtaining your real estate license. In order to get your license and apply for pre-licensing, you must take a minimum of two courses with RECA. 

As part of your two-course minimum, you must complete the Fundamentals of Real Estate class. This is a mandatory, online course that all applicants must take. Within this course, you will learn foundational skills and knowledge to ensure that you can practice real estate in Alberta. The curriculum is laid out into 10 different units with activities and quizzes to track your progress. This class is conducted online and costs $1250. You can register for this course via the RECA website. Furthermore, the course fee includes access to online course materials like the e-textbook and course manuals. 

Exams can be taken at any authorized exam centres. You can book your exam and check where the nearest exam centre is to you via your myRECA account. 

Besides the mandatory course mentioned above, you will also need to take a specialty course of your choice. This course will determine what area of real estate you’d like to focus on. Some of the options include:

1. Residential real estate
2. Commercial real estate
3. Rural real estate
4. Property management 

You must take one of these courses to get your real estate license. However, you are more than welcome to take additional specialty courses. Most individuals begin with a specialty in residential real estate and then take further courses later on when they want to expand their area of expertise. Moreover, each course costs $800.

These courses are not to be completed at your own pace! You must finish your minimum two courses within 1 year of being enrolled in them!

Contact us Today About Careers in Real Estate!

If you are looking for careers in real estate, contact us today! RE/MAX Alpine Realty is happy to help you get started in a career in real estate. For more information about the process of becoming an agent, check back on our blog next month for part two of obtaining your real estate license. Additional information about becoming an agent can be found here. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media for more exciting content! And don’t forget to meet the team!