What is required to obtain your real estate license in Ontario

This page will outline the specific course requirements for you to obtain your real estate license in the province of Ontario.

RECO made changes to the education program and now it’s called “Pre-Registration Learning Path” (As of Feb. 2022)

The education program is split into five courses:

• Real Estate Essentials – this looks at the role of a salesperson and important legal requirements based on the various codes and rules governing real estate in Ontario.
• Real Estate Transactions – this course looks at the processes involved in listing, buying and selling residential real estate and also begins looking at marketing strategies and real estate contracts.
• Additional Real Estate Transactions – following on from the previous course, this focuses on leasing and additional property types such as condos, new homes and rural properties.
• Commercial Real Estate Transactions – this course looks at the processes involved in buying, selling and listing commercial properties, and the brokering the sale of a business.
•  Getting Started – this course gives an overview on how to get started with a career in real estate.

A successful career in real estate doesn’t just happen and rarely comes easily. Real estate sales are extremely demanding and a personal commitment to excellence is essential.

Start your journey towards becoming a real estate salesperson.

The Pre-Registration Phase is your first step towards becoming a real estate salesperson in Ontario. You must complete this first phase of the Real Estate Salesperson Program before applying for registration with RECO. This phase comprises of 5 courses, 4 exams and 2 simulation sessions which must be completed sequentially as shown below. You will have a maximum of 24 months to complete pre-registration.

OREA College
Humber College
Post-Registration Phase (3 courses)

Real Property Law
Course 1: Real Estate Essentials
Exam 1: Invigilated Exam

The Residential Real Estate Transaction
Course 2: Residential Real Estate Transactions
Exam 2: Invigilated Exam

The Commercial Real Estate Transaction
Course 4: Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Exam 4: Invigilated Exam

1. Real Estate Essentials
2. Residential Real Estate Transactions
3. Additional Residential Real Estate Transactions
Simulation Session #1:
Residential Real Estate Transactions

(35.5 hours)
4. Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Simulation Session #2:
Commercial Real Estate Transactions

(28 hours)

5. Getting Started
*It is important to note that prior to registering in any given Course, Exam, or Simulation Session, learners must successfully complete the corresponding pre-requisite. For example, prior to registering in Exam 1, a learner must successfully complete Course 1. Similarly, prior to registering in Course 2, a learner must successfully pass Exam 1; and so on.

Course Electives (Select any 2 of the 5 following electives)
Working in Real Estate: Rural, Recreational, Waterfront Properties – eLearning
Working in Real Estate: Ownership Alternatives and Complexities – eLearning
Real Estate as an Investment Strategy: Residential Properties – eLearning
Real Estate as an Investment Strategy: Commercial Properties – Fundamentals – eLearning
Real Estate as an Investment Strategy: Commercial Properties – Advanced – eLearning

Those people, like you, who enter the profession will travel a challenging road.  Be prepared to invest time and money in a life-long learning exercise.

Completing required courses is just the beginning of a journey with your courses to obtain your real estate license in Ontario that requires continuing education to maintain your edge and professional credentials. Every two years you will be required to take another 24 hours of courses to ensure you are current and active with the real estate industry.

The market is dynamic, legislation is constantly changing, and new technologies are continuously emerging.  It’s no wonder that knowledge is power in the real estate marketplace.

Personal sacrifices are also a reality. In the heat of negotiations, most buyers and sellers have little regard for the time of day.  You have to be prepared to work long hours, encounter high stress levels, and you will possibly have a reduced social life for the first 5 years you are in the business.  It’s also true that a career in real estate is anything but routine and you are called to action at all times and hours of the day.

Still, successful people in the profession are the first to say it’s a matter of perspective and balance. Trade-offs must be made, but the personal freedom, a satisfying career, and the long-term benefits are well worth the effort.

High-tech Pays Off – In my experience, today’s leading salespeople tend to rely on integrated databases, hand-held smartphones and personal computers, global positioning systems and virtual house tours that can be e-mailed on the spot to clients.  You will have to determine what works the best for you and use it to help your clients and enhance your career!

The main educator for the real estate program in Ontario is Humber College. Real estate is a very challenging and rewarding career. You can pursue education toward that goal with the current education provider, Humber College.

For information about the entire process of becoming a salesperson or broker, please continue reading and find more details at the The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) website.

Real Estate Market Watch Newsletter

Why Subscribe?  You will receive valuable Real Estate information on a monthly basis – such as: where to find the ‘best’ mortgage interest rates, Power of Sale properties and graphs of current house price trends.  Plus, you will acquire ideas, suggestions and excellent real estate advice when you sell or buy your next home. Read Past Newsletters before you decide  Privacy-Policy