Education & Careers

Steps to Entry

Classroom

10 Steps to Becoming a Real Estate Associate

To become licensed as a real estate associate in Alberta for the first time candidates must meet the following requirements:
  • Achieved a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Successfully completed licensing education: the Real Estate Agent’s Program (REAP)
  • Successfully completed the provincial qualifying exam
  • Sponsorship of a licensed real estate brokerage and eligible member of the Calgary Real Estate Board® (CREB)
  • Clear & certified criminal record check

For Availability & Registration forms click here: Real Estate Agent’s Program (REAP)

Candidates who are currently licensed in other jurisdictions or who were previously licensed should contact RECA and/or a sponsoring brokerage to obtain the necessary information for exemptions, if any, and requirements for licensing.

Otherwise the following steps will assist a candidate to achieve licensing:

1) Register & Complete REAP- Phase 1:

  • Pay course fee & complete CREB® Phase 1 Registration Form (168KB PDF). There are no prerequisites required at this stage and candidates with previous industry licensing, knowledge, training or work experience, could be exempt from this portion of the REAP course as decided by the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA). Contact AREA at education@abrea.ab.ca or by fax: 403-228-4360 to make a formal written request if this applies.
  • Attend REAP-Phase 1 course and write exam.

2) Prepare Prerequisites & Other Requirements:

  • Forward a copy of government issued photo ID to AREA by fax: (403) 229-4179
  • Also forward AREA Registration Form to AREA by fax: (403) 229-4179 (516KB PDF).
  • Arrange to have grade 12 education transcripts (95KB PDF) forwarded directly from the institution or provincial department of education to AREA addressed as follows:

            The Registrar of Licensing Education
            ALBERTA REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
            WestMount Corporate Campus
            Suite 300, 4954 Richard Road SW
            Calgary AB. T3E 6L1

DO NOT DELAY: as processing documents can often take an unexpected period of time to accomplish & all required forms must be received before continuing to Step 3. If there are any complications expected, this step could be completed prior to Step 1

3) Register & Complete REAP-Phase 2:

  • Confirm (403-218-3684) that all forms & documents listed in Step 2 have been received at the AREA office
  • Successful completion of Phase 1 and a minimum 70% exam grade
  • Pay course fee & complete CREB® Phase 2 – module 1-6 Registration Form (168KB PDF)
  • Attend REAP-Phase 2 course and write exam

4) Register & Complete first module of REAP-Phase 3:

  • Successful completion of Phase 2 and a minimum 70% exam grade
  • Pay course fee & complete CREB® Phase 3- module 7 Registration Form (167KB PDF)
  • Attend first module of REAP-Phase 3 course and write exam

5) Register & Complete second module of REAP-Phase 3:

6) Register & Complete third module of REAP-Phase 3:

7) Register & Complete CREB® Orientation Course: (mandatory prior to licensing to avoid penalties)

  • Successful completion of modules 8-9 of REAP-Phase 3 with a minimum 70% exam grade
  • Obtain brokerage sponsorship
  • Pay non-refundable membership deposit & complete CREB® Orientation Registration Form (254KB PDF)
  • Attend CREB® Orientation Course and write exam

8) Getting Licensed:

  • Send Certified Criminal Record Check results to RECA directly
  • Request licensing application & registration with RECA through brokerage
  • Payment of Brokerage (if applicable) & RECA Fees

9) CREB® Membership:

  • Successful completion of CREB® Orientation Course and a minimum 70% exam grade
  • Complete CREB® membership forms in person at the CREB® within one year of CREB® Orientation Course
  • Pay CREB® membership fees (58KB PDF) less CREB® Orientation deposit

10) REAP SUCCESS

  • Access MLS/CLS within hours of obtaining CREB® membership
  • Confirm registration and licensing with RECA
  • Utilize marketing strategies to locate clients
  • List/sell houses
  • Ensure all education requirements are up-to-date for re-licensing by September 30th
  • Continue to learn & grow attend through professional development courses at the CREB®