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Real Estate Licensing Guide for International Candidates
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Eligibility to Work in Canada
To apply for licensing as a B.C. real estate professional, you must be eligible to work in Canada:
- Are you a Canadian citizen?
- Are you a Permanent Resident?
- Do you have a valid work permit/visa that does not have restrictions that would preclude you from engaging in real estate?
- Do you have real estate experience or training outside of Canada?
Qualification Requirements for International Candidates
BCFSA provides a fair, timely, and transparent international credential assessment process to allow internationally trained applicants to become licensed in B.C. as a representative, associate broker, or managing broker as part of its obligations under the International Credentials Recognition Act of B.C.
The step-by-step licensing guide below outlines BCFSA’s international credential assessment process.
To become licensed in B.C., individuals must satisfy the qualification requirements in Section 10 of the Real Estate Services Act (“RESA”), including the suitability and education requirements set out in Division 3 – Qualification Requirements of the Real Estate Services Rules (Sections 7 – 11) that include, but are not limited to:
- An English Language Proficiency Requirement;
- Licensing course and examination; and
- Where applicable, an Applied Practice Course.
The specific requirements are set out in BCFSA’s Regulatory Statement: RESA 24-003 Educational Requirements for a New Licence or Licence Renewal.
Individuals coming from an international jurisdiction with a formal licensing regime for the provision of real estate services, or those that have recent experience or training in the provision of real estate services outside of Canada, may be eligible to expedite their path towards becoming licensed in B.C. Under the Real Estate Services Rules, the Superintendent of Real Estate may waive the qualification requirements for a licensing course and/or licensing examination. Available waivers for international applicants are set out in BCFSA’s Regulatory Statement: RESA 24-010 International Credentials Recognition.
Before you begin the licensing process, make sure you read about Starting a Career in Real Estate, which gives you important information about:
- The real estate industry in B.C.;
- BCFSA’s licensing and education requirements; and
- An outline of anticipated expenses and budget items.
Step-by-Step Licensing Guide for International Candidates
This step-by-step licensing guide for international candidates gives you an overview of the process to become licensed in B.C.
To have your international credentials assessed, submit the following information in writing to BCFSA.
- A full description of your experience in real estate (trading services, rental property management, and/or strata management).
- Supporting documentation to verify your real estate experience, such as:
- Official transcripts, degrees or diplomas;
- A resume;
- Letters of reference;
- Licensing history including disciplinary action (if applicable); and
- Any other relevant information.
BCFSA will review your credentials after receiving all required documentation. It usually takes BCFSA 10-15 days to review your documentation.
After reviewing your credentials, BCFSA will supply you (within 14 business days) with a written notice of credential assessment determination that will include instructions on how to proceed with qualifying for licensing based on your international credentials:
- Inequivalent credentials: If after assessing your documentation, BCFSA determines you do not have equivalent prior experience or qualifications providing real estate services, you need to satisfy the education requirements for new licensees set out in Regulatory Statement RESA 24-003 before applying for a licence, which means you will need to register for and complete the licensing course and exam and Applied Practice course (if applicable). If you are seeking a managing broker’s licence, and you do not have equivalent credentials, you will need to satisfy the experience requirements set out in Section 11 of the Real Estate Services Rules. You can find more information about the process on the Becoming Licensed webpage, including step-by-step licensing guides.
- Equivalent credentials: If after assessing your documentation, BCFSA determines you have equivalent experience or qualifications providing real estate services, you will receive an assessment determination. You may be considered eligible for licensing or be required to complete a licensing examination. In either case, BCFSA will provide you with a guide outlining the steps and related costs that include:
- Purchasing exam study materials;
- Scheduling a licensing course examination;
- Registering for and completing pre-licensing components of the Applied Practice Course (if applicable); and
- Applying for licensing.
Individuals who have the licensing education requirements waived are given a maximum of one year to prepare for and write the licensing examination. Subject to exam date availability, candidates may be able to schedule an exam in as little as one month after the notice of credential assessment determination is received. Upon successful completion of the examination, candidates have up to one year to apply for their licence.
The remaining steps and the guide provided with your determination detail the rest of the licensing process if you have received an education waiver. If you have any questions about the information provided, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
Individuals seeking licensure in B.C. must complete a licensing course and examination. If you have received an education waiver based on your experience or international credentials, please refer to your assessment determination to understand what education requirements still need to be met to qualify for licensing.
Individuals that do not have equivalent credentials will need to complete the required licensing course. Before registering in a licensing course, it is recommended that you review the licensing eligibility requirements, which are as follows:
- Be at least 19 years of age;
- Satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement; and
- Be of “good reputation” – see BCFSA’s Good Reputation, Suitability, and Fitness guidelines.
In order to satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement, you must:
- Obtain a level 7 or higher on each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) of the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General (CELPIP-G);
- Have a conferred bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited university, college, or technical institute where English is the primary language of instruction; or
- Have been licensed to engage in real estate services in another Canadian jurisdiction with an English language proficiency requirement after satisfying that jurisdiction’s requirement for English language proficiency.
Once you have satisfied these requirements, you may register for a licensing course and/or licensing exam through the University of British Columbia (“UBC”). Review UBC’s course list for more information.
If you are planning on becoming licensed in trading services, you will need to complete either the Residential or Commercial Trading Services Applied Practice Course after passing the licensing exam. You must complete the required pre-licensing components of the course before your licence can be issued.
While you are fulfilling your education requirements, BCFSA encourages you to begin talking to real estate brokerages to find the brokerage that is the right fit for you and to make arrangements to join the brokerage when you are licensed. Your licence application must be approved by the managing broker of a real estate brokerage in B.C. that is prepared to engage you. You cannot work as a real estate licensee in B.C. on your own; you must be licensed in relation to a single B.C. brokerage. Consider choosing a brokerage in a neighbourhood close to where you plan on living in the province.
You must complete a criminal record check within 90 days of submitting your licence application to BCFSA. If you obtained your criminal record check via the Triton link on BCFSA’s website, you will be prompted to indicate that in the requirements step in your submission. If you obtained your criminal record check from a local B.C. police or RCMP detachment, you must upload a copy of the criminal record check document during the submission process. We do not require the original criminal record check to be forwarded to BCFSA’s office.
If you have a criminal record or charges to disclose, please also provide a statement explaining the circumstances that gave rise to any convictions or charges as well as copies of sentencing documents. Find more information on the criminal record check requirements.
If you have concerns about your eligibility for licensing, review BCFSA’s Good Reputation, Suitability and Fitness Guidelines. If you still have questions, you may wish to seek legal advice.
Once you have completed the above steps (and started your Applied Practice Course if you are applying for a trading services licence), you may apply for licensing. Follow the steps below to submit your application:
1. Sign up or login into IRIS to begin your online application.
2. After you have logged in to IRIS, select “New Submissions” at the top of the page. Then, select “Application for First Time Licence: Individual” from the available applications. Follow the instructions to complete the online application.
3.Upload any supporting documentation required. The following documentation is required by all first-time applicants:
- A copy of a valid, government-issued photo identification. Check the photo identification requirements; and
- A criminal record check current within the 90 days preceding your submission. If you obtained your criminal record check via the Triton link on the BCFSA’s website, you will be prompted to indicate that in the requirements step in your submission. If you obtained your criminal record check from a local B.C. police or RCMP detachment you must upload a copy of the criminal record check document. We do not require the original criminal record check to be forwarded to BCFSA’s office.
You will also need supporting documentation if:
- You are on a work permit or are a permanent resident; or
- You need to support your answers to questions in the Reputation and Suitability section of the application.
4. Have your first-time application reviewed and approved by your intended managing broker. Once you have completed the online application, you and your intended managing broker will receive an email prompting the managing broker to approve your application in IRIS.
Review and Approval
BCFSA’s Licensing Team will review your application. If it is complete and satisfactory, and your Applied Practice Course components have been completed (if applicable), your licence will be issued. You and your managing broker will receive an email notification on the date of issuance advising that you have been licensed.
BCFSA will only hold applications in pending status for 90 days. If you are notified that your application is incomplete, or that further information is required, please respond promptly to address the deficiencies.
If you are pursuing a licence in trading services, you will have registered in one of BCFSA’s Applied Practice Courses. Once you have received your licence, you must complete the final components of the course while working at your brokerage. You have up to six months to do so.
If you do not complete the entire Applied Practice Course with the prescribed time limits, your licence will be terminated.
Accommodation Requests
If you are adversely affected by one of these requirements due to a protected characteristic under section 14 of the B.C. Human Rights Code (Protected Characteristic), you may apply for an accommodation request.
All accommodation requests will be evaluated under BCFSA’s Accommodation Policy. Please keep in mind that the authority and the responsibility to evaluate and make a decision about an accommodation request lie with BCFSA.
BCFSA maintains accommodation-related information in strict confidence and will not use the information for a purpose other than evaluating the accommodation request to which the information relates.