The Real Estate Division offers numerous Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in a self-study format. These courses provide focused learning that can be accomplished in a short time-frame and are sufficiently time flexible to suit a professional's busy schedule. Because they are self-paced, the student can complete them anytime, anywhere, and at the pace that suits their needs. See a list of all CPD self-study course offerings.

Course Structure

In a self-study CPD course, the student is mailed a printed copy of the course readings and is provided with access to supplementary materials online. The student reads the materials at their own pace and, when ready, completes a 20 question multiple choice online quiz. The quiz is open-book, self-administered, and is intended to be completed within one hour. When the passing grade of 60% is achieved, the successful student is mailed a grade letter and an award of recognition. This grade letter can be used as proof of successful completion of the course.

Links to recorded webinars recorded webinars are provided in courses that have been previously offered as a live webinar.

Please note that the quiz must be completed within one year of enrollment in the course.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why should I complete a CPD self-study course?

A: The CPD self-study courses are intended to offer real estate professionals a highly flexible means of achieving professional development education. Our goal is to provide an effective and inexpensive option to meet CPD requirements and to get professional education that will help your career. The students learn by self-direction, with materials provided to cover the main points and then additional online materials provided for those who wish to go further. The self-study courses do not have the benefit of instruction – those wanting a live classroom environment may wish to review the UBC Real Estate Division's webinar offerings.

Q: How many hours should I expect to spend on this course?

A: CPD credit hours are based on the expected number of hours a typical student should spend in reviewing the course materials. The CPD credit hours are established as 3 hours per lesson plus 1 hour to write the quiz.

Q: Are there pre-requisites to the CPD courses?

A: Most courses have no pre-requisites other than a general knowledge of business and real estate concepts. However, some courses do offer specialized and highly technical content and do require some specific prior knowledge. See the CPD course descriptions for specifics on pre-requisites.

Q: What courses are appropriate for residential appraisers (CRAs)?

A: Residential appraisers are restricted in what they appraise but require much the same foundation knowledge and skills as commercial appraisers. While there may be a restriction on what is appraised, there is no restriction on what may be learned, so pretty much any CPD course is useful, if it is an area of professional interest! That being said, the following courses may be of specific interest to those who focus only residentially:

• CPD 102: Valuation of Property Impairments and Contamination.  Some topics are commercial and technical, but much of it is applicable to residential issues.
• CPD 105: Highest and Best Use Analysis
• CPD 106: Multi-Family Property Valuation.  CRAs may appraise up to 4 unit properties.
• CPD 110: Real Estate Consulting: Critical Thinking, Research, and Risk Analysis.  This course is applicable to anyone in real estate; it is not specific to any area of practice, but is more about how professionals deal with issues beyond direct valuation.  It is a "thinking course", about how to broaden your professional horizons.
• CPD 113: Request for Proposals (RFPs). Learn about how to successfully bid for government work.
• CPD 115: Appraisal Review. Helpful for any appraiser who reviews the work of others, as well as for improving their own work.
• CPD 116: Land Valuation.  Some of this course has an in-depth commercial focus, but much of it is applicable to residential too.
• CPD 117: Exposure & Marketing Time: Valuation Impacts.  How to be more accurate about stating exposure times in appraisal reports and what to do in unusual situations (e.g., forced sales, relocations).
• CPD 119: Urban Infrastructure Policies & CPD 120: Urban Infrastructure Applications.  These courses explain the details that go into developing cities, from an engineering perspective.
• CPD 122: Expropriation Valuation.  Some in-depth commercial topics, but mostly applicable to residential applications.
• CPD 123: Adjustment Support in the Direct Comparison Approach.  Emphasizes how to better substantiate adjustments and avoid unsupported “guesstimate” appraisals.
• CPD 125: Green Value – Valuing Sustainable Commercial Buildings. Focus is on commercial buildings, but general principles can apply residentially too.
• CPD 126: CPD 126: Getting to Green – Energy Efficient and Sustainable Housing. Green building design for residential properties.

Q: What are the technological requirements? Will I have to install software?

A: It is mandatory that students have access to a computer for this course. Internet access is a requirement in this course, as without this, you will not have access to the many resources on the course webpage, including the course's final quiz. The course uses UBC's WebCT Vista system and modern computers (i.e., less than 5 years old) should be able to access this system without difficulty. The minimum technical requirements are as follows:

For PC Users:

• Windows XP SP2 Home/Pro or Windows Vista Home; 800 mhz; 512 MB RAM.
• Internet Explorer 7.0 or Mozilla Firefox 2 (latest browser versions recommended).
• Dial-up/cable/ADSL Internet connection with a minimum speed of 33.3 kbps.

For MAC Users:

• OS X 10.4; G4 800 mhz; 512 MB RAM.
• Safari 3 or Mozilla Firefox 2 (latest browser versions recommended).
• Dial-up/cable/ADSL Internet connection with a minimum speed of 33.3 kbps.

Q: I have a slow (dial-up) Internet connection, can I participate?

A: Yes! WebCT Vista is text-based and does not use high bandwidth graphics, videos, or animation. You may have to wait longer to view and download files, but you should be fine with a dial-up connection.

Q: How is the quiz set up?

A: You may write your quiz at any time, as soon as you're ready. The quiz is completed on the course website, 20 multiple choice questions, completed in one-hour. The quiz is open book and is self-invigilated (i.e., you don't need someone supervising you). You need to achieve a grade of 60% to pass. If you do not pass, you may rewrite the quiz for a $25 fee.

Q: How difficult is the quiz?

A: The quiz is quite simple and straightforward in comparison to typical university "exams". Our goal is simply to ensure students have in fact read the course materials as required. The quiz is not intended to be exceptionally difficult, but just challenging enough that students must have read the materials in order to successfully complete it.

Q: Are the online readings tested?

A: The only readings tested are those specified at the front of the lesson(s) under Assigned Readings. In some cases these may include selected online readings, but usually all readings are provided in the printed course workbook.

Q: If I don't write the quiz, can I still claim any CPD credits?

A: No, the quiz is mandatory in order to be eligible for CPD credits.

See also the Frequently Asked Questions for CPD Webinars