Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course

The Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course is administered on behalf of the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). The course provides part of the licensing education requirements for those who wish to become licensed as a trading services representative. For detailed course content and administration information, please view the Table of Contents and Course Regulations.

This blended learning course allows you to register at any time. While the course is flexible in order to meet the needs of busy adult learners, it provides just enough structure to ensure high quality learning (for example, in order to provide for a minimum level of familiarity with the curriculum and for a reasonable expectation of success on the final examination, assignments may be submitted on a pace that is no greater than 2 assignments per week beginning on the Course Registration Date). You must complete all course assignments within one year of registration in the course and also pass a final examination. Regularly scheduled exams take place at various times throughout the year throughout the province (exams must be written in Canada) or you may choose to take your exam at the computerized exam centre (CEC) at UBC (additional exam fees apply).

All licensing candidates for Real Estate Trading Services in British Columbia must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR). Real estate practitioners require a broad spectrum of language proficiency skills. Contracts and standard forms in British Columbia are in English. A demonstrated level of communication skills in English, both verbal and written, is critical to the delivery of high-quality services to clients. While students can register and begin their assignments without meeting the ELPR, the recommendation is to start this process early in your studies and to allow at least two months before you plan to register for your final exam, as this process can often take longer than expected. If licensing is your intention, we strongly recommend that you satisfy the ELPR prior to registering for your course. The English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR) is a requirement for all licensing candidates in British Columbia and must be satisfied prior to exam registration.

As a requirement of the Real Estate Services Act, the ELPR is satisfied by achieving 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) test on the same test score report. Scores from multiple test attempts cannot be combined. Please note: The ELPR can only be met with the CELPIP-General exam. You cannot use the CELPIP-LS exam because it only tests two of the four components, Listening and Speaking, and will not meet the ELPR criteria.

Candidates may be granted an exemption to the CELPIP-General exam if they:

• hold a conferred Bachelor's degree or higher degree (e.g., Master’s degree) from an accredited university, college or technical institute at which English is the primary language of instruction; or
• are licensed for real estate services in another Canadian jurisdiction with English language standards and have satisfied that jurisdiction's English language requirements. Applicants wishing to use this exemption should review the information at BCFSA before registering for a licensing course.

There are only two exemptions to the ELPR which are described above.

It is not possible to use high school graduation, undergraduate courses, Associate degrees, diploma or certificate programs (including post-graduate diploma or certificate programs), other language proficiency tests (e.g., IELTS, CAEL, CLB, LPI), degree evaluation reports other than the ICES Comprehensive Report, work experience, or licensing with other professional bodies, to meet the ELPR.

For more information on the ELPR, view How to Satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement. 

Additionally, in order to be eligible for real estate licensing in British Columbia, section 10(b)(i) of the Real Estate Services Act requires that an applicant for licensing is at least 19 years of age.

The Real Estate Services Act also requires that every licensee is of “good reputation”. General business and personal reputation, past and current criminal charges, convictions of an offence, contraventions to Federal or Provincial statutes, previous discipline by a professional body, and a past refusal, suspension, or cancellation of a license under real estate, insurance, mortgage broker or securities legislation will all be reviewed when considering an applicant’s reputation. If you have concerns about your eligibility for licensing as it relates to good reputation, you may want to review BCFSA's Good Reputation, Suitability and Fitness guidelines before registering in a licensing course.

Students should also note that all of the Real Estate Division’s courses have some level of mathematical calculations required. This course has material that contains detailed financial calculations which require a financial calculator.

Completing the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course satisfies part of the licensing education requirements in British Columbia for a representative's licence restricted to provide real estate trading services. After you pass the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing exam, you will need to complete the Residential or Commercial Trading Services Applied Practice Course. This course, which must be taken by all trading service representatives, is intended to build upon the technical knowledge provided in the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing course. For more information on the Applied Practice Course, including tuition and course schedules, please review the information at BCFSA or contact the BC Financial Services Authority at +1 604.660.3555.

To open your own brokerage, you will be required to either satisfy the requirements for a broker's licence, or hire a managing broker for your company. To become licensed as an associate broker or managing broker in British Columbia, individuals must complete the Broker's Business Planning and Financial Management Licensing Course and satisfy an experience requirement. The BC Financial Services Authority provides descriptions of associate and managing broker duties and a helpful step-by-step guide and budget: Broker Licensing. If you have questions regarding Broker’s licensing, please contact the BC Financial Services Authority at +1 604.660.3555 or toll-free at 1.866.206.3030.

The following student support services are included in the course tuition fee:

• Tutorial assistance from our course specialists, through a toll-free number and email.
• Online lectures/workshops, designed to assist you in learning the concepts covered in the course manual eBook. Attend optional live Zoom lectures/workshops, or access the video and audio recordings at any time. 
• Online course resources, containing course updates, study materials, schedules, and tutorial information.

External Tutors / Lectures

You are encouraged to take advantage of the Tutorial Assistance and Online Lectures/Workshops provided with your course rather than spending additional money on external services. Attend optional live Zoom lectures/workshops, or access the video and audio recordings at any time.

It is important to note that the Real Estate Division has no ties with tutorial classes provided by other members or organizations of the real estate industry and does not monitor or check the services they provide. The Real Estate Division cannot be responsible for any information provided by these individuals or companies. External tutorial companies regularly make false claims, such as "only 30% of students pass the exam" or "we'll guarantee that you will pass the exam", so that you will spend your money with them. Remember, there are no guarantees and the Real Estate Division works with all students to provide every opportunity for success.

The Real Estate Trading Services Supplemental Course is available to those licensees who are currently licensed, eligible to be licensed, or who have passed a full licensing exam within the last year and wish to become licensed to provide additional real estate services. The Course Schedule gives you an indication of the topics and lessons included.

Students should confirm their eligibility for a supplemental course before registration. As well, depending on eligibility, some students may be required to satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement and/or write the full three hour exam. Please note, upon successful completion of the examination and prior to making application for licensing, all Real Estate Trading Services licensing applicants must register for either the Residential or Commercial Applied Practice Course, delivered by the BC Financial Services Authority.

Tuition for the Supplemental Course is $775.

In certain cases, course exemptions are available based on previous related experience or education. If you are currently licensed and wish to add a service to your licence, you are required to complete the Supplemental Course and Examination. Details about course exemptions are set out in the Educational & Licensing Guidelines provided by the BC Financial Services Authority.

The Challenge Package assists students who have received permission to challenge the examination. The Challenge Package includes the course materials in electronic format only (such as the course manual eBook, online assignments and answers, online Practice Questions), access to the Course Resources webpage and the central tutor support service.

Tuition for the Challenge Package is $350.

The following candidates are eligible to purchase the Challenge Package:

• Individuals who have been provided with a written confirmation of a course exemption from the BC Financial Services Authority.

Eligible candidates should:

    -  Read the Challenge Package and Examination Information 
    -  Download and submit the Challenge Package Registration Form

Please note that as an alternative to purchasing the Challenge Package, you can purchase some course materials individually from the Bookstore; however, the online assignments and answers, online Practice Questions, student handbook and access to the Course Resources webpage are only available with the Challenge Package

If the BC Financial Services Authority has provided you with permission to challenge the course by writing the examination only, and you wish to register for the next regularly scheduled examination or a CEC examination without purchasing a Challenge Package, you should:

    -  Read the Challenge Package and Examination Information 
    -  Download the Challenge Examination Registration Form

Do not download the challenge exam registration form if you are currently registered in the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course.

Note: You must write the licensing examination within one year of the date your request was granted. Under the Council Rules, you are allowed two attempts at passing the examination. If you fail the exam on your first attempt, you must wait 90 days before writing the exam a second time. If you write the exam a second time, you must do so within two (2) years of the date your request was granted. If you do not write the examination within the time limit, or if you do not pass the examination after two attempts, you must complete the full licensing course and examination in order to qualify for licensing.

Inter-provincial candidates (those wishing to transfer their licence from another province/territory to British Columbia) should visit the BC Financial Services Authority's Jurisdiction webpage for information.

Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course: $1,150 Register now

Real Estate Trading Services Supplemental Course: $775 Register now

Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, certified cheque, and money order only. Cash and personal cheques are not accepted. 

Your tuition fee includes all of the appropriate course materials in electronic format only (e.g., course manual eBook), access to the Course Resources website, and student support services (e.g., live zoom lectures, online video and audio presentations). Hardcover manuals and calculators are sold separately.

Please note that tuition fees are subject to change and a minimum withdrawal reduction of $200 will apply once your registration has been processed. No refund of course fees will be available unless a withdrawal request is received by our office within one month of your registration date.

The Sauder School of Business and the Real Estate Division are committed to sustainability. By using the eBook or PDF version of the course manual that are included with your registration, you will help us with our initiative and save approximately 1000 printed pages.

However, we understand that everyone learns differently. If necessary, you can purchase a hardcover manual for an additional $200.00. If you are undecided, you can purchase a hardcover manual from the RED Bookstore at a later date. No Refunds are available after purchase.

Due to ongoing global supply chain issues and chip shortages, there is currently a shortage of HP10Bii calculators.

Students who plan to write their examination at the UBC Computerized Examination Centre (CEC) in Vancouver, should download the HP10Bii calculator app from In a Day Development to use during the course. If you plan to write your exam at the CEC, you DO NOT need to purchase a calculator. A physical calculator and/or an iPad/tablet with the app will be provided to you at your CEC exam.

If you choose to write your examination on a regularly scheduled examination date (at province wide locations), you will need a physical calculator for your exam. The calculator we recommend is the Hewlett Packard 10Bii+ calculator. There are many used calculators for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other Buy/Sell websites, along with other vendors who sell the calculator, and we encourage you to explore these options. If necessary, you can also purchase the calculator from the RED Bookstore for $112 ($100 plus $12 tax). No refunds are available after purchase and supply is limited.

If you are unsure as to which exam option you will choose, consider delaying the purchase of a calculator and in the meantime, download the calculator app for use during the course.