The Real Estate Council of Alberta’s (RECA) industry standards unit administers the Real Estate Act in the areas of licensing, professional standards, and maintains a licensing and registration system through RECA Online.
Industry standards also provides information and communication services to the public and to the industry, responds to inquiries made through the RECA toll-free number and the website, maintains the website and participates in industry trade shows. Additionally, it coordinates RECA communications internally and externally, conducts issue and policy research, and undertakes special projects.
In general terms, the director of industry standards is responsible for all of the activities of the industry standards unit. In addition, this position is the staff position responsible for the residential real estate, commercial real estate and property management advisory committees, oversees the development of consumer and industry tools related to the business of an industry member and RECA publications and communications.
The information and licensing coordinator provides support to the director of industry standards in the provision of information and licensing services, and coordinates, supervises and assists information officers and licensing administrators in carrying out their various duties and responsibilities. The coordinator assists the director of industry standards in liaising with external agencies and industry associations on issues of licensing and registration and education reporting issues, including the provision of licensing reports to AREF and REIX. The coordinator initiates, coordinates and maintains licensing information review files, assists with development, implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures for the licensing and registration and information services units, as well as industry-related documents and publications.
Information officers are the primary contact for industry members and consumers regarding information from RECA. As the front-line employees of RECA, their knowledge of Alberta’s real estate, mortgage brokerage, and real estate appraisal industries is broad, and they are there to serve industry members and the public. Information officers respond to the public, industry members, and industry associations with respect to licensing and registration issues and general inquiries regarding the Real Estate Act, Real Estate Act Rules and Bylaws, including initial qualification and analysis of complaints, and the provision of guidance as required.
Licensing administrators are responsible for providing effective service with regards to licensing forms, application processing and the RECA Online database. Other duties include communicating with industry members to resolve licensing issues, maintaining accurate documentation and acting as a commissioner of oaths.
The remaining responsibility of industry standards is communications – both with the industry and the general public. There are two communications positions within industry standards, and though both positions report to the director of industry standards, their communication roles and responsibilities extend to all RECA units. Communications is responsible for regular communications to the industry via RECA News emails, Regulator newsletters, an Annual Report, among other things, and ensuring the public is aware of activities within Alberta’s real estate, mortgage brokerage and real estate appraisal industries.
