Licensing & Renewals > Real Estate Appraisal > Licensing Process

Licensing Process

Real estate appraisers and real estate appraiser candidates require a licence from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) in order to perform appraisals on a fee for service basis in Alberta. The following information provides a step-by-step overview of the licensing process for real estate appraisers and real estate appraiser candidates for first-time applicants.

Step 1: Complete the education and training required to become a real estate appraiser candidate or a real estate appraiser with one of the following appraisal associations recognized by RECA. Each of the associations listed below sets its own education and training standards. Please contact the association(s) directly to find out what education and training is required.

• Alberta Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada
• Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers
• Alberta Assessors’ Association

Step 2: To become licensed by RECA for the first time as a real estate appraiser or real estate appraiser candidate, a person must first be eligible to enroll in RECA’s required education program. In order to enroll, the applicant must complete the Education Eligibility Application Form and meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be proficient in the English language; and
• Be a member in good standing of a recognized appraisal association.

For more information on the eligibility requirements to enroll and how to meet them, click here.

Step 3: Once you become notified by RECA that you are eligible, you may enroll in the Real Estate Appraisers Program (AP). This program is delivered by RECA and is comprised of 1 course entitled Real Estate Appraisal in Alberta and 1 final exam. Successful completion of the course and exam meets RECA’s education requirement for real estate appraisers and candidates who wish to become licensed by RECA in order to perform appraisals for a fee in Alberta. In order to be valid for licensing, the education requirement (online course, final exam and a final exam re-write, if applicable) must be completed within 120 days from the date of course purchase. This course is available online through RECA Education, which is located on the RECA website (www.reca.ca).

Step 4: Once you have successfully completed AP, which includes the Real Estate Appraisal in Alberta course and final exam, and completion of the education requirement occurred within the 120 day timeframe (see Step 3), you may make application to become licensed with RECA. Your application to become licensed must be accompanied by the following documentation:

• Letter of good standing to be sent directly to RECA from one of the following professional appraisal associations:
• Alberta Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada
• Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers
• Alberta Assessors’ Association
• Complete a Real Estate Appraiser/Candidate Licence Application and have it commissioned by a Commissioner for Oaths. Forward the original, completed and signed application to RECA. Please note that the affidavit on your application is valid for 30 days. Please provide all the above requirements before the affidavit on your application expires.

Along with your application, provide the following:

• A copy of legal identification (your birth certificate or Canadian Citizenship card; no other identification will be accepted).
• An executed RECA ONLINE Electronic Filer Agreement.
• An executed final page of the RECA ONLINE User Manual. RECA ONLINE training is available for new applicants.
• Required fees (please see current fee schedule).


• You will also require a Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in order to become licensed as a new industry member. CCRCs are only valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Ensure RECA receives your CCRC no more than 6 months in advance of when you intend to become licensed for the first time. For more details on how to obtain a CCRC, please click here.

Step 5: RECA will review your documentation and process your licensing application. Once your application has been approved and processed, RECA will email you your Licence Certificate.

Eligibility Requirements

Education Requirements

Certified Criminal Record Check

Suitability