Education Framework

RECA sets the education framework through specific standards for competency and knowledge required to practice services regulated under the Real Estate Act.

Courses are developed and provided by recognized course providers. RECA periodically conducts reviews of course content to ensure that courses provided remain current and that required standards continue to be met.


The honest pursuit of education by those engaged in learning is the cornerstone for the development and enhancement of professionalism. An individual’s intellectual engagement, personal integrity, and ethical conduct are inherent in the learning process and necessary for the acquisition of new knowledge and the development of new skills by that individual.

As licensees, individuals have the responsibility to gain the requisite knowledge and skills and adopt a mindset for continuous improvement to ensure they are competent in the provision of services to the public. Competent practice is foundational to maintaining the trust, respect, and confidence of other licensees and the public.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) provides pre-licensing and relicensing education initiatives for the professions that it governs, which are real estate brokerage, property management, and mortgage brokerage. RECA Credentialing Support Services requirements include, but are not limited to, the eligibility, enrollment, and participation in courses or programs, and any associated examinations. Individuals who participate in RECA’s education requirements are referred to as learners. This Education Code of Conduct for Learners applies equally to licensees and those intending to become licensees.

RECA supports a principle-based approach to learning as the foundation for the development of professional conduct in practice. As such, the learner will ensure that he or she demonstrates the following principle-based code of conduct when participating in any RECA Credentialing Support Services initiative.

Principle 1

Learners will be actively engaged in their education and make their best efforts to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills as set out by the identified learning outcomes for that course or program.

Principle 2

Learners will at all times conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, and respectfulness.

Principle 3

Learners may assist other learners when the assistance provided to them supports their engagement in the learning process and results in their honest acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Principle 4

Learners will support RECA’s education requirements and will conduct themselves in a manner that does not undermine the integrity, efficacy, and efficiency of any aspect of RECA’s education.


To withdraw from a course, you must send a written request to education@reca.ca within 10 business days from the date you purchased the course and not having progressed past Unit 2. If your request is approved, payment will be sent to the person who paid for the course less a non-refundable amount of $300 for course administration costs. No refunds will be approved after the 10 business days.


Please note, individual course providers are responsible for reviewing extension requests for learners currently enroled in their courses. The below information applies only to courses offered through RECA. 

You must keep track of your program/course expiry date(s), in your myRECA account.

There is a one-time 30-day extension available for a $300 fee. You can purchase your 30-day extension through your myRECA account under My Applications.

You must pay the extension fee within the 10 days before your program/course expires. Once a program/course has expired, you will not be able to receive an extension, as expired programs/courses are not retained in the system.

You may only extend your program expiry date once within the program. If you are unable to complete all applicable courses by your extended expiry date, you must start the program again from the beginning. You will be required to re-enrol, retake and pass all courses and exams that you have previously completed.


RECA’s Exam Guidelines for Learners are provided to all learners at the time of booking their final exam. It’s imperative that learners read it and understated it before proceeding to write final exam at an approved exam centre arranged through Meazure Learning.


Within 24 hours of completing the course, you will be able to access the Book Exam link on the Current Courses page in your myRECA account.

If you cannot access the Book Exam link after 24 hours of completing the course check that all of the units are completed by verifying there are green check marks next to each of the online course units, including the practice exam.

If you still cannot access the Book Exam link, contact RECA Credentialing Support Services for assistance at education@reca.ca.

You are responsible to book your exam and pay the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam. You must achieve a minimum of 70% to pass the exam.


If you fail your exam you can have one opportunity before your program/course expires to retake the exam. Once your program/course expires, you cannot rewrite any failed exam. You can book a second writing of the exam through the Book Exam link on the Current Courses page in your myRECA account. You are responsible to pay the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam. You must achieve a minimum of 70% to pass the exam. If you do not pass the rewrite exam, you will have to re-enroll in the program/course to continue your learning. Attempting to write an exam more than the permitted number of times is a violation of the Education Code of Conduct for Learners.


Exam accommodations enable you to demonstrate your knowledge of the course materials in cases where a disability or ongoing medical condition may impact your ability to access exams under standard conditions.

If you are a learner with a disability or ongoing medical conditions and require exam accommodations, please email Credentialing Support Services at education@reca.ca to find out more about your options.


Individuals previously licensed by RECA who have continued to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages not requiring a licence may apply for Education Exemption. This exemption allows an individual to receive an exemption from having to enrol and complete Real Estate Associates Program or Mortgage Associates Program. To qualify for the exemption you must meet the following:

Real Estate Brokerage

  • You were previously licensed by RECA to trade in real estate within the last 5 years
  • You have continued to work on real estate industry performing activities that do not require a real estate licence
  • You must provide proof of satisfactory experience and knowledge of current real estate practices
  • The exemption will be sector specific. (Learn more about RECA’s sector licensing)

Mortgage Brokerage

  • You were previously licensed by RECA to deal in mortgages within the last 5 years
  • You have continued to work in mortgage industry performing activities that do not require a mortgage brokerage licence
  • You must provide proof of experience and knowledge of current mortgage broker practices

If you are unsure if this exemption applies to you please contact Credentialing Support Services (CSS)

Application Process

Application Fee- $125 (non-refundable)

Contact CSS by email to begin the application process. CSS will create an application on your myRECA account. Once an application is created you will then be required to pay the fee online and submit a completed application form for review.

Your application will then be reviewed. If you have satisfactory experience and knowledge of current real estate or mortgage broker practices in Alberta you will be allowed to write the applicable examinations.

  • If you are allowed to write the exam you are responsible for the examination and proctor fees
  • If you fail any of the examinations, you will be required to complete all education requirements. There are no rewrites.
  • Fees paid for the education exemption process, examination fees, or proctoring fees are not refundable nor will they be credited to other RECA education courses, programs, or licensing
  • You will not be provided access to any courses or course materials. The premise of your application is that you have satisfactory experience and knowledge of current real estate or mortgage broker practices in Alberta to challenge the examinations.

The decision to decline an education exemption request is final.


Course Timeline

Time required for learners to complete pre-licensing courses offered by other course providers (not RECA) will be set by those course providers.

Once the course provider sets your course to “Ready for Exam” status, you will have 3 months to successfully pass RECA pre-licensing exam from the date your status is changed to “Ready for Exam.

** If you enroled in your Fundamentals of Real Estate course or Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage course prior to September 28, 2022, then your timeline is described below, refer to—Education Program Timeline Policy—For Enrolments BEFORE September 28, 2021

Licensing Timeline

Once you complete your last course of your pre-licensing program, you have a maximum of one year, from the date you pass your Area of a Practice exam, to become licensed.

Passing Grade

You will have 2 attempts at the exam and you must obtain a minimum of 70% on exams to pass.


If you enrolled into your first RECA course or are adding a sector on or after September 28, 2021:

Course Timeline—Prospective licensees have 6 months to complete pre-licensing courses offered by RECA. RECA deems a course as complete when the learner finishes the online portion and passes the respective exam. Please note: the time required for learners to complete pre-licensing courses offered by other course providers (not RECA) will be set by those course providers. This timeline applies to real estate courses, mortgage courses and broker program courses offered by RECA.

Potential mortgage licensees taking the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage offered by the Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association (AMBA), please note that you will have six months to complete the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage once you complete the Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage. AMBA also has its own extension policies.

Licensing Timeline—Once you complete your last course of your pre-licensing program, you have a maximum of one year, from the date you pass your Area of a Practice exam, to become licensed. Licensing timeline is not applicable to Real Estate Broker Program or Mortgage Broker Program learners.

Passing Grade—You will have 2 attempts at the exam and you must obtain a minimum of 70% on exams to pass.


Real Estate Associates Program (REAP) (for real estate agents and property managers)

REAP consists of Fundamentals of Real Estate and at least one practice course.

Program Timeline—You have a maximum of 18 months to complete REAP from the date you enroll in Fundamentals of Real Estate (this includes the courses and exams). If taking more than one practice course within 18 months, this timeline still applies.

Licensing Timeline—Once you complete REAP you have a maximum of one year, from the date you pass your Area of a Practice exam, to become licensed.

Passing Grade—You must obtain a minimum of 70% on exams to pass.

Taking Additional Practice Course After REAP

This applies to individuals that have completed REAP that are past the 18-month timeline and are not yet licensed.

Course Timeline—You have a maximum of 120 days to complete your course (including passing the exam) from the date of your enrollment.

Licensing Timeline—Once you have passed your additional practice course, you have a maximum of one year, from the date you pass your REAP (not this course), to become licensed.

Passing Grade—You must obtain a minimum of 70% on exam to pass.

Mortgage Associates Program (MAP)

MAP consists of two courses: The Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage and the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage.

Program Timeline—You have a maximum of 1 year to complete MAP from the date you enroll in Fundamentals of Mortgage (this includes courses and exams).

Licensing Timeline—Once you complete MAP you have a maximum of one year, from the date you pass the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage exam, to become licensed.

Passing Grade—You must obtain a minimum of 70% on exams to pass.

Adding Sector to Licence  (Real Estate)

This applies to individuals that are already licensed and are adding an additional area of practice by taking an additional practice course.

Course Timeline—You have maximum 120 days to complete your course (including passing the exam) from the date of your enrollment.

Licensing Timeline—Once you have passed your practice course, your licence will be updated to show the latest authorization. Please allow up to 24 hours for this process.

Passing Grade—You must obtain a minimum of 70% on exam to pass.

Broker Program (Real Estate and Mortgage):

Course Timeline—You have maximum 2 years to complete your course (including passing the exam) from the date of your enrollment.

Passing Grade—You must obtain a minimum of 70% on exam to pass.



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