All four sectors begin the process the same way. Some steps apply to specific industries or situations. Please only complete steps that pertain to you.
Please review the entire process before beginning.
New applicants should pay special attention to the Education Eligibility requirements in Step 3c (unless you are a Licence Mobility or Suitability applicant).
First thing’s first: are you eligible to become a licensed professional?
Eligibility standards:
Additional requirements for Real Estate and Property Management industries
myRECA is RECA’s online licensing and education system. You will become eligible, complete courses, request services, and maintain your licence through myRECA.
To create an account, you will need to:
View the tutorial for Creating a myRECA Account.
Once you complete setting up your myRECA account, the system will ask you to log in for the first time. Do not begin this step until you are ready to begin your application and education eligibility process. This step includes the completion of one of three potential eligibility related applications, including payment. Read through these steps and wait until you’re ready before logging in for the first time.
The first question in this process will ask you what type of user you are. Select Licensee.
The first time you log in, RECA will ask you to submit one of the following:
As you answer the questions in myRECA when you log in, simply indicate if the labour mobility and suitability do not apply to you, and move on to the Education Eligibility Application.
If Labour Mobility or Suitability reviews apply to you, the system will instruct you about your next steps.
Go to step 3a, 3b, or 3c, depending on which situation applies to you.
RECA considers an Education Eligibility application abandoned if not completed within 180 days after payment of the $100 non-refundable application fee. RECA destroys all documentation for abandoned applications.
RECA maintains reasonable and systematic controls, schedules, and practices for personal information retention and destruction. As part of RECA’s Education course enrollment process, learners are required to indicate they agree to RECA’s collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information for determining their eligibility and enrollment in any pre-licensing or post-licensing education courses, licensing, and other regulatory purposes under the Real Estate Act, in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
Only licensees from certain jurisdictions are eligible for labour mobility with Alberta. Make sure you are eligible by reviewing the information in the drop down below.
If you currently hold or previously held a licence in one of the below jurisdictions, you are exempt from the pre-licensing education requirements in Alberta for a comparable licence class.
Real Estate |
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Canada | USA |
British Columbia | Georgia |
Saskatchewan | Montana |
Manitoba | Nebraska |
New Brunswick | Oregon |
Newfoundland and Labrador | South Dakota |
Northwest Territories | Utah |
Ontario | |
Quebec | |
PEI | |
Yukon Territory | |
Nova Scotia | |
Mortgage |
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Canada |
British Columbia |
Saskatchewan |
Manitoba |
New Brunswick |
Ontario |
Quebec |
When you log in to myRECA for the first time, the system will ask if you are coming from another jurisdiction. Answer positively, and follow the steps.
The fee for a Labour Mobility Application is $100.
The system will ask you to upload supporting documents with your application. You have six months to complete your application.
The required documents are:
Also, request your current and past regulatory bodies to send RECA your licensing history. RECA deems licensing histories valid for 90 days from the issue date. As such, if approved for labour mobility, you must become licensed within 90 days from the date of your licensing history or your eligibility will expire.
Real Estate Professionals (not Mortgage) must complete the Consumer Relationships e-learning course on transaction brokerage and designated agency, unless coming from British Columbia or Nova Scotia. The Consumer Relationships course fee is $300 and you must complete it and the exam within 120 days of RECA issuing a licence. RECA licensing staff will direct you on how to enroll.
If RECA approves your Labour Mobility application, go to step 5: Certified Criminal Record Check.
View the tutorial for completing a Labour Mobility Application
During the licensing process you will need to answer a series of suitability questions about matters such as past criminal proceedings, regulatory proceedings, civil proceedings, and bankruptcies. If this might be an issue for you, it is better to address it now through a Suitability Review, before you proceed any further.
Suitability issues can include events where you:
A positive response to these questions on a licensing application will trigger a review of your good character by RECA, and may result in RECA refusing your application or placing terms on your licence.
If you think you might have a concern with these suitability issues, apply for a suitability review prior to spending any money on the pre-licensing education. Better you find out if there’s an issue before you begin than after spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on courses.
RECA follows a Good Character Policy when determining suitability.
Case law defines good character as moral strength and includes integrity, candour, empathy, and honesty. RECA evaluates the following when assessing an individual’s good character:
Read RECA’s Good Character Policy in full.
When you log in to myRECA for the first time, the system will ask you if there is anything in your past that you think may prevent you from becoming licensed. If you answer positively, follow the system steps.
The Fee for a Suitability Review Application is $200.
The system will ask you to upload supporting documents with your application. The supporting documents RECA requires differ depending on which suitability question you answer positively.
If RECA reviews your suitability and determines your circumstances would not prevent you from obtaining a licence, you may go to step 3c and begin an Education Eligibility Application.
View the tutorial for completing a Suitability Review Application
NOTE: It will take 7-10 business days to process your Education Eligibility Application. You can check the status of your application by logging into your myRECA account.
Before you can enroll in RECA pre-licensing courses, you must prove you meet the requirements from step 1.
TIP: If you plan on real estate or property management as your career, and you haven’t already done so, complete the Real Estate Career Information Session before starting this process.
When you log into myRECA for the first time, and answer no to the Labour Mobility and Suitability Review sections, you will begin an Education Eligibility Application. Answer honestly as you will have to provide evidence.
The fee for an Education Eligibility Application is $100. This fee is non-refundable.
The system will ask you to upload documents supporting your eligibility. For a complete list of proof that RECA accepts for eligibility, see the dropdown items below. Upload the required documents to your application within your myRECA account. Once eligibility documents have been processed all documents are destroy in compliance with privacy policies.
1. Source document: proof of identity and ability to study in Alberta (no substitute accepted) |
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| Born in Canada | copy of birth certificate |
| Born outside of Canada |
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2. Supporting Document – Canadian government photo identification (one of the following) |
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| RECA accepts |
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| Identification must contain |
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| Identification must also |
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Important: If there are errors in either the source document or government photo identification the issuing government agency must make the correction. If the legal name on the identification is truncated due to limited space, we may request additional documentation to confirm the full legal name.
The name and birthdate in the source document, government-issued photo identification, and myRECA account must match.
3. If the identification does not match we will accept the following: |
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| Legal name change |
All name change documents must show both the current and the previous name and be supported by one of the following:
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| Preferred name(s) |
Preferred names (i.e. Bill instead of William or Sue instead of Susan) are not allowed unless a legal certificate of name change is presented.
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4. Proof of EducationYou must request an official education transcript or education assessment to be mailed directly from the education institution or assessment service to: Real Estate Council of Alberta Please remind your educational institution to mail directly to the address above, and to not have Canada Post hold the mail for pick-up. We will not receive it if they do. For the convenience of applicants, we accept digital transcripts from Alberta Education. When ordering your transcript simply select Real Estate Council of Alberta from their dropdown list and your transcripts will be electronically delivered to us. COVID-19 Update |
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| Proof of Canadian Education (one of the following |
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| Proof of Non-Canadian Education |
Assessed non-Canadian education transcript stating:
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RECA does not accept the following as proof of education:
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5. Proof of English ProficiencyAll education programs are in English consistent with the Alberta business environment. You must provide proof of English proficiency, in all areas (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), by submitting one of the following documents. |
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| Transcript Indicating |
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| Foreign Education Assessments |
If you are using a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluations Services of Canada (ACESC) for your education assessment, and your instruction was exclusively English or you have successfully completed Grade 12 English courses, please request an education, comprehensive, or course by course assessment – depending on the assessment service you have chosen. Please direct any questions to the ACESC member you are using. |
| English Proficiency Assessment
RECA will only accept assessments given by the listed organizations |
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RECA does not accept the following as proof of English
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6. Proof of Completing Real Estate Information Session (only applies to real estate or property management professionals) |
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Once RECA receives your supporting documentation and approves your application, you can enroll in RECA pre-licensing courses.
View the tutorial for Completing an Education Eligibility Application
All industries have pre-licensing courses you must complete prior to applying for a licence.
Real estate professionals and property managers must complete the Real Estate Associates Program (REAP). Property managers are a subset of real estate, and hold a real estate licence. REAP consists of the Fundamentals of Real Estate and at least one of the four Practice courses for residential, commercial, or property management (which is the course property managers MUST complete), or rural. The REAP program costs $2,050-$4,450, depending on the number of practice courses you complete.
Mortgage professionals must complete the Mortgage Associates Program (MAP). It consists of the Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage and the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage (delivered by the Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association). The MAP program costs $2,750.
You must complete the Fundamentals of Real Estate before enrolling in a practice course.
In order to practice in residential, commercial, property management, or rural, you must complete the corresponding education first. As an example, licensees who only complete the residential real estate course, cannot practice in rural or commercial real estate, or perform property management services. If you complete the courses in all areas of practice, you practice in all those areas. Review definitions for each area of practice:
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).
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.
Fundamentals of Real Estate
The Fundamentals of Real Estate provides you with the knowledge and skills needed for the practice courses and ultimately for your practice.
The course fee is $1,250, which includes access to the Required Online Course, support from Learner Support Services, an eBook, and a practice exam. Learners can purchase a textbook at an additional cost. Authorized exam centres deliver the exams, and you are responsible for the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam.
Practice of Residential Real Estate
The course includes relevant content, practical examples and thoughtful activities to prepare you for representing buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. The course fee is $800, which includes access to the Required Online Course, support from Learner Support Services, an eBook, and a practice exam. Learners can purchase a textbook at an additional cost. Authorized exam centres deliver the exams, and you are responsible for the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam.
Practice of Rural Real Estate
The course discusses the complexities of selling and buying rural properties of an agribusiness nature, such as farms, ranches, as well as crop and livestock operations. The course focuses on matters that apply to rural sellers, buyers, and transactions. These matters include agribusiness operations, soil and climatic conditions, land descriptions, utility services, water management, waste management, tax implications, and a range of environmental issues and related legislation. The course fee is $800, which includes access to the Required Online Course, support from Learner Support Services, an eBook, and a practice exam. Learners can purchase a textbook at an additional cost. Authorized exam centres deliver the exams, and you are responsible for the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam.
Practice of Commercial Real Estate
This course describes the skills required in commercial real estate and the various aspects of commercial practice. It discusses the attributes of commercial, industrial and investment properties, basics of investment decision-making and ownership options for buyers and sellers. The course fee is $800, which includes access to the Required Online Course, support from Learner Support Services, an eBook, and a practice exam. Learners can purchase a textbook at an additional cost. Authorized exam centres deliver the exams, and you are responsible for the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to wrote your final exam.
Please note: The Hewlett Packard (HP) HP10BII+ calculator is required for this course and the final exam.
Practice of Property Management
This course provides the basic knowledge and skills needed for a career in property management. It covers such topics as leasing, tenant selection, relevant legislation, property operations, residential tenancies, and trust accounting. The course fee is $800, which includes access to the Required Online Course, support from Learner Support Services, an eBook, and a practice exam. Learners can purchase a textbook at an additional cost. Authorized exam centres deliver the exams, and you are responsible for the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam.
If you have earned a Real Property Administrator (RPA) or Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation and your designation is current, you may apply to RECA to be exempted from the property management course and exam. For further information, please contact RECA Education at education@reca.ca.
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.
Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage
The Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage prepares learners for the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage and ultimately for their mortgage brokerage practice. The course fee is $1,250, which includes access to the online course, support from Learner Support Services, an eBook, and a practice exam. Learners can purchase a textbook at an additional cost. Authorized exam centres deliver the exams, and you are responsible for the exam fee. Make sure to plan ahead as it takes 5 business days to confirm your booking to write your final exam.
Practice of Mortgage Brokerage
The Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association (AMBA) provides this course. This course allows learners to apply their knowledge through practice-related scenarios that cover a wide variety of situations. For information regarding this course and the cost, please contact AMBA.
Important Information
Course 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 the course, you have a maximum of one year, from the date you pass your exam, to become licensed.
Passing grade—You must obtain a minimum of 70% on exams to pass.
You enroll in and access these courses in the Education tab of your myRECA account (except for the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage, which AMBA delivers on behalf of RECA).
The tutorial for Enrolling in RECA Education Courses is coming soon.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
While some previously shuttered private fingerprinting agencies in Alberta have begun to re-open in some areas, prospective industry professionals may still have difficulty locating an available agency through which they can apply for their CCRC. Please contact licensing@reca.ca for more information.
As you near the completion of your pre-licensing education, or, if you are applying for labour mobility, once you receive your approval, contact a private, accredited fingerprint agency or your local law enforcement to request a Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC). These agencies will fingerprint you and forward them to the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) in Ottawa, who will perform the check.
RECA must review and accept your CCRC before you can become licensed.
CONSUMER TIP: Sign a Third Party Waiver of Consent when you apply for a CCRC, so the RCMP can forward your results directly to RECA.
FAQs |
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Q A | What is a Certified Criminal Record Check? A Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) is a certified fingerprint-based criminal record search for non-criminal purposes conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ottawa, in which digital fingerprints are compared against the central repository of Canadian criminal records. Please ensure you request a CCRC, not a vulnerable sector search. |
Q A | Who is required to submit a CCRC? RECA requires you to submit a CCRC if you are:
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Q A | Why does RECA require a CCRC? RECA’s mandate is to protect the public, the reputation of the profession and to protect against and suppress mortgage fraud. RECA requires a CCRC to confirm your identity and background information. If you have had a criminal conviction, this may indicate you are not of good character, may place the public at risk, harm the integrity of the profession or bring the integrity of other industry professionals into disrepute. By providing digital fingerprints, the RCMP can confirm your identity and your background. |
Q A | What are the CCRC requirements? Your CCRC must be no older than 6 months at the time you submit an application for licensing. The CCRC must contain your complete legal name and date of birth as it reads on your birth certificate, citizenship card or permanent residency card. Complete a Third Party Waiver of Consent when you apply for your CCRC so the RCMP can send it directly to RECA. |
Q A | What happens if my CCRC does not show my complete legal name? If your CCRC does not show your complete legal name (i.e. your middle name is missing, or one of your names has been misspelled), depending on the circumstances, the executive director may:
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Q A | What can I do if I have to provide a new CCRC? Contact the location where you applied for your CCRC. The missing/incorrect name may be the result of a clerical error. If the missing/incorrect name is the result of having provided proof of identification that contains a misspelled name or does not contain your full legal name (i.e. passport, driver’s licence), make sure the fingerprinting agency is aware of the requirement to submit your full legal name as it appears on your birth certificate, citizenship card or permanent resident card. |
Q A | How do I get a CCRC? To get a CCRC, go to a private accredited fingerprinting agency or a police detachment that provides fingerprinting services (NOTE: not all police services/detachments provide fingerprinting services—we suggest you call in advance). The private fingerprinting agency or local police will scan your fingerprints and forward them to the RCMP Civil Fingerprint Screening Services in Ottawa. Fingerprints must be scanned and submitted electronically to the RCMP. The RCMP does not accept paper-based fingerprint submissions. Complete a Third Party Waiver of Consent when you apply for your CCRC so the RCMP can send it directly to RECA. |
Q A | How long does it take to get a CCRC? It depends on whether you have a criminal record. Visit the RCMP's website to find approximate processing times. RECA is not able to provide any explanations for RCMP processing delays. |
Q A | What can I do to reduce delays? To avoid delays in obtaining your CCRC:
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Q A | Where can I get my fingerprints scanned? Visit the RCMP website for a list of private accredited fingerprinting agencies to find one close to you. If you are unable to visit these locations, you may submit paper-based fingerprints using form C-216C available at your local police station or a private accredited fingerprinting agency to XL-ID Solutions, which will digitize your fingerprints and submit them to the RCMP on your behalf. |
Q A | How do I know RECA has received my CCRC? RECA will send you an email after we receive and review your CCRC. To ensure you receive this email, make sure your email address is up to date through your myRECA account. |
Q A | Can I become licensed after RECA receives my CCRC? If RECA has received, reviewed and accepted your CCRC, and you have completed all pre-licensing education and exams or have been approved for labour mobility, your broker can initiate your licensing and registration application. |
Q A | Can I get licensed if I have a criminal record? A criminal record does not necessarily prevent you from becoming licensed, as each applicant is evaluated on his or her own merits. You may request a suitability review, as per step 3b of this process to avoid investing in pre-licensing education only to have your licence application refused due to something in your past (criminal record, discipline, etc). |
Q A | What happens to my fingerprints and my CCRC? When RECA receives your CCRC your fingerprints are immediately removed and destroyed. Your CCRC, with fingerprints removed, is held in confidence by RECA in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act and RECA’s Privacy Policy. For more information on RECA’s Privacy Policy, contact RECA’s Privacy Officer. |
For more information on CCRCs, please visit the RCMP’s Civil Fingerprinting Screening Services website.
When you complete your education, or are approved for labour mobility, and RECA has received and approved your Certified Criminal Record Check, you become eligible for licensing. This status will show in the Licensing tab of your myRECA account.
For your next step, you must contact a licensed brokerage in Alberta and come to an agreement for them to hire you.
TIP: Be choosey. Don’t just go with the first brokerage you come across. Every brokerage is different: different in size, level of supervision, opportunities for mentorship, and employment arrangements. It’s important to go with the brokerage that fits you best. Ask brokers a lot of questions before agreeing to work for them. RECA prepared a List of Questions to Ask A Brokerage (PDF) to use when interviewing a brokerage.
When your brokerage hires you, you will likely have to complete employment contracts with the brokerage, membership applications for your trade association (if your brokerage is a member), along with your licensing application.
Once you find a brokerage you want to work for, and they’ve agreed to take you on, your new broker will begin the licensing process.
To do so they will ask for your myRECA username.
They will use their brokerage myRECA account to begin an application for you based on your username. Once initiated, you can complete your portion of the application from your myRECA account. Once you’ve finished and submitted your application back to the broker, they will review your application. If they accept it, either they, or you, will pay your licensing fees (it depends what you agreed to beforehand). Once you or they have paid your fees, you are licensed, registered, and ready to work.
Check the current licensing fees in the Fee Schedule. Please note that these costs do not include membership in any real estate organizations or boards which may be required if your brokerage is a member. The initial costs to join a board varies, but can be up to $3,000, with ongoing annual costs as high as $1,800. Contact the specific organizations to determine their costs. Some brokerages may also have start-up costs for new hires, which you should determine during your brokerage interview.
Check your licence status in the licence tab of your myRECA account. It should indicate you are authorized and show what sectors are on your licence (for real estate).
View the tutorial for completing a new licence application with myRECA
