Real Estate as a Professional Career

How to Become Registered

Becoming a registered real estate agent (a “registrant”) in Saskatchewan requires a time and effort commitment on behalf of interested individuals. The real estate industry maintains a high standard in registration by requiring individuals to fulfill comprehensive, demanding education and experience requirements. Though no one is excluded from applying to become a registered professional in real estate in Saskatchewan, it is required that all applicants successfully meet our comprehensive requirements as per Commission guidelines.

There are a number of levels of registration that can be achieved during a career in real estate. The following diagram illustrates the paths open to registrants.

Once a student has purchased the Phase 1 Real Estate as a Professional Career course, the student will then have 2 years to complete the mandatory pre-registration education (Phase 1 and a full stream of Phase 2) and become registered with a brokerage.

Once registered, an individual’s registration level and/or category may be upgraded with further education. A number of choices exist for registration upgrades. Most individuals selling real estate or managing property in Saskatchewan are representatives registered to provide trading services or property management services, however, they may choose to become an associate broker, branch manager or broker. Should a registrant wish to upgrade to become an associate broker, branch manager or broker, they must successfully complete:

• all courses in Phase 2 Stream A (Residential, Commercial, Farm) or all courses in Phase 2 Stream B (Property Management); and
• the Phase 3 Office Management and Brokerage course

In order to change your registration status to that of broker, a registrant must have been practicing for at least 2 years over the last 5, and have successfully completed the required education (Phase 3, above).

The Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission regulates education and registration for the real estate profession in the province. UBC Sauder delivers this education on behalf of the Commission. You can register for courses through the UBC Sauder website.

Criminal Record Check

The Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission Bylaws require that applicants for a registration submit a criminal record check by fingerprint comparison. The criminal record check is reviewed along with any criminal convictions. Current policy is that these are not necessarily a bar to registration, depending upon circumstances and recent record.

In the case of summary conviction offences unrelated to employment, an application for registration will not be considered until the completion of sentence, parole, probation or payment of fine. Where summary conviction offences are related to real estate employment, application for registration will not be considered until at least two years after completion of sentence, parole, probation or payment of fine.

Longer waiting periods are imposed for white collar crimes and for indictable offences whether related or not related to employment. If you require further information with respect to a criminal record, please contact the Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission.

The Commission’s policy with respect to a criminal record check may be found here.

Inter-Provincial/Jurisdictional Registration

Reciprocity is the recognition and acceptance of  registration/licensing status from outside of the province. If you are presently, or have been previously registered/licensed in a Canadian jurisdiction other than Saskatchewan (within the past 2 years), and you wish to become registered as a real estate professional within Saskatchewan, please read and follow the directions on our Registration Reciprocity Guidelines document.

Change of Registration Status

Registrants who hold a current Certificate of Registration and who seek to change brokerage or registration status (i.e., from broker to salesperson, salesperson to broker, salesperson to branch manager, branch manager to broker, etc.), must fill out the Commission’s form, “Termination of Certificate of Registration” and include the brokerage’s signature as well. The registrant must also complete an application form to represent the new brokerage and the applicable registration fee must be paid.

Requirements

It is important to note that in order to apply for registration with the Commission, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Minimum of a Canadian high school diploma (or equivalent), or a post-secondary diploma/degree from a recognized institution.
• Proven proficiency in English language through the successful completion of the Language Proficiency Requirement.
• Be a Canadian citizen or have a permanent resident card or work permit.
• Submit a criminal record check by fingerprint comparison, including full disclosure of any criminal conviction or charges.

Continuing Professional Development

Registrants are required to complete mandatory CPD, or continuing professional development, every year within the registration year (from July 1 to May 30). This is a mandatory condition for continued registration within the province of Saskatchewan.