The Real Estate Profession in Ontario
Real estate is a regulated profession in Ontario. While the provincial government writes the rules that real estate salespeople, brokers and brokerages must follow, and the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) enforces those rules on the government’s behalf. All real estate professionals in Ontario must be registered with RECO.
Becoming a Real Estate Professional in Ontario
All real estate professionals in Ontario start their careers as salespersons and then have the option to go on and become a broker if they wish to do so. The Real Estate Salesperson Program, delivered by Humber Polytechnic, is your first step towards becoming a real estate professional in Ontario.
The Real Estate Salesperson Program learning path consists of three steps. The first step in the program is called Pre-Registration and comprises of 5 courses, 4 exams, and 2 mandatory Simulation Sessions.
Register with RECO
The second step involves registering with RECO. Learners become eligible for registering with RECO upon successful completion of the Pre-Registration Phase of the Real Estate Salesperson Program.
The registration process with RECO requires applicants to complete the registration education requirements which includes obtaining an original Canadian Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check (CCRJMC) from their local police service.
Once learners are registered with RECO, they can trade in real estate in Ontario.
To be eligible to renew their registration at the end of their initial two-year registration cycle with RECO, learners must complete the third step called Post-Registration.
Finding a Brokerage
If you are looking for a brokerage to work with as you complete the Pre-Registration Phase, the area in which you live might serve as a great starting point to find local real estate brokerages to interview. You can also look to real estate boards across Ontario to find brokerages, specifically those near you.
You can also look up a list of brokerages on the Real Estate Council of Ontario’s website. In fact, course 5 of the Pre-Registration Phase of the program guides learners on how to launch their careers, with a focus on topics like obtaining and maintaining registration and insurance, and strategies for how to select a brokerage for employment.
