The Steps You Have to Go Through to Become a Real Estate Agent in BC

Step 1:

Meet the BC provincial requirements of age and background, then satisfy the BC Financial Services Authority's English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR), and then register at the UBC Sauder School of Business for the “Real Estate Trading Services licensing course”.

Step 2:

Study the UBC course material and pass the UBC exam.
After you pass the UBC real estate exam and before doing anything else, start shopping for a brokerage. Make sure you have narrowed down your choice to two or three brokerages the max.

Step 3:

Register for the post-UBC exam course, which is called the “Residential or Commercial Real Estate Trading Applied Course” — no more UBC style exams here, you will be guided by the BC Financial Services Authority.
This course is comprised of TWO PHASES, and each phase consists of TWO components. The FIRST PHASE must be completed before applying for your real estate license and the SECOND PHASE will be completed after obtaining your temporary real estate license.
The successful completion of the FIRST PHASE of this course will give you the right to apply for your Temporary Real Estate License.

Step 4:

Through the brokerage of your choice, you will apply for your real estate license.
Once you submit your real estate licensing application and after your background check the BC Financial Services Authority issues a temporary license, then your managing broker will structure a practical training program for you, which is the SECOND PHASE of the “Residential/Commercial Real Estate Trading Applied Course” (mentioned in step 3). 
You will complete this SECOND PHASE of the “Residential or Commercial Real Estate Trading Applied Course” with the help of your managing broker within 4½ to 6 months.
You may, however, still trade properties, but it has to be under the supervision of your managing broker — this is for your own benefit; same as when you get your (L) and (N) before getting your driver’s license.

What costs should you anticipate?

The breakdown of most of the fees are posted in "Details of Step 4 and Anticipated Initial Cost" in the “licensing process” page.

Spending a few minutes of your life to gain valuable knowledge is well worth it especially when it comes to helping you make crucial decisions about your future real estate career.

The details on each of the mentioned steps are posted separately through additional articles in our “licensing process” page.