Becoming a real estate agent

If you want to become a registered salesperson or broker, you must meet all of the requirements for registration under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA). 

You must be a least 18 years of age to apply.

When assessing suitability for registration, RECO considers whether:

• the applicant can reasonably be expected to be financially responsible in the conduct of business;
• the applicant will carry on business in accordance with law and with integrity and honesty; 
• the applicant has made any false statement in an application for registration;
• the applicant has carried on or is carrying on activities that are, or will be, if the applicant is registered, in contravention of the legislation;
• the applicant is in breach of a condition of the registration;
• the applicant meets all requirements for registration;
• the applicant has complied with any request for information made by the registrar; and
• granting the registration would be contrary to the public interest.

If you are concerned your past conduct might prevent you from becoming registered (for example, a criminal record, charges, or discipline history with another regulatory body), you can read the Registration Policy: Applicant/Registrant Criminal History to help you self-assess your eligibility.

RECO’s education programs ensure Ontario’s real estate professionals have the required knowledge, skills and competencies to help buyers and sellers navigate a real estate transaction. In Ontario, real estate professionals must follow a defined learning path to become registered and to maintain registration.

The Real Estate Salesperson Program, delivered by Humber Polytechnic, is your first step towards becoming a real estate professional in Ontario.

The Pre-Registration Phase of the program is comprised of 5 courses, 4 exams and 2 simulation sessions which must be completed sequentially. You will have a maximum of 24 months to complete pre-registration. This includes up to 21 weeks per course for your first four courses and 4 weeks to complete course 5.

You must apply for registration with RECO within one year of completing the Pre-Registration Phase.

In order to be registered in Ontario, you must be employed by a real estate brokerage. Each brokerage is unique, so you should ask each of them what makes them different from the others. A phone call or email to brokerages might be a good first step in approaching them.

Contact several real estate brokerages to find one with a compensation structure and environment that is the best fit for you. You may also want to ask about training and other professional development the brokerage provides for its agents.

When you apply for registration, you must provide the name of the brokerage you will work for. Remember, you cannot trade in real estate unless you are registered and employed by a real estate brokerage.

Updated April 1, 2025

One of the key elements of consumer protection is to verify any criminal record history that agents and applicants may have. As such, RECO relies on Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Checks (CRJMCs), also known as a level 2 check, to assess an individual’s suitability for registration, under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA).

Effective June 1, 2025, RECO has partnered with Triton Canada (Triton) to provide exclusive record check services for individuals required by RECO to provide a current CRJMC. This online process is cost effective and efficient.

In order to provide the appropriate level of consumer protection, the following individuals are required to provide a current CRJMC through Triton, in support of their application, business registration, or as requested by the Registrar:

• New salesperson applicants.
• Applicants for broker registration who have pending charges and/or a criminal history.
• Registrants applying to renew their registration who have pending charges and/or a criminal history.
• Registrants applying to renew their registration that were first registered prior to January 1, 2010* and have not previously provided a CRJMC.
• Applicants who are former registrants, if the applicant’s registration has been terminated in excess of sixty (60) days.
• Newly appointed officers, directors and individuals holding 10% or more shares of a real estate brokerage.
• Newly appointed brokers of record (for all ownership types, including partnership and sole proprietorship) and branch managers.
• Any registrant, when deemed necessary by RECO, upon request.

How to obtain a CRJMC (effective June 1, 2025)

• Triton is the exclusive provider for CRJMCs required by RECO.
• Individuals required to provide a CRJMC as a requirement of their registration or renewal of an existing registration will be directed to the Triton online platform through RECO’s MyWeb dashboard as part of the RECO application process.
• If a CRJMC is required as a condition of a registration renewal, individuals may access the online platform starting sixty (60) days in advance of their registration expiry date. Please ensure that ample time is given to complete the process so as not to jeopardize the ability to trade in real estate.

The CRJMC results will be provided to the individual and RECO via email for a seamless process. Once the CRJMC results are received individuals can access and complete the appropriate RECO application through their MyWeb dashboard.

For additional information, or to self-assess suitability for registration, read the Registration Policy: Applicant/Registrant Criminal History.

*As part of their next registration renewal process.

After successfully completing the Pre-Registration Phase of the Real Estate Salesperson Program, finding a brokerage to work for, and obtaining your CRJMC, you can apply for registration with RECO.

You cannot start trading in real estate until your application is approved, you have purchased in the insurance coverage (see Step 6), and you are registered with RECO.

You must complete the application for new salesperson registration in MyWeb. MyWeb is RECO’s online portal that is available to all applicants. It’s free to sign up and it’s easy to use.

All real estate salespersons and brokers in Ontario must participate in RECO’s professional liability insurance program. It provides essential protection for you and your clients through its errors and omissions insurance, consumer deposit insurance and commission protection insurance.

Insurance coverage must be purchased when you apply and is renewed on an annual basis once you are registered. Insurance renewal payments are normally due on or about August 15 of each year. What you are required to pay when you apply is the pro-rated portion of the annual premium. The policy period runs from September 1 to August 31 of each year.

You will be notified by email once your application for registration has been reviewed by RECO. You will make the required payment for your insurance coverage through MyWeb.