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Interested in getting a real estate licence? Checklist of Steps (2023)


Interested in pursuing a career switch to real estate sales?


Getting your licence might be the first biggest hurdle, as it requires lots of dedication and persistence to get through the training sessions and pass the RES exams.


It's no joke as anecdotal data puts the passing rate currently around 5-6 out of 10. That means easily a 40-50% failure rate.


If that doesn't scare you, let's jump right into what you need to get started!



how to get a real estate license era
A real estate career can be your ticket to financial freedom


How much does it cost to get a property agent licence?


Before you attain your licence and ID tag as a real estate agent, these are the costs you will need to prepare for:


1. Real Estate Salesperson (RES) course:

  • RES course costs generally fall in the $650-800 range at different providers

  • NTUC members under 40 can receive a $250 UTAP subsidy for RES exams

  • NTUC members 40 and above can receive up to $500 in funding support for the course and exams

  • Singaporeans and Permanent Residents 25 and older can use their SkillsFuture credit of up to $500 for the course and exams

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ENQUIRY ON UTAP MATTERS Website: http://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg



2. RES Exams:


$417.30 (inclusive GST) for 2 papers.

$235.40 (inclusive GST) per paper for re-takers.


After passing the exams, you would normally need to pay to register with a licensed estate agency.


Costs are:


Real Estate Agent Registration Fee: $53.50 + $230 annual CEA fees = $283.50


Professional Indemnity Insurance: $120 - $150


Agency levied admin fees for name cards/ID Tag/Start Up Course/Admin fees: $300-500 range.


What is the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) Course about?


In 2010, the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) implemented a requirement that all real estate agents must complete the RES Course from an approved course provider. This course covers the rules, regulations, and practices related to property agency work in Singapore, as well as the laws and guidelines for the buying, selling, and renting of HDB flats, private apartments and condominiums, commercial business spaces, and industrial properties. The RES Course covers a wide range of material, and even experienced agents may not be able to fully remember all of it.

To be eligible to take the RES Course and become a licensed real estate agent in Singapore, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 21 years old

  • Be a Singaporean or Permanent Resident

  • Have a minimum of 4 GCE 'O' level passes or equivalent (WPLN)

  • Meet the CEA's fit and proper criteria


Topics:

RES Course Exam Topics
RES Course Exam Topics


After completing the RES Course, you may register for the RES exam at CEA's appointed examination administrator, NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd, and must pass the 2 RES exam papers.

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Exams are usually held 3 times a year during Feb/March, June and October.

You would be wise to register at least 2 months in advance as registration closes 1-2 months prior.

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NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd (LHub)


Hotline: (Mon - Fri, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm): 6336 5482


Exam Eligibility Criteria:


Exam candidates will need to comply the following:


- Complete the RES course with a minimum 75% attendance record before they are eligible to receive the "Certificate of Completion for RES Course".


Exam Format:


2 papers each (2 ½ hours per paper)

Both Papers 1 & 2: - Section A: 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - 1 mark each - Section B: 15 MCQ with reference to 1 or 2 Case Studies – 2 marks each - Section C: 10 Fill in the Blank Short Answer Questions (SAQs) - 2 marks each


Exam Results Announcement:


  • The Exam Administrator will inform you of your exam results

  • RES course participants must pass the RES exam within 2 years of receiving their Certificate of Completion

  • If you are unable to pass any remaining papers within the 2-year timeframe, you will need to retake the full RES course and examination (both Papers 1 and 2)


When are the RES Examination results released?

- The RES Examination results will be released 4 – 6 weeks after the examinations.



Appeal of Exam Results


If you believe you should have passed the exams but were unsuccessful, you can submit an appeal to have your exam paper reviewed by NTUC LearningHub, the appointed examination administrator for CEA, within 5 business days of receiving your exam results.


There is a non-refundable fee of $64.20 (including GST) for the review of each exam paper.


Important Note for Aspiring Property Agents and Foreigners:


Completing the RES Course and passing the RES Exam does not guarantee that you will be able to register as a real estate agent. In order to be fully registered, you must also meet the fit and proper criteria and other requirements outlined in the Estate Agents Act. It is important to review the complete list of registration criteria on CEA's website before enrolling in the RES Course.

Foreigners who wish to register with CEA as salespersons must have a valid Employment Pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). They should consult with an estate agency that is willing to support their future registration application, which will then be reviewed by CEA. When registering for the RES Course, these individuals must provide a letter of sponsorship from the real estate agency.


Watch the video above to find out more about NAVIS!

 

List of Recommended CEA Approved Course Providers for the RES Course 2023


There are many training centres and in case you are wondering which RES course provider to go for, this list will be helpful as I have heard good reviews from the new property agents who have joined us.

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If you stay near to central areas, Hastor Property (Highly recommended for high passing rates) and Real Centre Network are the best choices!

​

If you stay in the west, head to Pioneer Training & Consultancy.

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If you are an East sider, head to Singapore Estate Agents Association.

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Details here:


Hastor Property Services (RES trainers Daryl Ou and Celeste Ng are renown for their ability to anticipate exam questions pretty accurately)


Tel: 62522802

Venue: 190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #02-514, Toa Payoh Central,

Singapore 310190

(Located above KFC, please use the stairs beside KFC and go up to Level 2)

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Institute of Estate Agents 

Website: www.iea.sg

Tel No: 6323 1770

Venue: 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #07-01 HDB Hub East Wing Singapore 310480

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Pioneer Training & Consultancy Pte Ltd 

Tel No: 6462 6093 / 9424 3483

Venue: Blk 134 Jurong Gateway Road #03-309P Singapore 600134

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Real Centre Network Pte Ltd 

Tel No: 6511 3009

Venue: 490 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #09-16 HDB Hub Biz 3 Singapore 310490 

*Update: RCN now has branches in Tampines and Jurong too.


Singapore Estate Agents Association

Website: www.seaa.org.sg

Tel No: 6702 1602 Email: edu@seaa.org.sg

Venue: 60 Paya Lebar Road #13-23 Paya Lebar Square Singapore 409051 (Office Lift Lobby 1) 

Different real estate schools offer RES courses with varying schedules to accommodate the needs of busy working adults or parents. These schedules may include weekend-only courses, Saturday-only courses, specific weekday nights, or express classes.


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What should I do after passing my RES exams?


Congratulations if you managed to pass your exams! It was no mean feat!


By now you might have done your research on which agency to join.


Otherwise, the top 4 real estate agencies at the moment are Huttons, OrangeTee & Tie, ERA and Propnex.


If you are still searching for an agency, read this article to find out which real estate agency you should join after passing your exams.


Finally, this is what you need to do:


Submitting a Salesperson Registration


To begin the process of becoming a real estate salesperson, you should obtain an application form from your real estate agency and submit it to CEA for "In-Principle Approval" (IPA).

Approval of CEA Registration


Within 4-6 weeks, you should receive a notification of CEA's approval.


Congratulations! CEA has confirmed your registration with your estate agency. You are ready to start on an exciting and rewarding real estate career!

 

Like, comment below and share this with your friends who are considering a career in real estate sales!


Looking for great real estate career mentorship to shorten your learning curve?


Get a free 30 min new agent career consultation with Stuart and his team leaders. Schedule one here right now.


Drop me a WhatsApp if you would like to start your career with our team or attend our next Career Seminar!

 

Stuart Chng, Executive Group District Director at Huttons, is a renowned leader and personality in the real estate industry.


He adores music and can play a few instruments decently without upsetting his neighbours. When not doing so, he enjoys pillow fighting with his son and coming up with silly puns which barely amuses his wife.


Professionally, he is a licensed real estate agent, investor, team leader, speaker and columnist for several property newsletters and blogs and is often quoted in media interviews on 938FM, Channel 8, PropertyReport, PropertyGuru and other publications.


Throughout his career, he has helped many clients grow their wealth through selecting great property investments and managing their portfolios actively. Read his clients' reviews here.


Stuart has also coached many top million dollar producing agents from different real estate agencies in Singapore. Read his agents' reviews here.


- Enjoy 100% RES joining fee subsidies for brand new agents. Limited slots available.

 

P.P.S. Passed your RES Exams? Find out what steps to take next to quickly reach your goals!


P.P.P.S. Find out which real estate agency to join after passing your exams!


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