How do I become licensed as a Managing Broker?

It is a requirement of the Real Estate Services Act that every brokerage (including sole proprietorships) have a managing broker in place at all times.  The managing broker provides a “second look” at the work of all licensees in the brokerage and is a “built-in” information and advice resource for licensees and members of the public. A managing broker’s responsibilities apply to all activities of the brokerage that require licensing under the Act.  In this regard, the managing broker must be in active charge of the business of the brokerage and must ensure that there is an adequate level of supervision of the licensees engaged by the brokerage. 

Broker licensing is an advanced, higher level of licensing than the entry level representative licence.  Individuals may wish to become licensed at the broker level as either an Associate broker or a Managing broker.  To do so an individual must successfully complete the Broker's Licensing Course and Examination. 

In order to register for the Broker’s Licensing Course, licensees must have not less than six months’ licensed experience in British Columbia.  In addition, an individual must be licensed as a representative for two years in the five years preceding application for licensing at the broker level. 

Individuals may be licensed at the broker level for a single service licence category or a combination of service categories (e.g.: trading and/or rental and/or strata management services).  When upgrading to the broker level, an individual will continue to be licensed in the same categories that they were licensed for as a representative. Should an individual wish to add service categories to their licence, the appropriate Supplemental Course(s) must be completed.

Step 1

• Qualify for licensing as a broker by taking the Broker’s Licensing Course offered through the Real Estate Division at the University of British Columbia.  It is a self-paced correspondence course comprised of 15 assignments (some multiple choice and some short answer). There is a 3-hour written (short paragraph answer) final exam. Students have one year from the date of registration to complete the course however, on average, most individuals complete it within six months based on completing one assignment a week usually spending 10 – 12 hours per assignment.

• For more information and online course registration, please visit the UBC Real Estate Division's Broker's Licensing Course webpage.

• If you feel that you have previous education or experience that would exempt you from either the Broker's Course or Examination, please review the Council's Education Exemption Guidelines.

Step 2

• After successful completion of the Broker’s Licensing Course and Examination, you must apply to change your licence status to Associate or Managing Broker with the Real Estate Council of British Columbia. 

• Click on this link for the Application for Representative, Associate or Managing Broker Licence to upgrade your licence.

Step 3 (Optional)

• Complete the appropriate Supplemental Course and Examination through the Real Estate Division at UBC to add service categories (e.g.: trading and/or rental and/or strata management services).

Budget

Making a commitment to becoming an Associate or Managing Broker also includes the following financial considerations. 

• Broker’s Licensing Course - $875

• Supplemental Course (if required) - $590

• Licensing fee - $1200 (or $125 for licence status upgrade if licence status is changed during licensing period)

• Related business expenses, i.e. computer, cell phone, PDA, internet access, etc.