Becoming a real estate broker

The real estate broker program equips current RECO agents with the knowledge to own, manage, or operate a real estate brokerage in Ontario.

The curriculum prepares learners to oversee brokerage operations, with a focus on key areas such as brokerage setup, broker-of-record responsibilities, business management, and compliance with relevant legislation.

RECO offers the program through following providers:

Program benefits

The program offers several advantages to support the agent's professional growth: 

• Flexible learning: Agents who have completed the mandatory post-registration program can begin the broker program at any time and progress at their own pace, accommodating their personal and professional commitments. 
• Expert-designed curriculum: Courses are developed by experienced real estate professionals, ensuring the content is practical and industry-relevant, focussed on the business of being a broker. 
• Comprehensive structure: The program includes eLearning courses, a final theory examination, and a simulation-based Wrap-Up Session, providing a robust learning experience. 
• Practical application: The Wrap-Up Session offers hands-on experience through real-life scenarios, allowing them to practice broker activities under the guidance of expert coaches.

Eligibility

This program is open to registered real estate agents who have completed the pre-registration program and post-registration programs from RECO’s designated education providers, (or the now-defunct Salesperson Registration Education Program offered by OREA Real Estate College up to 2021). 

Course fees

Please refer to the educational provider’s website to confirm applicable program fees.

Program structure and exams

The real estate broker program comprises of four core components: 

Step 1: Qualifying Exam 
To begin the program, learners must pass the Qualifying Exam, which assesses core knowledge of real estate trading in Ontario. The exam is three hours in length. 

Step 2: eLearning Courses 
After passing the qualifying exam, learners progress through the following components: 

• Course 1: Planning and Start-up 
• Course 2: Business Management 
• Course 3: Human Resources 
• Course 4: Ongoing Oversight 

Step 3: A two-day interactive wrap-up session, Bringing It All Together, provides practical insights and integration of the course content. 

Step 4: After completing the courses and wrap-up session, learners take the final broker exam, to qualify to apply to RECO for registration as a broker. 

Program timeline

The real estate broker program must be completed within 12 months, which is the maximum time allowed. Estimated times for each component include: 

Qualifying Exam: 3 hours 

Course Work: Hours are approximate as every learner progresses at their own speed.

• Planning and start-up: 10 hours 
• Business management: 10 hours 
• Human resources: 10 hours 
• Ongoing oversight: 12 hours

Wrap-Up Session: 14 hours over two days 

Theory Exam: 3 hours 

Important note for past OREA Real Estate College students 

To qualify to enrol in the real estate broker program, the agent who completed their pre-registration education at the OREA Real Estate College must have completed courses in both real estate law and commercial transactions.

If they completed the required courses, their OREA student record would reflect passing grades for the following courses: 

Real Property Law and one of the following commercial courses: 

• The Commercial Real Estate Transaction 
• Phase 3 Commercial 
• Phase 3 ICI

If an individual has not completed the required courses, they must complete the equivalent course requirements through one of RECO’s current designated education providers:

To verify the applicable course history, a registrant can contact OREA at 1-866-411-6732 or www.orea.com.