How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Singapore
Singapore is an increasingly popular destination for those seeking to purchase real estate. With a booming economy and a vibrant property market, there are plenty of opportunities for those looking to become a real estate agent. If you are considering a career in real estate, here is what you need to know about becoming a real estate agent in Singapore.
Requirements to Become a Real Estate Agent in Singapore
The first step to becoming a real estate agent in Singapore is to obtain a license from the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA). To obtain a license, applicants must be at least 21 years old, have Singapore citizenship or permanent residency, and must pass a qualifying exam. Applicants must also agree to abide by the CEA Code of Ethics and Professional Client Care, as well as the Estate Agents Act.
One of the regulation requirements for salespeople is that new applicants have a minimum of four GCE O-level passes or the equivalent. The combined GCE O-level scores from no more than two sittings are accepted by CEA.
Candidates may email their academic certificates, academic transcripts, and any other supporting documents to CEA at licensing@cea.gov.sg along with the completed Educational Qualification Assessment form if they wish to submit their qualifications (such as overseas qualifications or private diplomas) for assessment to see if they meet the educational qualification requirement.
When submitting their application, candidates are required to provide all supporting documentation. As a type of verification proof, CEA does not recognise education diplomas that have been attested by a notary public. Candidates lacking original copies of their diplomas must present a letter from the university or institution that issued them confirming their award or a duplicate copy. If candidates do not have the original copies of their certificates, they must submit verification proof from the China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Information (CDGDC) or the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHSI) for bachelors and higher level qualifications from China. The results of the qualifying evaluation will be sent to the candidate by CEA.
For the purposes of registering for RES courses, RES examinations, and registration as a salesperson, qualifications determined to be acceptable in lieu of 4 GCE O-level passes are valid for a period of three years from the day CEA notifies the applicant of the acceptance. Once the three years have passed, a new application must be filed to CEA for qualification assessment.
The minimum qualification standard of four GCE O-level passes will be reached by applicants who have achieved Level 5 or above on the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) assessment in these five components (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Numeracy). Visit the British Council to learn more about the WPLN Assessment and to register.
In addition to the CEA license, you will need to complete a real estate course approved by the CEA and pass the CEA Exam.
Apply for Real Estate Salesperson (RES) Course
The CEA offers a range of courses for aspiring real estate agents. The most popular course is the Real Estate Salesperson Course which covers topics such as the CEA Code of Ethics and Professional Client Care, the Real Estate Act, and general real estate knowledge. The course also includes a final exam, which must be passed in order to receive certification.
When assessing eligibility to take the RES exam, the Certificate of RES Course Completion has a 2-year validity period. Within two years after the RES Course’s completion date, individuals who have successfully completed the course are eligible to sit for the RES exam. Please be aware that the validity of the course certificate will not be extended beyond two years, and appeals for extension will not be considered.
List of CEA Approved Course Providers for the RES Course
- Benchmark Realpro Pte LtdContact Details:
Website: www.benchmarkrealpro.com
Tel No: 6735 5860 / 6735 5861
Email: benchmarkrealpro@gmail.com
Office: 151 Chin Swee Road #03-31 Manhattan House Singapore 169876 - Hastor Property Services Pte LtdContact Details:
Website: www.hastor.com.sg
Tel No: 8856 9000/ 8856 1000
Email: training@hastor.sg
Office: 3 Bishan Place #06-01 CPF Building Singapore 579838 - Institute of Estate Agents, SingaporeContact Details:
Website: www.iea.sg
Tel No: 6323 1770
Email: courses@iea.sg
Office: 6 Raffles Boulevard Marina Square @ JustCo #03-308 Singapore 039594 - Life Mastery Academy Pte LtdContact Details:
Website: www.lma.com.sg
Tel No: 6255 6091 / 6255 6083
Email: RES@lifemasteryacademy.com
Office: Blk 190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #02-510 Singapore 310190 - Pioneer Training & Consultancy Pte LtdContact Details:
Website: www.pioneertraining.org
Tel No: 6462 6093 / 9424 3483
Email: pioneertc@gmail.com
Office: Blk 134 Jurong Gateway Road #03-309P Singapore 600134 - Real Centre Network Pte LtdContact Details:
Website: www.realcentrenetwork.com
Tel No: 6511 3009
Email: info@realcentrenetwork.com
Office: 490 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #09-16 HDB Hub Biz 3 Singapore 310490 - Realty International Associates Pte LtdContact Details:
Website: www.riaschool.com.sg
Tel No: 6339 6000
Email: admin@riaschool.com.sg
Office: 490 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #03-13 HDB Hub Biz 3 Singapore 310490 - Singapore Estate Agents AssociationContact Details:
Website: www.seaa.org.sg
Tel No: 6702 1602
Email: edu@seaa.org.sg
Office: 60 Paya Lebar Road #13-23 Paya Lebar Square Singapore 409051 (via Office Lift Lobby 1)
Apply for the Real Estate Salesperson Examination
For new entrants who want to work as salespeople in the real estate agency sector, the RES exam is the entry-level exam. The requirement to pass the required industry examination is one of the requirements for salesperson registration. This is done to make sure that newcomers to the real estate agency profession have a basic understanding of the real estate agency sector and subjects relating to real estate.
All examination-related inquiries, such as registration, deferment, results, eligibility concerns, and appeals, will be handled and managed by NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd (NTUC LearningHub), which will also respond to applicants and candidates.
Register with a Real Estate Agency
In order to become a real estate agent in Singapore, you will need to register with a real estate agency after you pass the CEA Exam. This is typically done through an experienced agent, which will recruit you into the agency and mentor and guide you through your real estate career.
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Marketing Yourself as a Real Estate Agent
Once you have obtained your license and completed the necessary prerequisites, you will need to market yourself as a real estate agent. This can be done through a variety of methods, including creating a website, setting up a Facebook page, joining real estate forums, and attending real estate events. Therefore, choosing the right real estate agency is very important as you will want to leverage on technology to supercharge your career.
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Conclusion
Becoming a real estate agent in Singapore is a great way to make a living and to be a part of a vibrant and growing industry. By following the steps outlined above, you can be on your way to becoming a successful real estate agent in Singapore. With the right training and dedication, you can be a successful real estate agent in no time.