Licensing Process

Step-by-Step Licensing Process Guide

Getting your real estate license in BC takes dedication, focus, and preparation - but with the right guidance, the process becomes much clearer and more manageable.

By Meran (Founder & Head Instructor) - Last reviewed April 16, 2026

The Licensing Process

Watch our licensing process walkthrough or read the step-by-step guide below.

Licensing Process

Watch the Process Explained

A step-by-step guide to getting your real estate license in British Columbia.

Outlining everything from registration to getting licensed with an estimated framework of the timeline and cost.

9

Minutes

5

Steps

100%

Free

Detailed Walkthrough

Watch our licensing process walkthrough or read the step-by-step guide below.

01

Meet the Basic Requirements

Confirm you meet BC's basic requirements before enrolling in coursework.

Age

You must be at least 19 years old.

Background

A satisfactory personal and financial history is required. Contact BCFSA if you are unsure whether your background qualifies.

English

You need a degree from an accredited English-speaking institution, or a minimum score of 7/12 on the CELPIP-General test.

02

Register for the Real Estate Licensing Course

Register for the Real Estate Trading Services Course through the UBC Sauder School of Business.

Textbook

A free digital PDF is available from your student account.

Calculator

You will need an HP 10BII+ Financial Calculator for math sections and the exam.

03

Complete the Coursework

Work through video lessons, readings, and required assignments (around 400 questions).

Deadline

All assignments must be completed within one year of enrollment.

Pacing

A maximum of two assignments per week is allowed, so consistency matters.

04

Pass the Licensing Exam

This is often the hardest step and where focused prep matters most.

Format

100 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours.

Passing Score

70% is required to pass.

Attempts

You get two attempts within two years of completing the 20 coursework assignments.

This is where Excel Online makes the biggest difference with structured lessons, mock exams, and test strategy.

05

Complete the Applied Practice Course

Bridge theory and practice through two phases of supervised work.

Phase 1

About two weeks of online study plus a two-day live Zoom session. Then you choose a brokerage and apply for your temporary license.

Phase 2

Complete one purchase and one sale transaction under brokerage supervision.

Full License

After both transactions are complete, you can receive your full BC Real Estate License, officially becoming a licensed real estate agent in British Columbia!.

TIP: Start exploring brokerages early while taking the UBC course to find a strong fit.

UBC Real Estate Exam

What you need to know about the UBC Real Estate Exam.

What is the Exam?

  • It's the final exam required to get licensed in BC.
  • Multiple-choice format.
  • Drawn from a large question bank.
  • Tests understanding, not memorization.

Why students fail the UBC real estate exam?

  • Confusing wording.
  • Overwhelming textbook material.
  • Poor exam strategy.
  • Lack of real understanding.

How to pass the UBC real estate exam in BC

  • Structured lessons.
  • Mock exam training.
  • Strategy + understanding.
  • Repetition support.

Estimated Timeline

Most students finish in 3-4 months with consistent weekly progress.

Course registration

3-4 days

Assignment completion

~10 weeks

Exam prep tutoring

3-6 weeks

Mock exam practice

2-3 weeks

Exam scheduling

1-2 weeks

Applied Practice Course

2-3 weeks

Brokerage/licensing

~3 weeks

3 - 4 months

estimated total · some students take up to a year at a slower, self-study pace.

Cost Snapshot

Typical estimated licensing costs and board fees in British Columbia - fees are subject to change.

Licensing Fees

CELPIP-General English Exam

$280

UBC Real Estate Course

$1,450

Financial Calculator

$10-$100

Exam Fee (per attempt)

$200

Applied Practice Course

$920

Licensing Fee (first 2 years)

$1,700

Board Fees (to become Realtor®)

Local Real Estate Board

$105

BC Real Estate Association

$945

Canadian Real Estate Association

$210

Other Expenses

Other expenses you may incur during your real estate career - fees are subject to change.

Other expenses to expect

Exam Prep Tutoring (Highly Recommended)

~$1300

Brokerage New Agent Fee

Up to $300

Brokerage Desk Fees

~$800/mon

Brokerage Commission Split

~80%/20%

Per-transaction Fee

$200-$400

Website, Business Cards, etc.

Varies

BCFSA/Board Courses

~$750/2 yrs

~$8,500

estimated total costs · includes licensing fees, board fees, and other expenses.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This course prepares you for the UBC Sauder School of Business Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Exam, which is required to become a licensed real estate agent in British Columbia, Canada.

You get 6 months of full access to all video content and study materials from the date of purchase. This gives you plenty of time to work through the material at your own pace.

We offer a pass-or-repeat-free guarantee. If you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, you can repeat the course at no additional cost. We're that confident in our program.

Self-Paced is ideal if you want flexibility and prefer to study on your own schedule. Live Online + Self-Paced adds interactive Zoom sessions, giving you the ability to ask questions and stay accountable. In-Person + Self-Paced is our most hands-on option, featuring face-to-face instruction in Vancouver with small groups of just 5 to 6 students for maximum support and focus.

You must be at least 19 years old, be of good character (i.e. not criminal record), meet the BC Financial Services Authority English language requirement, and register for the UBC Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course. Our course is designed to take you from zero knowledge to exam-ready.

Excel Online is backed by Excel Realty Academy, which has helped thousands of students pass since 2010 with a 5.0-star rating from 360+ reviews. We offer simplified study materials in plain language, small class sizes, and a pass-or-repeat-free guarantee that our competitors don't match.

Live Zoom classes are conducted in real-time to allow for interactive Q&A and personalized attention. While live sessions are the primary format, speak with our team about accessing supplementary recordings.

Yes, you will need an HP 10BII+ calculator for the UBC Real Estate Exam. You can purchase the calculator or download the HP 10BII app from your app store. When booking your exam, you may request a tablet with the HP 10BII app provided at the exam centre instead of using your own device, as personal electronic devices are not allowed in the exam room. Becoming comfortable with this calculator is important for the math portion of the exam.

Yes, many new REALTORS® start by balancing real estate with their current job. As they build a client base and real estate income, many eventually transition fully into the profession.

Yes, many students come to us after an unsuccessful attempt and benefit from clearer explanations, structured preparation, and more focused exam guidance.

Payments can be made by cash, e-transfer, or PayPal, tuition fees are fully payable upon registration, and to secure your seat, register at least two weeks before classes begin.

Please see our Terms and Guarantees page for our full refund policy.

We understand that emergencies and scheduling conflicts can happen, if you miss a class, we will do our best to help you make up the missed material at no extra cost. For full details, see our Terms and Guarantees page or contact us directly.

Start by clicking “Enroll Now” at the top of the page. Choose the option that fits you, and you will get immediate access to the course.

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Sign up for a free trial class to see if we are the right fit for you. Or join thousands of successful BC real estate agents who passed their licensing exam with our help. Your future in real estate starts here.

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