How to Get Your Ontario Real Estate License — and Start Your Career With Century 21
Thinking about becoming a licensed real estate agent in Ontario? Here is what the process actually looks like — the steps, the cost, the timeline — plus what it is like to start out with a local brokerage that trains new agents from day one.
The 5 Steps to Getting Licensed in Ontario
Every real estate license in Ontario is issued by the Ontario Financial Services Authority (RECO). Here is the path in plain language. Timelines and costs vary — the numbers below are placeholders you should verify with RECO before enrolling.
Meet the basic eligibility requirements
You need to be at least 18, a Grade 12 graduate (or equivalent), legally allowed to work in Canada, and able to meet the English language proficiency requirement before your first exam. A Certified Criminal Record Check (by fingerprint comparison) is required before you register with a brokerage.
Complete the pre-registration courses through Humber Polytechnic
Ontario's education is delivered by the Humber Polytechnic School of Business, Real Estate Division. To trade in residential real estate you complete two courses: Phase 1 — Real Estate as a Professional Career ($2,099) and Phase 2 — Residential Real Estate as a Professional Career ($1,199). Courses are self-paced online, so most people study around their current job. You have two years from your Phase 1 registration to finish both courses and their exams.
Pass the qualifying exam (70% to pass)
Each course ends with a 100-question, 3-hour multiple-choice qualifying exam. Passing grade is 70% and you have up to two attempts. If you do not pass on your first try, you must wait at least 90 days before rewriting, and you must complete the exam within two years of finishing your course assignments. Exams are written in person at the Humber Polytechnic Computerized Examination Centre in the Henry Angus building at UBC, running Monday to Friday at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm. Register through Humber Polytechnic at least one month before your chosen date.
Choose a brokerage to register with
In Ontario you cannot practice real estate on your own — your license has to be held by a registered brokerage. This is where the brokerage you choose actually starts to matter: training, mentorship, splits, and desk fees are all different from shop to shop.
Register with RECO and start selling
Your brokerage helps you submit your application, government photo ID, a photo for the online registration system, and your certified criminal record check to the Ontario Financial Services Authority (RECO). Registration fees are $730 if you apply July 1 – March 31, or $300 if you apply April 1 – June 30 (RECO's fiscal year ends June 30). Once you're registered, you can list, show, and sell residential property in Ontario.
Total typical cost to get licensed in residential real estate: about $4,118 (Phase 1 $2,099 + Phase 2 Residential $1,199 + criminal record check $90 + RECO registration $730). Fees are set by RECO and Humber Polytechnic and can change — always confirm current amounts at bcfsa.ca and realestate.ubc.ca/licensing/trading-services. Book a free 15-minute call and a Sault Ste. Marie broker will walk you through your specific timeline.
Is Real Estate Right for You?
Before you spend a dollar on courses, it is worth knowing what you are signing up for. Real estate is a great career for a lot of people — and a rough fit for others. Here is the honest version.
- You are self-employed. You set your own hours, but you are also responsible for your own schedule, taxes, and expenses.
- Your income is commission-based. There is no salary. You get paid when a deal closes, which means the first several months are typically a ramp-up period, not a payday.
- Nights and weekends are part of it. Buyers and sellers are usually free after work. Flexible does not mean less busy.
- The people who do well are consistent. Talking to people every day, following up, and showing up — week after week — matters more than any single skill.
If that sounds like something you could see yourself doing, the next section is for you. If not, we would rather you know that now than after you have paid for the courses.
Why Get Licensed With CENTURY 21 Choice Realty Sault Ste. Marie
Once you have decided real estate is the right career, the brokerage you start with shapes your first year more than anything else. Here is what you get with us.
Mentorship from day one
You are paired with an experienced Sault Ste. Marie agent who walks you through your first listings, showings, and offers — not left to figure it out alone.
Structured new-agent training
Weekly training covering contracts, prospecting, showings, and marketing — built specifically for agents in their first 12 months.
The CENTURY 21 brand and tools
You get the recognition of a global brand plus the CRM, marketing, and lead tools that come with it — day one, not months in.
Local Sault Ste. Marie market knowledge
Our team lives and sells here. You will learn the neighbourhoods, the pricing patterns, and the buyer types from people who work them every week.
Ontario Real Estate License FAQ
How long does it take to get licensed in Ontario?
Most people take 6–12 months from starting the pre-registration courses to being registered and able to sell. Full-time study is faster; part-time while working another job is typically longer. You have up to two years from your Phase 1 registration to finish both required courses and their exams.
How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Ontario?
The total to register in residential real estate is about $4,118: Phase 1 course $2,099, Phase 2 Residential course $1,199, certified criminal record check $90, and RECO registration $730 (or $300 if you apply April 1 – June 30). That doesn't include any brokerage-specific fees such as board or MLS membership, which vary by brokerage.
Do I need a university degree to become a realtor in Ontario?
No. You need to be a Grade 12 graduate (or equivalent) and complete the Humber Polytechnic pre-registration courses and their exams. A university degree is not required.
Can I get licensed part-time while I keep my current job?
Yes. The pre-licensing courses are typically self-paced online, so most people study around a full-time job. Once you are licensed, real estate itself is difficult to run truly part-time because clients expect responsiveness — but the training phase can absolutely fit around your existing schedule.
What does a new real estate agent actually earn in the first year?
Income varies widely because it is commission-based. There is no salary and no guarantee. Your first-year income depends on how many people you talk to, how consistent you are, and the support you get from your brokerage. We will not quote a number here — we would rather talk through realistic scenarios with you on a call.
Do I have to join a brokerage, or can I work independently?
In Ontario, every registrant must be registered under a brokerage under The Real Estate Act. You cannot hold your license independently. That's why choosing the right brokerage matters — it isn't optional.
What happens after I pass my exams and get licensed?
You register with your chosen brokerage, complete their onboarding, and start working with clients — usually beginning with your existing network and any leads or mentorship the brokerage provides. At CENTURY 21 Choice Realty Sault Ste. Marie, your first 90 days follow a structured plan so you are not staring at an empty calendar.
Is CENTURY 21 Choice Realty Sault Ste. Marie a good fit for brand-new agents?
Yes — a significant part of what we do is train new agents. If you are looking for a brokerage where you will be handed a desk and left alone, we are not that. If you want structured training, a mentor, and a team that answers the phone, book a 15-minute call and we will show you how it works.
Get Your Questions Answered in 15 Minutes
Not sure if real estate is the right move? Not sure where to start with the courses? That is exactly what this call is for. One of our team members will walk you through the process, the numbers, and whether the timing is right for you. No pressure, no pitch — just answers.
Prefer to read first? Grab the free "How to Get Licensed in Ontario" guide — we will email it to you.
Or call us directly: (705) 942-2100Book a Free 15-Min Call
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