Becoming Licensed to Sell Real Estate in New Brunswick

Licences are issued by the NB Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs in accordance with the NB Real Estate Agents Act upon recommendation from NBREA.

Three different classes of licence are available: an Agent's licence, a Manager's licence and a Salesperson's licence. All licences require that the applicant attend a prescribed pre-licensing course offered by NBREA and successfully complete an examination at the end of the course.

The salesperson's licence is the entry level licence. Applicants for a Manager's licence or an Agent's licence must have a minimum of two years experience as a salesperson before they can attend the Agent/Manger's pre-licensing course and complete the accompanying examination. Alternatively, an individual who has not held a salesperson's licence but has acquired experience in the real estate industry through some other means may apply to Department of Justice for a waiver of the experience requirement. If a waiver is granted the individual may then enroll in the appropriate education program in preparation of writing the examination and obtaining an agent or manager's licence.

To obtain a Salesperson's licence in New Brunswick, you must:

• Be at least 19 years of age;
• Be a citizen of Canada or have the status of a permanent resident of Canada
• Complete the mandatory Pre Licensing Course and pass the prescribed exam. Once you have successfully completed the exam you will have up to six months to obtain membership in NBREA. and apply for a licence
• Be hired by an agent (real estate firm), In NB you cannot hold a salesperson's licence by yourself - you must be affiliated with an Agent who is your employer
• Forward a completed NBREA membership application form to the Association and pay all applicable fees
• Obtain mandatory Errors and Omissions insurance from NBREA. Click here to learn more about mandatory E&O Insurance
• Agree to abide by all NBREA rules and regulations and the NBREA By-Law
• Be recommended for licensing to the Consumer Affairs Branch of Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs by NBREA
• Submit a licensing application and pay the applicable licensing fee to Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs
• Submit to the jurisdiction of the New Brunswick courts and provide an address for legal service in the province

Suitability for Licensing

The Real Estate Agent's Act provides for all applicants to be assessed for suitability prior to a license being granted. Having a criminal record or having filed for bankruptcy, for instance, do not immediately disqualify the applicant but the Minister may determine, after investigation that the person is not suitable. If you have any concerns about your suitability for licensing you should contact the Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs at 506-453-2322 to confirm that you qualify for a license prior to attending the appropriate licensing course.

Membership in the New Brunswick Real Estate Association

You must be a member in good standing of the New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA) before you apply for a real estate licence. NBREA members must also obtain membership in the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Annual membership dues and initiation fees apply to both memberships and must be fully paid before the prescribed deadlines. Information about the national association is available here.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

New Brunswick has joined the other Atlantic Provinces and Manitoba as members of the Real Estate Insurance Alliance (REIA) and all members of NBREA must purchase REIA Errors and Omissions insurance as a condition of licensing. Members who fail to obtain this insurance before the prescribed deadlines will have their membership and license suspended.

Members who leave the industry after paying their E&O insurance premium cannot have their premium returned because the insurer might be later called upon to pay a claim that originated prior to their leaving. In addition to the annual premium all new members will be required to pay a one-time initiation fee. This fee is currently set at $100.00.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Licensing Courses

The Salesperson's Pre-licensing Course is designed to introduce the new salesperson to the real estate industry and prepare them to write the qualification exam. The course includes 65 hours of classroom instruction and requires that registrants complete several hours of preparatory readings. The course is offered in both French and English in several areas of the province throughout the year. Classes are held either during the week or on weekends. To facilitate the participation of potential members who currently hold full-time jobs, weekend courses are offered over four weekends but only two of those weekends include a Friday. Classes are held only on Saturday and Sunday for the other two weekends.

Current tuition for attendance at the Salesperson's pre-licensing course fee is $2,400 plus HST, payable to the New Brunswick Real Estate Association. The fee is non-refundable after the application deadline date and full payment must be received to reserve your seat. This fee includes all course materials and the administration and correction of the exam at the end of the course.

At the end of the Pre Licensing Course you will be required to write an exam. The pass mark for the exam is 75%. Anyone who fails the exam may re-write once, within six (6) months, at a charge of $75.00 plus HST.

Course Materials

Course materials are the intellectual property of NBREA which updates course material on a regular basis. Course materials cannot be returned to NBREA for refund and cannot be resold to prospective students. This is to ensure version control and consistency in meeting regulatory requirements.

Should you have further questions on these requirements, please contact the NBREA Education department at
(506) 459-8055 or education@nbrea.ca.