Property Agent Licence Singapore

How to get your property agent licence in Singapore​​

The requirements, the steps, the costs, and the new rules from 2027, all in one place.

Many people call it a property agent licence or a real estate licence. Officially, in Singapore, the agency holds the licence, and each property agent is registered with CEA, the Council for Estate Agencies, through one licensed agency.

So "getting your licence" means passing the RES exam and getting registered with CEA through an agency like ERA.

Who can be registered as a property agent?

To be registered with CEA, you must:

1. Be at least 21 years old.

2. Have at least 4 GCE 'O' level passes, or an equal qualification. If you don't, Level 5 or above in all five parts of the WPLN test is also accepted, or CEA can check your other qualifications.

3. Pass the RES (Real Estate Salesperson) exam.

4. Be registered with CEA through one licensed agency.

5. Not be a key executive officer of another agency.

6. Not hold a moneylender's licence, or work for a licensed moneylender.

7. Be covered by professional indemnity insurance.

8. Be up to date with your CPF MediSave contributions.

9. Be "fit and proper" under the Estate Agents Act.

At Donny Lee Advisory, we work with Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

What does "fit and proper" mean?

CEA will usually not register you if you:

• have been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or fraud,

• have been convicted of money laundering, proliferation financing or terrorism financing,

• have been convicted of an offence under the Estate Agents Act,

• are an undischarged bankrupt.

You must declare all past convictions when you apply. CEA looks at each case.

How to get your property agent licence: 5 steps

1. Take the RES course. Finish the course at a CEA-approved school. We recommend RIA School. Read: RES course Singapore

2. Pass the RES exam. Two papers, three times a year. You need 60 marks to pass each paper.

3. Choose your agency. You can only be registered with one agency at a time. Read: which property agency to join

4. Apply through your agency. You create a profile in CEA's system (ACEAS). Your agency starts the application, you complete it, and the agency submits it to CEA. CEA takes about 2 to 3 weeks if everything is in order.

5. Start work. Once CEA approves you, you appear on CEA's Public Register and can start.

How much does it cost?

CEA's fees for registering a property agent are:

• Application fee: $60

• Registration fee: $280 for a full year, or $140 if you start after 30 June

Your agency pays these fees to CEA. Ask your agency whether it passes them on to you.

You also pay for the RES course and the RES exam ($512.30 for both papers). See the RES course costs

Keeping your registration

Training every year (CPD). From 1 January 2026, every agent must complete at least 16 training hours each year to renew. New agents don't need CPD in their first year.

MediSave. You must stay up to date with your CPF MediSave contributions.

Renewal every 3 years from 2027. Your agency renews your registration with CEA. From 1 January 2027, a registration lasts three years. The first cycle is 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029.

New from 2027: close 3 deals every 3 years

From 1 January 2027, CEA has a new rule called the Currency Requirement. To renew, you must either:

• complete at least 3 property transactions in each 3-year cycle, or

• pass a Refresher Exam.

If you are a new agent, you don't need any deal in your first year. You need at least 2 deals in the remaining two years, or pass the Refresher Exam.

Sales, purchases and rentals of HDB, private, commercial and industrial property count, as do foreign property sales and en bloc sales. CEA may give waivers in special cases, such as serious illness.

This is why your first deals matter, and why good coaching matters even more.

How Donny Lee Advisory helps you get started

• Free RES support group with revision papers and exam reminders.

• Free one-to-one coaching to help you close your first deals.

• Weekly Toolkit Training and the PG Success Road Map, so you know what to do each week.

• Help with your registration, from choosing ERA to your first day.

Questions people ask about the property agent licence

Is a property agent licence the same as a real estate licence?

Yes, people use both names. Officially, agencies are licensed and agents are registered with CEA through an agency.

How long does it take to get my licence?

It depends on your RES course and exam dates. The exam is held three times a year. After you pass and apply through your agency, CEA takes about 2 to 3 weeks.

Do I need to renew my registration every year?

Until the end of 2026, yes. From 1 January 2027, registration lasts three years, and your agency handles the renewal.

What happens if I don't close 3 deals in 3 years?

You can take CEA's Refresher Exam instead. CEA says every eligible agent will get a seat.

Can I be registered with two agencies?

No. You can only be registered with one agency at a time.

Book a free talk with Donny

Thinking about getting your licence? Fill in the form below and Donny will walk you through each step.