RES Course Singapore

How to take the RES course in Singapore

How to take the RES course, pay less with SkillsFuture and UTAP, and get free help to pass.

To work as a property agent in Singapore, you must pass the RES (Real Estate Salesperson) exam. Before you can sit the exam, you must finish the RES course at a school approved by CEA, the Council for Estate Agencies.

This page shows you where to take the course, how to pay less, and how the exam works. When you are ready, join our free RES support group with the form at the bottom of this page. We help you all the way to the exam.

What is the RES course?

The RES course is the training you must finish before you can take the RES exam. Some people call it the real estate course or the property agent course.

You must attend at least 75% of the lessons.

When you finish, you get a Certificate of RES Course Completion.

The certificate is valid for two years. You must take the RES exam within those two years. If it runs out, you must take the whole course again.

Who can take the RES course?

You need to be at least 21 years old, and have at least 4 GCE 'O' level passes, or a qualification CEA accepts, such as a local diploma or degree.

If your certificate is from a private school (such as SIM, Kaplan or MDIS) or from overseas, send it to CEA for checking first. You can only sign up for the course after CEA approves it. This takes about 3 to 4 weeks.

To register as a property agent after you pass, you must also be a Singapore Citizen or PR (or hold a valid Employment Pass) and meet CEA's other rules.

Where to take the RES course: RIA School

We recommend the RES course at RIA School of Real Estate. It is a CEA-approved course provider, and it has run real estate courses since 1982.

Choose your timing: weekday day classes, evening classes (7pm to 10pm) and weekend classes. Some run in class at HDB Hub, Toa Payoh, and some run online on Zoom.

Free revision class before the exam, for RIA students.

Course notes included. RIA emails them to you before the course starts.

Missed a lesson? You can sit in on a lesson in another class to make it up.

SkillsFuture Credit and NTUC UTAP can both be used. See below.

See RIA School's RES course dates

How much does the RES course cost?

At RIA School, the RES course costs $788 to $850, including GST (October 2026). This does not include the RES exam fee.

You can pay less in two ways.

1. SkillsFuture Credit

RIA School's RES course is listed on MySkillsFuture (course code TGS-2015503146). Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above can use their SkillsFuture Credit to pay for it, up to $500.

2. NTUC UTAP

RIA School's RES course can be claimed under UTAP. NTUC members can claim back 50% of the fee they paid themselves, up to $250 a year. If you are 40 or older, the limit is $500 a year.

For UTAP, you must be an NTUC member before the course starts, with your membership fees fully paid. You must attend at least 75% of the course, and claim within 6 months after the course ends, on the NTUC website (E-services, then UTAP), with your receipt and certificate. You cannot claim UTAP if your company paid for the course.

Example: a Singapore Citizen aged 25 or above, who is an NTUC member

Course fee: $850

Less SkillsFuture Credit: -$500

You pay: $350

UTAP claims back half: -$175

Your final cost: $175

Your own amount depends on your SkillsFuture Credit balance and your NTUC membership. Fees and rules can change, so check with RIA School before you sign up.

After the course, you also pay for the RES exam ($512.30 for both papers), and later the CEA registration fees.

How to sign up with RIA School

1. Pick a class on RIA School's RES course page. Sign up early: classes close 3 working days before they start, or sooner if full.

2. Want to use UTAP? Join NTUC before the course starts.

3. Send RIA a copy of your 'O' level certificate (or diploma or degree).

4. Pay by NETS or card (no cash). To use SkillsFuture Credit, apply through MySkillsFuture.

5. Attend at least 75% of the lessons and get your certificate on the last day.

6. Claim UTAP on the NTUC website within 6 months.

The RES exam after your course

Two papers. Each paper is 2.5 hours long. Section A has 60 multiple-choice questions. Section B has 20 multiple-choice questions on one or two case studies. You need 60 marks to pass each paper.

Three times a year. In 2026, the exams were held in March, July, and October to November. CEA puts the dates on its website.

How to sign up. First, show your interest on GovEntry with your Singpass. Then register and pay on NTUC LearningHub's website. NTUC LearningHub runs the exam for CEA.

Exam fee. $512.30 (including GST) for both papers. If you already passed one paper, the other paper is $283.40.

Seats can run out. Exam seats are given out first come, first served, and CEA says not everyone who wants a seat will get one. Finish your course before the cut-off date, and sign up on the first day. Our group sends you a reminder.

The new RES syllabus from 1 January 2027

CEA has changed the RES exam syllabus for exams from 1 January 2027. The exam format and length stay the same.

New topics: professional practice, ethics and conduct; stopping money laundering and terrorism financing; and green buildings and leases. The topic on foreign worker housing has been removed.

Already took the course on the old syllabus? You do not need to take the course again, as long as you sit the exam within two years of finishing it. But exams from 2027 cover the new topics. You can take a bridging course or study on your own. A bridging course is not compulsory, and it does not make your certificate last longer.

Free RES exam support from Donny Lee Advisory

Studying alone is hard. That is why we run a free online RES support group. In the group, you get:

Free RES revision papers to practise with

Access to our division training

Reminders for important exam dates, so you don't miss a sign-up

Licensed agents who answer your questions

When you pass, Donny will meet you for a one-to-one talk about starting your career, if you want to.

Questions people ask about the RES course

Is the RES course the same as the real estate course?

Yes. The RES course, the real estate course and the property agent course all mean the same course. It prepares you for the RES exam.

Does NTUC run the RES course?

No. NTUC LearningHub runs the RES exam for CEA. The course is run by CEA-approved schools like RIA School. But if you are an NTUC member, you can claim UTAP for RIA School's RES course.

Can I use SkillsFuture for the RES course?

Yes. RIA School's RES course is on MySkillsFuture. Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above can use up to $500 of SkillsFuture Credit for it.

Can I take the RES course online?

Yes. RIA School runs some classes online on Zoom, including evening and weekend classes.

How long does the RES course take?

At RIA School, it takes about 2 to 5 weeks, depending on whether you choose weekday, evening or weekend classes.

Is the RES exam hard?

It needs real study. Each paper has 80 questions in 2.5 hours, and you need 60 marks to pass. Practising helps a lot. That is why RIA School gives its students a free revision class, and our free group shares revision papers.

Do I need to join an agency before I take the course?

No. You take the course and the exam first. After you pass, you join a licensed agency, like ERA, and the agency registers you with CEA.

Join the free RES support group

Tell us when you plan to take the RES course or exam. Fill in the form below and we will add you to our free RES support group.

Want to know what the job is really like first? Read: how to be a property agent in Singapore