Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
To become a real estate agent in Ontario you must be at least 18 with legal status to work in Canada, complete the pre-registration salesperson program delivered through Humber College, find a brokerage to employ you, and register with RECO, which includes mandatory insurance. You then complete post-registration courses within your first two years. Budget several thousand dollars and several months, plus savings to live on while you build a pipeline.
The steps in order
| Step | What it involves |
|---|---|
| 1. Check eligibility | At least 18, legally entitled to work in Canada, and meet the education requirement |
| 2. Pre-registration program | Courses, simulation sessions and exams through Ontario’s Real Estate Education Programs, delivered by Humber College |
| 3. Choose a brokerage | You cannot trade independently; a brokerage must employ you |
| 4. Register with RECO | Application, fees and mandatory insurance through RECO’s program |
| 5. Join a board | Board and association membership for MLS access, where applicable |
| 6. Post-registration phase | Additional courses within the first two years of registration |
Confirm current fees and course structure with Humber and RECO before you start.
What it really costs to start
- Course and exam fees for the pre-registration program.
- RECO registration and insurance.
- Board, association and MLS dues where applicable.
- Brokerage fees, which vary by model.
- Business costs: phone, car, signage, photography, marketing and a laptop.
- Living expenses. Commissions can take months to arrive.
What the job actually is
Prospecting and follow-up take more time than showings. The successful new agents I see treat it as a sales business: daily lead generation, fast response, tight follow-up and a system to track it all. The rest is learning the paperwork well enough to protect clients.
Try the tools clients use
You will be answering value questions constantly. Try the estimator to see how a client thinks about their number before they call you.
Free tool — AI home value estimator
Instant Home Valuation
What’s your home
worth today?
Answer six quick questions and get an instant value range built from current Toronto & GTA sale data — property type, size, condition, lot and location all weighted the way a real pricing conversation weighs them. Takes about ninety seconds.
Reading recent GTA sale data…
Building your estimate
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
Choosing your first brokerage
Ask about lead provision, commission split and caps, desk or franchise fees, training, mentorship and who signs off on your paperwork. See best brokerage to join in Toronto and commission splits explained.
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty at 799 The Queensway. We provide leads to our agents and work on partnership-style splits, so new and growing agents have something to work with from day one. If you are considering the business, book a call and ask me anything, including the parts nobody advertises.
The takeaway
Getting licensed in Ontario means eligibility, the Humber-delivered pre-registration program, a brokerage, RECO registration with insurance, then post-registration courses. Budget several thousand dollars, several months and a living cushion, and choose a brokerage on leads, training and split.
Talk it through with me
Thinking about a real estate career?
Tell me where you are in the process. I will send an honest breakdown of costs, timeline and what our brokerage provides.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become a real estate agent in Ontario?
Meet the eligibility requirements, complete the pre-registration salesperson program delivered through Humber College, get hired by a brokerage, and register with RECO including mandatory insurance.
How long does it take to become a realtor in Ontario?
Most people take several months to complete the pre-registration program, then register once a brokerage hires them.
How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Ontario?
Budget several thousand dollars for courses, RECO registration and insurance, board dues and start-up business costs. Check current fees with Humber and RECO.
Do I need a brokerage to work as a realtor in Ontario?
Yes. Salespersons and brokers must be employed by a registered brokerage.
What is the post-registration phase?
Additional required courses completed within the first two years after you register.
Is it hard to start in real estate?
The licensing is manageable; building a client base is the hard part. Plan for months without income.
Sources
- Real Estate Education Programs (Humber College) — the Ontario pre-registration and post-registration salesperson programs. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- RECO — becoming a real estate salesperson — registration steps, insurance and requirements in Ontario. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 — the statute governing Ontario real estate registrants, in force in its current form since 1 December 2023. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- Best brokerage to join in Toronto
- Commission splits explained
- Is real estate a good career?
- How much do agents make?
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.