Licensing & Renewals > Real Estate > Opening a Brokerage

Opening a Brokerage

The first step in establishing a brokerage is to identify an individual that is eligible to be licensed with RECA as a broker. Each brokerage must have a broker that has the education and experience qualifications, or a related exemption from RECA, for the brokerage to operate. For more information about the qualifications required to become licensed as a real estate broker, please click here.

In order to open a new real estate brokerage, the broker is required to send to RECA the following documents (for a printable checklist, click here).

• An original completed Brokerage Licence Application (guide to completion)
• An original completed Broker Application for Licence and Registration (guide to completion)(for those applying for a broker licence for the first time) or a completed Broker Application for Registration (guide to completion) (for those who are currently or were previously licensed as a broker);
• If the brokerage is a sole proprietor:
• copy of Proof of Trade Name Filing/Certificate of Amendment from Alberta Registries
• If the brokerage is a partnership:
• copy of partnership agreement
• copy of proof of partnership filing from Alberta Registries
• copy of Proof of Trade Name Filing/Certificate of Amendment from Alberta Registries, if applicable
• If the brokerage is a corporation:
• copy of certificate of incorporation from Alberta Registries (dated within the past six months);
• proof of shareholder structure including percentage of ownership for corporation and any and all corporate shareholders (i.e. current Corporation/Non-Profit Search from Alberta Registries or an original certified true copy of corporate minutes or Director’s Resolution Agreement)
• Note, if the broker does not have controlling interest (minimum 51 per cent) of the corporation, RECA requires a Broker of Record Agreement between the owner(s) and the Broker of Record giving authority to carry out the duties and responsibilities under the Real Estate Act as per question #21 on the brokerage licence application. (For a sample Broker of Record Agreement, click here
• proof of officers of the corporation and any and all corporate shareholders (i.e. original certified true copy of corporate minutes or Director’s Resolution Agreement)
• proof of directors of the corporation and any and all corporate shareholders (i.e. current Corporation/Non-Profit Search from Alberta Registries or an original certified true copy of corporate minutes or Director’s Resolution Agreement)
• Proof of Trade Name Filing/Certificate of Amendment ,if applicable;
• If the brokerage wishes to operate in a “.ca” or “.com” name, proof of domain name registration such as a copy of the CIRA registration or equivalent;
• Original letter from a financial institution in Alberta on the financial institution’s letterhead with an initialed teller’s stamp indicating transit, institution and account number of trust account (s) [required only if the real estate brokerage will be receiving funds on behalf of clients or investors, or funds as or on account of commission or other remuneration for a trade in real estate that is to be shared between brokerages]. This information will be provided to the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. For further information click here
• If the broker is currently registered as a broker with a brokerage:
1. And the brokerage is ceasing operations, provide an original Declaration of Undertaking (Ceasing Operations) (For more information on requirements to cease a brokerage, click here
2. And the brokerage will be applying for a change of broker, provide a copy of the letter of resignation (For more information on requirements for a change of broker application, click here
• If the broker is currently registered as an associate or associate broker with a brokerage, provide an original associate/associate broker registration cancellation form
• Confirmation of zoning for business address, such as: Business Licence, Business Permit, Home Occupation/Class 1 Permit, Lease Agreement with confirmation of zoning, and/or a Zoning Certificate;
• If brokerage is a franchise, copy of Franchise Agreement;
• Any additional or relevant documentation to support a “YES” answer(s) on any of the completed RECA application forms;
• Required fees (please see current fee schedule).
• Executed RECA ONLINE Electronic Filer Agreement
• Executed final page of the RECA ONLINE User Manual
• training for use of the RECA ONLINE system is provided by RECA staff for new broker applicants.

Following RECA’s receipt of all of the above documents and fees, and upon completion of RECA ONLINE training if required, the broker and brokerage applications will be processed by RECA. If brokers have any questions throughout the process, they are encouraged to contact RECA’s licensing department at licensing@reca.ca or (403) 228-2954 (toll-free in Alberta at 1-888-425-2754).