How to Become a Real Estate Agent in South Africa

Resiliency, good interpersonal skills and willingness to go the extra mile. If this is you, then you just might be cut out for the life of a certified property practitioner. Being a real estate agent could be one of the most lucrative professions you can pursue. That being said, the job is not for everyone. It requires passion, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond. For those who have what it takes, here are the steps to becoming an estate agent. And, thanks to the Property Practitioners Act, becoming a real estate agent is becoming far more achievable, as many of the onerous qualification roadblocks have been reduced.

The first step in the process is to identify an accredited real estate training provider that offers an Occupation Certificate (OC) NQF level 4 qualification in Real Estate and to join a real estate agency. Thereafter, you need to register with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), which is the governing body that regulates the real estate industry. Once registered as a Candidate Property Practitioner, you will be issued with a Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC), which needs to be renewed every 3 years.

The process of becoming a fully qualified property practitioner will vary slightly dependent on whether you already hold an FFC before or after 30th June 2024, but we’ll cover this in more detail below…

Scenario A: new to real estate

Anyone who is brand new to the real estate profession from 1 July 2024 onwards will need to follow the steps outlined below:

• To complete the qualification, you will need to join a Real Estate agency, like RE/MAX, so that a principal real estate broker / mentor can oversee your training.
• You will also need to register with a Skills Development Provider (SDP) that has been recognised by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO) and that offers an Occupation Certificate (OC) NQF level 4 qualification in Real Estate.
• Some institutions that can assist with the OC Real Estate include:
  • Brain Trust Business training
  • Itakane Training Academy
  • Isikolo School of Learning
  • PropAcademy
  • Charter Academy
  • Business and Auction Academy
  • Applecherry Real Estate Business Development and Training
  • To check if your chosen institution is a registered Skills Development Provider (SDP), you can look them up online: https://lmis.servicesseta.org.za/Home/SDPSearch
• While completing the first and second modules of the OC Real Estate, namely the ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Practical’ modules, you can apply to the PPRA for a Candidate FFC. You do not need a FFC to start these modules, but by the time you reach the third “Workplace Evidence” module (typically 6 months into your OC Real Estate course), you must have an FFC and be registered with a real estate company.
• You will then have 180 days (i.e. 6 months) in which to complete the third ‘Work Experience’ module under the mentorship of a qualified real estate agent at your real estate agency.
• Once the ‘Work Experience’ module is complete, you will need to write an “External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)” – which is essentially just a 'closed book exam’ which will be arranged by your chosen learning institution. If you pass this exam, you have completed your QCTO – OC qualification.
• You will then need to submit certified proof of completion of the course to the PPRA so that you can write your final qualifying exam – the Professional Designation Exam (PDE 4).
• Once you pass your PDE 4, you are then awarded a PPRE designation that allows you to practice as a non-principal property practitioner.
• Once qualified, you will need to complete the annual Continuing Professional Development [CPD] as set out by the PPRA every year to keep your qualification valid.

Scenario B: currently holds an FFC

Anyone who already holds a current FFC but who has not yet registered with an accredited training provider before 30 June 2024 will need to follow the steps outlined below:

• Just as somebody who is completely new to the industry, those who hold an FFC but aren’t yet enrolled in a real estate course will need to complete the new QCTO – OC Real Estate within the Candidates ‘Current’ 3 Year FFC period, or the PPRA will not renew the candidates FFC until the educational requirements have been met.
• The only difference in the process is that those who fall within this category will not be required to complete the ‘current’ Logbook that was previously required when you applied for your FFC. This is replaced by the 6 month ‘Work Experience’ module where your progress is ‘logged’.

Scenario C: currently enrolled in a real estate course

Candidates who hold an FFC and who are registered with a SSETA accredited training provider by 30 June 2024 will need to follow the following steps:

• Complete the Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) NQF level 4: Real Estate Qualification. FETC courses are designed for those who are already involved in the real estate industry.
• Those who are already in the process of completing their 12-month Candidateship still need to complete a logbook. However, this does not need to be submitted to the PPRA.
• At the end of the 12-month Candidateship, the principal broker only needs to submit a letter to the PPRA, on a template provided by the PPRA, which states the following:
  • The Candidate has completed their 12-month candidateship
  • The Candidate has completed a Logbook
• After successfully completing a FETC NQF level 4 Qualification, Candidates will be eligible to apply to the PPRA to write the PDE4. Once passed, the Candidate will be qualified to practice real estate.
• The above steps all need to be completed during the Candidates current ‘3-year FFC’ period.

Become an Estate Agent with RE/MAX

At RE/MAX, we strive to help people achieve their hopes, dreams and desires. Because when you win, we win. We are the number one leading local brand and are unmatched globally. We would love for you to join the RE/MAX family. You can download the “Choose RE/MAX” Brochure and find out why thousands of brokers and agents before you choose RE/MAX.

Each of our offices are independent franchises which means that they will each have their own requirements of hiring agents. We would recommend getting in touch with your nearest RE/MAX Office to find out more. You can search for your nearest RE/MAX Office on our website.

Alternatively, you can give our Regional Support Office a call on 021 700 2000 and our receptionist will put you in touch with your nearest RE/MAX Office to assist.

Why wait? Join the RE/MAX team today!