In today’s interconnected real estate world, interest has risen in real estate trades that transcend provincial and national boundaries. 

Suppose you have an interest in listing properties or representing buyers outside of Alberta. In that case, it is important to remember that RECA licenses are only valid for real estate trades within the province of Alberta. To provide real estate services to clients looking for properties or listing properties outside Alberta, agents are obligated to confirm if the services they want to provide require a license. The relevant regional regulatory body may require agents to be licensed under their jurisdiction for various activities that constitute a trade.  

Refer to the following link for regulatory agencies in North America: Regulatory Agencies (arello.org) 

REALTORS^® have the fiduciary duty to act in their client’s best interest. If an agent provides real estate services for a property where they lack knowledge of the local area or have not personally visited, it may expose the agents to potential claims or litigation. In these circumstances, the best course of action is to refer the buyer or seller to an agent familiar with the area. Click here for REIX’s take on out-of-area trades. 

But what about licensing reciprocity? 

Licensing reciprocity is part of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, which aims to improve labour mobility across Canada by ensuring that workers who are certified to practice their occupation in one province are eligible to be certified in the same occupation in another province without having to go through all the certification training again. How does that apply to real estate? In short, if a member is licensed with RECA, for example, and they apply to be licensed in BC, they don’t have to go through BC’s real estate education/exam process.  

However, licensing reciprocity does not mean that your RECA license allows you to trade in other provinces. Members interested in trading in other provinces must apply to that province’s regulator and be granted a license before trading.  

A trade is a trade is a trade… right? 

Sorry, it’s not. Real estate legislation has unique provisions from province to province, and real estate activities that don’t require a license in one province might require a license in another province.  

If you have a client who wants you to assist them with a real estate service or activity outside of Alberta and you’re not licensed by that province, we encourage you to contact that province’s regulator. Explain what services you’d be providing or activities you’d be participating in, and ask whether you need a license to do those things. We highly recommend getting that answer in writing.

Helpful tips 

If you’ve been asked to expand your real estate practice beyond Alberta’s borders, consider the following: 

• Discuss the out-of-province opportunity with your broker. There might be brokerage policies in place that you should be aware of. 
• Consider if your expertise is enough to provide your client with quality information, insight, and advice so they can make well-informed decisions.  
• Remember referrals are an option. Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of referring the client to a licensed REALTOR^® in the other province.  
• Remember to check if the province requires you to have a license from their regulator for the services you hope to provide. 

The CREB^® Rules for the Pillar 9™ MLS^® System continue to apply to any out-of-province properties listed on the board’s MLS^® system.