Under the new regulatory regime administered by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), one of the registration criteria for individuals aspiring to be real estate salespersons is that they must pass the CEA’s Real Estate Salesperson (RES) examination or have equivalent qualification. This is to ensure that those intending to do estate agency work are well qualified, professionally competent and be able to work effectively in the real estate industry. Equally important is that they must uphold good ethical standards.

The RES course syllabus is prepared in the context of laws in Singapore governing real estate agency work and shall focus on sale and lease transactions involving residential, commercial and industrial properties located in Singapore. However, the syllabus does not include laws or regulations of other countries governing transactions of foreign properties and real estate salespersons are advised to be familiar of such laws or regulations when advising their clients in foreign properties transactions.

The RES course syllabus is designed to ensure real estate salespersons meet the expectations required of them:

• Have good knowledge of the concepts of real estate and agency practice;
• Have a basic knowledge of the legal requirements and laws governing property transactions and real estate agency work;
• Have a basic knowledge of the terminology and concepts of real estate sale and leasing and the need to comply with the requirements of the law;
• Understand the requirements of the Estate Agents Act 2010 and subsidiary legislation including Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and of the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA); and
• Be able to handle typical property transactions effectively and in compliance with the law, government policies, rules and CEA’s prescribed regulations and practice guidelines.

After completing the RES course, individuals can then register for the examination which consists of 2 Papers

PAPER 1  Basic Real Estate Concept and Law 

PAPER 2 Real Estate Salespersons Practice and Regulations