Q1) What is the SAEA Accredited Salespersons Scheme?
Before 11 Apr 2008, the SAEA Scheme provided accreditation for agencies and estate agents. Wef 11 April 2008, the SAEA Board introduced a second tier accreditation known as SAEA Accredited Salespersons Scheme (SAS) to cater to associate agents or salespersons who do not intend to qualify for the House Agent Licence and sit for the CEHA.
Q2) How does the SAEA Accredited Salesperson Scheme benefit the general public?
The general public will benefit from the professional and competent advice and service provided by Accredited Salespersons. In addition, the general public can seek recourse from errant Accredited Salespersons of alleged misconduct themselves.
Q3) Why introduce the Scheme?
The purpose is to enable all estate agents or associate agents to be accredited either as a salesperson or estate agent. The ultimate aim is to raise the level of professionalism in the estate agency industry.
Q4) Is the Scheme mandatory?
The purpose of the Scheme is to raise the practice and service quality in the estate agency industry. It is hoped that all associate agents or salespersons would get themselves accredited. Publicity campaigns will be launched to get the general public to deal with only accredited salespersons or accredited estate agents. It is to be expected that in due course the general public will only engage accredited salespersons or accredited estate agents to help them sell or buy their properties or to assist them in their housing needs.
Q5) What is the difference between the Pre-Ceha and Salespersons scheme?
The SAEA Pre-CEHA scheme previously allowed candidates without 'O' levels to sit for the Pre-CEHA examination in order to qualify them to sit for the CEHA examinations. This scheme ended on 31 December 2008. Candidates who do not wish to sit for the CEHA examinations are now given an alternative to sit for the SAEA Salespersons Examination which is the Common Examination for Salesperson (CES).
Q6) What is the Common Examination for Salespersons (CES) all about?
The Examination comprises 2 papers lasting 2 hours each. Each paper comprises 100 compulsory MCQs. Candidates are required to answer all the questions. Candidates are granted 1 year to pass both papers, subject to any new government requirements announced. Upon the expiry of the year or new government requirements and if candidates still do no pass both papers, they are required to sit for the papers again or act according to whatever new regime the government puts in place. The CES course is funded by WDA for up to 90% of the course fee, subject to conditions. More information can be obtained from SAEA Secretariat or any of 18 Approved Training Centres.
Q7) How often will the CES be conducted?
The examination will be held every month. The schedule can be found on the SAEA website.
Q8) Who are eligible to sit for CES?
From 1 Mar 2010, only those with minimum 2 'O' level credit passes or equivalent will be eligible to apply to sit for the examination.
