Can I work as a real estate agent/salesperson if I have not studied at university?

To become an estate agent/salesperson, you need to meet a number of conditions to successfully apply for a license. One of the most concerned conditions is the academic requirements. 

 

Qualification requirements for applying for a license 

 

In fact, the requirements for becoming a real estate agent or salesperson are not very high, and a university degree is not required. As long as one has completed the fifth grade of middle school education  (form 5 in Hong Kong secondary school/ graduate from high school), or has the same or higher education level, he/she can meet the educational requirement. In other words, even if you fail the Certificate of Education Examination (CE) or the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), as long as you are a graduate from Form Five (the second grade in Hong Kong high school), you can meet the academic qualifications.

 

However, when submitting a license application, students also need to submit one of the following supporting documents:

1. Documents issued by recognized educational institutions, such as graduation certificates, transcripts or confirmation letters, etc.

 

1. A certificate of qualification issued by a recognized examination or assessment institution indicating the subjects passed (e.g. a pass in 5 different subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE).

 

Guidelines on recognition of academic qualifications by the Estate Agents Authority

 

The guidelines of the Estate Agents Authority are fairly clear and easy to understand. Basically, one of the following types of institutions are accredited education or examination institutions or courses:

 

1. Education or examination institutions or courses registered with the government

1. For example: Secondary schools registered with the Hong Kong Education Bureau

 

1. Or a government-approved higher education college

https://www.edb.gov.hk/tc/edu-system/postsecondary/local-higher-edu/institutions/index.html

 

2. Those included in the recognized qualifications register

 

1. For example: those listed in the Australian qualifications framework 

 

1. Hong Kong Central Online Database: https://www.hkqr.gov.hk/HKQRPRD/web/hkqr-en/index.html/

 

3. Recognized by the government or its affiliates as an institution for awarding qualifications

 

1. For example: Mainland institutions recognized by the State Council of China

 

4. Institution authorized by the laws of relevant countries/regions to grant qualifications

 

1. For example: British universities approved by relevant Acts of the British Parliament

 

5. Accredited accredited by recognized bodies

1. For example: institutions in the United States accredited by bodies recognized by the Secretary of Education

 

Or if students have completed the following levels, they can also meet the requirements:

Completion of the following or higher education qualifications will be deemed to meet the relevant academic requirements:

1. Hong Kong: 

• -The fifth grade of middle school (including the fifth grade of middle school under the new high school structure);

 

• -Passed results in 5 different subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination*;

 

• Completion of the Yi Jin Diploma course (must have passed results in 10 different subjects)

 

• -Obtain specified results in any five subjects of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE)**;

1. Mainland China: high school or technical secondary school;
2. Australia: Grade 11; 
3. Canada: Grade 11;
4. New Zealand: Grade 11
5. England: Grade 11 or Form 5 
6. United States: Grade 11 
7. Philippine: University year 1 
8. Other regions/countries: consider under individual circumstances

 

For more detailed information, please refer to:

https://www.eaa.org.hk/zh-hk/Licensing/Educational-qualifications

Or call the hotline of the Estate Agents Authority at 2111 2777 (press 2, 2 after language selection).

 

What should I do if I lose the relevant academic certificate?

 

If students wish to use the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (CE), Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AL), and Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) as proof of application for a real estate license, but unfortunately lose their transcripts, they can apply for an official copy from the HKEAA:

https://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/tc/our_services/cert/

 

If a student wants to apply with a graduation certificate or academic certificate, but unfortunately loses the relevant documents, you need to check with your alma mater on how to reissue the certificate.

 

If the student wishes to apply with the overseas exam certificate, but unfortunately loses the relevant documents, you need to obtain the relevant reissued documents from the relevant exam supervision agency.

 

What should I do if I fail to meet the academic requirements?

 

At present, there are a large number of courses in the market. Students can consult those institutions or directly to the Estate Agents Authority to find out whether a course meets the standards of the Estate Agents Authority. Students can choose to study at the same level as Hong Kong’s Form 5 academic qualifications, or even higher level courses.

 

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