Licence Issue and Maintenance

The real estate broker must, no later than April 30 of each year:

• Update their personal information
• Update their personal contact information: address, email, etc.
• Report any changes to the information already provided to the OACIQ, notably:
  • Any criminal, penal or ethical charge or offence of which he was found guilty, regardless of its nature or relation (perceived or not) to real estate brokerage, including those currently under appeal or awaiting sentencing
  • Any personal bankruptcy, whether or not the person has been discharged from it, or of a legal person or partnership under their control

The application is then reviewed by the LIMC in accordance with the regulations.¹

Change during the year

Any changes made during the year must be reported immediately² via the Brokers’ Area.

¹ Section 38 of the Real Estate Brokerage Act.

² Sections 10 and 11 of the Regulation respecting broker’s and agency licences.

The real estate broker must, no later than April 30 of each year:

• Pat the annual applicable fees, including the FICI contribution.

 To do so, an Online Checkout is available during the licence renewal period.

The real estate broker must fulfil the requirements of the MCEP cycle by earning the required number of continuing education units (CEUs), including: 

• Mandatory training activities 
• Elective training activities established by the OACIQ

The real estate broker must, no later than April 30 of each year:

• Pay the annual applicable fees, including the annual enrollment in the FARCIQ insurance policy

All holders of a valid licence issued by the OACIQ have insurance coverage under the Fonds d’assurance responsabilité professionnelle du courtage immobilier du Québec (FARCIQ).

When a commitment is made to the Syndic, the Public Assistance Department, the Inspection Department, the LIMC, or the Discipline Committee, real estate brokers must complete the required training activity within a given period. 

Failing which their licence will be suspended.

Every five years, real estate brokers must provide a new photo, taken in the last six months, via the Brokers' Area

This photo can be found:

• On the licence
• In the OACIQ Register of licence holders  

There is no charge for updating the photo if done within 12 months prior to the five-year deadline. Outside this period, fees will apply.

If they are acting on their own account, real estate brokers must:

• Maintain a trust account
• Complete the inspection questionnaire no later than March 31 of each year
• Submit the Trust Transaction Report, even though the account balance was $0 throughout the year¹ 

Otherwise, measures can be taken, up to and including the filing of a disciplinary complaint.

Read this article for more details.

¹ Section 24 of the Regulation respecting records, books and registers, trust accounting and inspection of brokers and agencies

Real estate brokers must at all times comply with:

• The conditions associated with their licence, as provided for in the regulations
• The rules of professional conduct

Otherwise, they may be subject to a complaint and have their licence suspended or revoked or be subject to any other sanction¹ if the Discipline Committee so decides.

¹ Section 98 of the Real Estate Brokerage Act

Having a background does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a real estate broker's licence. 

However, anyone applying for a licence must declare it to the OACIQ.

Certain aspects of a candidate’s background may raise questions about the probity of the candidate for the real estate broker profession and may affect the issuance of a licence. 

The Licence Issue and Maintenance Committee (LIMC) may then be called on to review the application in order to protect the public. 

Note that any false declaration regarding one's background may result in the licence revocation

Yes. Anyone applying for a real estate brokerage licence must disclose to the OACIQ any current criminal or penal charges and any convictions or guilty pleas, even if: 

• The sentence has not yet been rendered
• The decision is under appeal
• Any conditional or unconditional discharge
• Any record suspension (formerly called "pardon")
• Certain civil or administrative judgments
• Any disciplinary decision rendered by a professional order or regulatory body

The required documents must be provided, regardless of the date of the conviction.

A false declaration may result in the licence revocation.

Yes. Anyone who has gone bankrupt must report it to the OACIQ, regardless of whether or not they have been discharged, and provide the required documents.

This obligation also applies when a legal person or partnership under their control declares bankruptcy, makes an assignment of property or is placed under a receiving order pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (RSC (1985), c.B-3).

The Licence Issue and Maintenance Committee (LIMC) may then be called on to review the application in order to protect the public. 

Examples of legal persons under the licensee’s control:

• A legal person in which they hold the majority of shares or voting rights
  
• A legal person in which they can elect the majority of directors
  
• A legal person in which they are acting as a director or executive officer
  

• Submit the Examination Application (PDF)
• Attach all the required documents in PDF format: proof of identity, transcript, and payment
• Send all documents in a single email to [email protected]

If the application is complete:

• It will be processed as soon as possible.
• However, if it is submitted in April, during the annual licence renewal period, it may take longer.
• The timeframe may also vary if:
  • Additional verifications are required
  • The file must be submitted to the LIMC

If the application is incomplete: 

• The applicant will receive a notice indicating:
  • The documents or information to be submitted to the Certification Department 
  • The deadline for sending them
• The application will be processed only once all documents and information are received

If the application is not completed within the specified period:

• It will not be processed
• Certain fees may be reimbursed, depending on the circumstances
• Administrative fees may apply

In the event of a refusal to issue a licence or cancellation of the application, only the fees related to the right to practise, the contribution to FICI, the premium of FARCIQ, and the subscription to the electronic forms will be refunded.

Even if the person has received a record suspension, they still need to report this conviction to the Organization.

However:

• The conviction will not affect the processing of the application
• The application will not be submitted to the Licence Issue and Maintenance Committee (LIMC) for that offence 

In the case of a (conditional or unconditional) absolution, the situation could be different, and the person’s application could be submitted to the committee.

1. All the sections of the form are completed
2. The photo is recent, taken within the last 6 months, on a white background
3.  All the documents required in the event of a conviction or bankruptcy have been provided
4. Proof of knowledge of French is provided if the exam was taken in English
5. The applicable fees have been fully paid

A confirmation email is sent. Depending on the type of application, it is possible to check:

• The Register of licence holders 
• The Brokers’ Area

The change takes effect once it appears in the Register of licence holders. 

Depending on the date and time the application was received, as well as its type, it may not be processed at the desired date, notably if it was received outside of business hours or if it is incomplete.