How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ontario?

The journey breaks down into distinct phases: completing your education (3-12 months depending on full-time versus part-time study), passing exams and getting registered with RECO (2-4 weeks), finding the right brokerage (1-4 weeks), and landing that crucial first deal (2-6 months after licensing). Some dedicated individuals finish the education in as little as three months, while others take a full year studying part-time around existing commitments.

Understanding this timeline helps you plan financially and set realistic expectations. At Nave Real Estate, we’ve seen countless new agents navigate this journey, and those who succeed are the ones who go in with their eyes wide open about what the process truly involves.

TL;DR: Your Timeline at a Glance

• Complete timeline to first commission: 6-12 months on average
• Education phase: 3-12 months (can accelerate with full-time study)
• Exam and RECO registration: 2-4 weeks
• Finding your brokerage: 1-4 weeks
• First commission after getting licensed: 2-6 months (the part most people don’t talk about)

What Does It Actually Mean to Become a Real Estate Agent?

Before diving into timelines, let’s clear up what you’re actually signing up for. Becoming a real estate agent isn’t about getting a quick license and watching commissions roll in.

This is a sales career that demands hustle, relationship-building, and genuine expertise in your local market. You’ll spend your days showing properties, negotiating deals, handling paperwork, and solving problems for clients making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

The distinction between a real estate agent vs a REALTOR® matters here. Every real estate agent in Ontario must be licensed through the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). A REALTOR®, however, is an agent who’s also a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), which means additional ethical standards and access to MLS systems.

What does a real estate agent do daily? You’re constantly prospecting for clients, staying current on market conditions, coordinating showings, preparing comparative market analyses, and managing transactions from offer to closing. It’s not passive income. It’s active, relationship-driven work that rewards those who treat it like a proper business.

Understanding this reality shapes how you approach the timeline. You’re not just collecting a license. You’re building a career foundation that takes sustained effort.

The Complete Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent?

The path from “interested in real estate” to “licensed and working” involves four distinct phases, each with its own timeline.

Phase 1: Completing Your Real Estate Education Program (3-12 Months)

Your first major hurdle is the Real Estate Salesperson Program, which is mandatory for anyone wanting to become a real estate agent in Ontario. This real estate agent course is comprehensive, consisting of five sequential courses, two simulation sessions, and six exams.

RECO requires completion of this pre-registration phase, and you’ve got a maximum of 24 months to finish it.[1] However, most people complete it much faster. Full-time students who dedicate themselves can finish in 3-6 months, while those studying part-time around existing jobs typically take 9-12 months.

What education is required to be a real estate agent? You’ll cover real estate essentials, residential and commercial transactions, and getting started in the business. The courses blend online learning with practical simulations that mirror real transactions.

As of July 2025, there have been changes to the program structure under TRESA (Trust in Real Estate Services Act), with multiple RECO-approved providers now available, including Humber Polytechnic, Algonquin College, Fleming College, and Career College Group.[2] You’ll need to create a RECO account and obtain your RECO ID before selecting your education provider.

Want to know exactly what you’re getting into? Check out our guide on what to expect from the Real Estate Salesperson Program for a detailed breakdown of each course.

Phase 2: Passing Your Exams and Getting RECO Registration (2-4 Weeks)

Once you’ve completed your education, you’ll schedule and write your final exams. You must apply for registration with RECO within 12 months of completing your final exam, so don’t drag your feet here.

The exam scheduling process typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on availability in your area. After passing, you’ll submit your application to RECO for official registration as a real estate salesperson. Getting your real estate agent license takes another 1-2 weeks of processing, assuming your paperwork is complete and accurate.

How to become a real estate agent in Canada requires meeting specific regulatory standards, and RECO takes its time ensuring you’ve met every requirement. This includes background checks and verification of your education credentials.

For a comprehensive look at what RECO requires, our article on Ontario Real Estate License Requirements: What You Need to Know walks through every document and step.

Phase 3: Finding the Right Brokerage to Launch Your Career (1-4 Weeks)

Here’s something many people don’t realize: you cannot be registered as a real estate agent in Ontario without being employed by a licensed brokerage. This isn’t optional. Your brokerage is where you’ll hang your license.

The timeline for finding the right fit varies dramatically. Some people know exactly which brokerage they want and lock it in within a week. Others spend a month interviewing different brokerages, comparing commission splits, support systems, and company culture.

This decision matters more than most new agents realize. Your brokerage determines your training, your lead generation support, and frankly, how quickly you’ll close your first deal. A brokerage with strong mentorship and systems can shave months off your journey to profitability.

Finding the right brokerage involves researching their training programs, understanding their commission structure, and talking to current agents about their experience. Part of this process involves learning how to find a real estate agent within the firm who’s willing to mentor you, which is invaluable when you’re just starting out. Our guide on how to find a brokerage to join after getting licensed helps you ask the right questions during interviews.

Phase 4: Getting Your First Real Estate Agent Commission (2-6 Months Post-License)

This is the phase nobody warns you about in those “become a real estate agent” ads. Getting licensed is one thing. Actually earning money is another timeline entirely.

Most new real estate agents wait 2-6 months after getting licensed before they see their first commission cheque. Why? Because you need to build a client base, nurture leads, and close deals. Even after you get a signed agreement, closings take 30-60 days.

Real estate agent salary expectations need a reality check here. You’re not earning anything until you close deals. Some agents tap into their existing network and close a deal quickly. Others spend months prospecting before landing their first client.

How much does a real estate agent make in that first year? It varies wildly. Agents with strong networks, solid brokerage support, and full-time dedication might earn a decent income within 6-8 months. Those starting from scratch while working another job might take 12-18 months to build sustainable income.

The difference between a 6-month timeline and an 18-month timeline often comes down to daily discipline, lead generation systems, and having a supportive brokerage backing your efforts.

Quick Comparison: What Affects Your Timeline?

What Do You Need Beyond Time to Become a Real Estate Agent?

Time isn’t the only investment. What do you need to become a real estate agent beyond the months it takes?

You must be at least 18 years old and have completed high school or hold an equivalent credential like a GED. No university degree required. Beyond that, you’ll need to pass a criminal background check and demonstrate financial responsibility.

How to be a real estate agent in Ontario also requires being employed by a brokerage, as we mentioned earlier. You can’t work independently right out of the gate. This employment relationship is what allows you to legally trade in real estate.

Educational requirements to become a real estate agent are straightforward but non-negotiable. The RECO-approved program isn’t something you can shortcut or substitute with “related experience.” Everyone goes through the same five courses and exams.

Financial investment is the other piece most people want to know about. Course fees, exam costs, RECO registration, insurance, and local real estate board memberships add up. For detailed breakdowns, see our guide on costs and fees to get your real estate license in Ontario and educational requirements to become a real estate agent in Ontario.

Can You Speed Up the Process?

The short answer: yes, but only to a point.

The fastest possible timeline to get licensed is about 2.5-3 months if you study full-time and everything goes smoothly. Some dedicated individuals have done it even faster by powering through courses at maximum pace. Those wondering how to become real estate agent quickly should understand this path requires full-time commitment.

How to become a real estate agent quickly means treating your education like a full-time job. Study every day, don’t delay between courses, schedule your exams immediately after completing each section, and have your brokerage lined up before you finish.

But here’s what you cannot rush: RECO’s processing times, exam scheduling availability, and the mandatory sequence of courses. You can’t skip ahead or take multiple exams simultaneously. The program is structured to build knowledge progressively.

Want to know the absolute fastest route? Our comprehensive guide on how fast can you get your real estate license in Ontario breaks down realistic acceleration strategies versus wishful thinking.

When Will You Actually Start Making Money as a Real Estate Agent?

Let’s talk about the timeline everyone cares about but few discuss honestly.

From the day you start your real estate course to the day you receive your first commission cheque, expect 6-12 months minimum. For some, it’s faster. For many, it’s longer.

Becoming a real estate agent isn’t about getting a license and immediately earning a salary. Real estate agent jobs don’t come with a base pay. You earn when you close deals, and closing deals requires finding clients, building trust, and navigating them through 30-60 day transaction timelines.

How much does a real estate agent make in those early months? Potentially nothing. This is why financial planning matters. You need savings to carry you through or another income source while building your business.

The agents who reach profitability fastest typically have three things: an existing network they can tap into, a brokerage that provides solid training and support, and the financial runway to dedicate themselves full-time to prospecting and learning.

For a complete roadmap of what to expect at each stage, you’d need a step-by-step timeline to becoming a real estate agent in Ontario that walks through not just the licensing process but also the business-building reality that follows.

Conclusion

The journey from “I’m interested in real estate” to “I’m earning commissions as a licensed agent” realistically takes 6-12 months for most people in Ontario. Three to twelve months for education, a few weeks for registration and brokerage selection, then another 2-6 months to close your first deal and see actual income.

This isn’t a quick side hustle. It’s a legitimate career that requires time, financial investment, and sustained effort. Your personal timeline will depend on how much time you can dedicate to studying, whether you have an existing network to leverage, and how quickly you adapt to the business-building aspects of the role.

If you’re serious about this career, start by understanding the full scope of what’s involved, plan your finances accordingly, and choose a brokerage that will support you through those crucial early months. The agents who succeed are the ones who go in with realistic expectations and the determination to push through the learning curve.

FAQ

References

[1] Real Estate Council of Ontario. “Becoming a real estate agent.” https://www.reco.on.ca/agents-and-brokerages/becoming-a-real-estate-agent

[2] Humber Polytechnic. “Real Estate Education.” https://humber.ca/realestate/