RECA FAQs – Renewal Edition!

Information officers and licensing administrators at the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) receive more than 25,000 calls and emails each year, and September is, without a doubt, the busiest month. Of course, the reason being that all of Alberta’s 15,000+ real estate industry professionals have to be renewed on or before September 30 each year.

As RECA’s first point of contact with industry professionals, information officers and licensing administrators answer thousands of questions, particularly about renewals and the renewal process. Below are ten of the most commonly asked renewal questions (and the answers!).

1.   I forgot my RECA ID and password. How can I retrieve it? If you are a broker candidate, you can retrieve your login information (including your RECA ID) by visiting RECA’s website at www.reca.ca, and clicking on “Online Licensing.” At the bottom of the login screen, click on “Forgot Login Information,” enter your information and your RECA ID and password will be emailed to the email address RECA has on file for you.

2.   Where can I obtain current renewal forms? Pre-populated 2011-2012 forms are available for brokers candidates to download in the main details screen on RECA Online. Alternatively, blank 2011-2012 forms are available from RECA’s website on the Licensing and Registration Forms page.

3.    Changes have been made to my brokerage information, can I renew now and send the changes to RECA later? No, brokerage amendments must be completed prior to renewing the brokerage licence. Please refer to the brokerage amendments page on the RECA website for further information.

4.   One of the industry members registered with my brokerage has a “YES” answer to one of the suitability questions, what do I do now? If one of the industry members has a “YES” answer, forward an original sworn statement in the industry member’s own words about the incident in question and supporting documentation to RECA, along with the original completed application, for processing. Failure to provide these documents well in advance of the September 30, 2011 renewal deadline could result in a lapse in the industry member’s authorization to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages, as the case may be.

5.   Do I send RECA my completed, commissioned renewal application forms? You do not send RECA completed renewal applications as long as there are no positive responses to the suitability questions AND no amendments are needed to the pre-populated information contained within the application. Brokers and real estates candidates are to process renewals online using the RECA Online licensing system. Once the renewals are processed, brokerage candidates are to retain the completed licensing and registration forms for a minimum of three years.

6.   What course do I have to complete in order to renew? Industry members do not have to complete any Re-licensing Education Program courses prior to renewing by September 30, 2011.

7.   Can I pay for my renewal by cheque or cash? As a broker, if you wish to pay for renewals by cash or cheque, you must submit your payment to RECA. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing by RECA to have the money deposited into your RECA Online account. Fees that are received by RECA after September 23, 2011, may not be deposited in your RECA Online account prior to the September 30, 2011 renewal deadline and you may have a lapse in your authorization.

8.   How do I obtain a receipt for my renewal fee(s)? Users are offered the opportunity to generate and print a receipt for all licensing transactions after the transaction has been completed. If you neglect to print the receipt at this time, it cannot be re-generated; however, you can review payment information by viewing the Financial Statement located under the “Action Drop Down” window on the main details screen of RECA Online.

9.   What happens if I don’t renew before October 1, 2011? If you don’t renew prior to October 1, 2011, you will cease to be authorized to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages, as the case may be.

10.  How do I know if I’ve been renewed or not? Before trading in real estate or dealing in mortgages on October, 1, 2011, ensure you are authorized using the “Search for an Industry Member” function on the RECA website. Visit www.reca.ca, click on “Industry Members” and then click on “Search for an Industry Member” on the right side of the screen under “Featured Resources” (alternatively, you can click here).  Using that function, you can search your licensing status by inputting your last name. If you are currently authorized, the search results will have a green traffic light by your name. Anything other than green means you are not authorized to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages. If you believe a mistake has been made, please contact your broker as soon as possible. If you are a broker candidate, contact RECA.