Real estate qualification review and redesign

Qualification pre-requisites

Frequently Asked Questions

Salesperson: qualification, licensing and progression

Q: I would like to start studying towards the existing New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) (Level 4). What should I do?

A: You can start straight away. The training providers that deliver the Level 4 qualification are listed in the section "Organisations that can help".

For new learners looking to become licensed in the real estate sector, the new qualification structure means you must complete the New Zealand Certificates in Real Estate levels 4, 5, and 6 in succession. Each qualification is an education requirement for a different licence class.

Q: I’m currently studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) (Level 4). What do the changes mean for me?

A: The changes will have no impact on your current programme of study. In consultation with the real estate sector, the Skills Organisation reviewed the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) (Level 4) in 2020 and deemed the qualification as fit for purpose. This is the entry qualification into the real estate sector. Completing this qualification will enable you to enrol for study for the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 5).

Once you have completed your qualification, you will need to apply for a licence before you can carry out real estate agency work. Details about the application process and criteria are available on REA’s website. 

Q: I am currently a licensed salesperson; how do I achieve the qualifications needed to apply for a Branch Manager or an Agent licence?

A: Please refer to the pre-requisite table(external link) to determine where in the qualification suite you can start.

You can start studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 5) (Branch Manager) qualification before meeting the licensing work experience requirements. You also must have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) (Level 4) before enrolling in the L5 qualification.

If you have achieved the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 5) qualification, you may move directly into the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) (Agent) qualification either with or without applying for a Branch Manager licence.

To find out more, contact your preferred provider for further information on enrolment requirements.  To find out more about the required criteria and qualifications required for each licence class, please contact REA.

New learning course: Senior Salesperson

Q: Why would I do the new Senior Salesperson Introductory course?

A: This course contains the initial training components of the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 5) (Branch Manager). Completion of this course will count towards the Level 5 qualification should you wish to achieve the full qualification straight away or complete the remaining training of the Level 5 later. By completing this course, you will be able to assist a Branch Manager or Agent with the oversight of day-to-day tasks carried out by less-experienced Salespeople.

Q: Will the Senior Salesperson Introductory course allow me to supervise and manage Salespeople?

A: No, all Salespeople need to be supervised and managed by a Branch Manager or Agent. However, Senior Salespeople are able to assist a Supervisor (who must be a Branch Manager or Agent) with the oversight of day-to-day supervision tasks. Refer to REA’s Professional Standard on Supervision(external link) for further information.

Branch Manager: qualification, licensing and progression

Q: I am considering studying the existing New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Branch Manager) (Level 5) qualification with Open Polytechnic. Should I wait until I can enrol in the new qualification, the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 5) Version 2?

A: There is no need to wait until the new qualification is ready. You can start the Branch Manager qualification now. The New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Branch Manager) (Level 5) is currently available for enrolment with Open Polytechnic. Learners are encouraged to contact Open Polytechnic(external link) to discuss enrolment and time to complete. Completion of this course will allow you to progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6).

Q: I'm currently studying towards the existing New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Branch Manager) (Level 5). What do the proposed changes mean for me?

A: There should be no change to your current course of study, and we encourage you to actively progress your study. If you have any questions we encourage you to contact your provider.

Q: I am a licensed Branch Manager. What do the changes mean for me?

A: The changes to the qualifications will not currently impact you. However, if you decide, that you would like to become a licensed Agent, you will need to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) qualification.

The timeframe for completing the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) has been reduced from the previous National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) (Level 5) as the review removed duplications across the qualification suite. The new Level 6 qualification focuses on the core skills and knowledge required to become a licensed Agent.

Agent: qualification and licensing

Q: I am considering studying towards the current National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) (Level 5) qualification. Should I wait until the new qualification, the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6), is available for enrolment?

A: Not necessarily, you can still apply to study to obtain the National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) (Level 5) qualification through Skills, if you already hold the National Certificate in Real Estate (Branch Manager) (Level 5).  Skills offers a shorter ‘supplementary credit programme’ to achieve the Agent qualification, as Unit standards achieved in the National Certificate contribute to the National Diploma. Acceptance will depend on your knowledge and experience as the qualification is set to expire on 30 June 2023. Skills wants to ensure that anyone that enrols can complete it. Learners need to be realistic about the commitment required to finish it on time. Contact Skills(external link) to discuss your options.

However, Open Polytechnic will be offering the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) in early 2022 though dates are still to be confirmed.

If you have not already completed a Branch Manager qualification, you should complete a branch manager qualification first. Under the new qualification suite, applicants for the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) must have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 5) or equivalent before being eligible to enrol.

The New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Branch Manager) (Level 5) is currently available for enrolment with Open Polytechnic. Learners are encouraged to contact Open Polytechnic(external link) to discuss enrolment and time needed to complete the qualification.

Q: I am considering studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) qualification. When will it be available for enrolment?

A: The intent is for the programme to be ready early 2022.

Q: I'm currently studying towards the existing National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) (Level 5). What do the changes mean for me?

A: There is currently time to complete the National Diploma, and we encourage those studying to actively engage in completing their papers and finish as soon as possible.

Q: I'm currently studying towards the existing National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) Level 5 with the Skills Organisation. Can I swap to the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) when it is ready?

A: You are encouraged to complete the National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) Level 5. It may be possible that some of the unit standards you achieve in the National Diploma in Real Estate (Agent) Level 5 can credit towards the New Zealand Certificate in Real Estate (Level 6) however this is not yet confirmed.  There is currently time to complete the National Diploma, and we encourage those studying to actively engage in completing their papers and finish as soon as possible.

Q: I am a licensed Agent. What do I do?

A: The changes to the qualifications will have no impact on you directly. Your qualification and your Agent licence remain unchanged. However, if you run a business, the proposed changes will enable you to implement a succession plan and support you to provide a career pathway in your business. You may like to consider how to incorporate this into your business model. The proposed changes may also help you with your supervision responsibilities by encouraging more Salespeople to undertake further study towards a Branch Manager’s licence, to assist with supervision tasks and to support the future growth of the sector.

As a leader in the sector, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the new qualification suite and pre-requisites table, so you can advise and develop your team, and encourage more Salespeople to undertake further study. This will help build a pipeline of future Supervisors and leaders and support the sector’s future growth.

Organisations that can help