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Introduction

All individuals engaged in estate agency work, including sales and leasing transactions for residential (both HDB and private housing), commercial, and industrial properties, are required to register with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA). The CEA serves as the regulatory authority for the real estate agency sector, administering the Estate Agents Act 2010 and its associated regulations.

Before applying for salesperson registration, candidates must pass the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) Examination, which is a prerequisite under the Estate Agents (Licensing and Registration) Regulations 2010. The RES Examination is composed of two papers that assess the essential knowledge needed for a successful career as a real estate salesperson.

The RES Examination Syllabus is tailored to the local legal framework, regulations, and practices governing estate agency work in Singapore, as well as the processes involved in buying, selling, and leasing HDB flats and private residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Goals​

The goals of the RES Examination are to guarantee that incoming professionals fulfill the following prerequisites prior to practicing as real estate salespersons:

  • Acquire foundational understanding of real estate concepts, the real estate market, contract law, agency law, planning and development control, and marketing principles to competently execute estate agency work.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the necessary knowledge for providing estate agency services, particularly in handling the sale and lease of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting title searches, immigration checks, and financial calculations.
  • Comprehend and implement ethical standards, applicable laws and regulations, and best practices in estate agency work, thereby maintaining the professional integrity of salespersons.
  • Stay informed about current market data and government policies and regulations.

Before attempting the RES examination, candidates are required to complete the RES Course, which consists of a minimum of 50 hours of classroom learning, provided by any of the Approved Course Providers (ACPs). ACPs are encouraged to develop learning opportunities within the RES course to ensure participants gain the necessary knowledge and skills during the lessons.

RES Examination Format​

The RES Examination is composed of two papers, each lasting 2.5 hours.

Paper 1 and Paper 2 Examination Format
Section A: 60 Multiple Choice Questionsone mark each
Section B: 20 Multiple Choice Questions with reference to Case Studiestwo marks each