What's the difference between a licensed estate agent and a registered salesperson?

The estate agency (the firm) is licensed by CEA, while individual salespersons are registered with CEA through that licensed agency. They are two distinct statuses.

Can a salesperson operate independently?

No. A registered salesperson must work under a licensed estate agency and cannot conduct estate agency work on their own account.

How many CPD hours must a salesperson complete each year?

Under the CPD framework that took effect on 1 January 2026, salespersons and KEOs must complete a minimum of 16 training hours per CPD cycle: 12 hours of Structured Learning (of which at least 4 hours are Prescribed Essential topics and 8 hours Professional Competencies) plus 4 hours of Self-directed Learning. The cycle runs 1 January to 31 December, aligned with the registration validity period, and replaces the former 6-credit October-to-September framework. Newly registered salespersons are exempted in their first cycle. Confirm the current requirement with CEA.

What is CEA's Dispute Resolution Scheme, and must an agency take part?

It is the route, established under the Estate Agents (Dispute Resolution Schemes) Regulations 2011, for resolving a contractual dispute — typically over commission — between a client and the estate agency they signed an estate agency agreement with. If the client initiates it, the estate agent and salesperson must participate. There are two sub-schemes: mediation, where a neutral mediator facilitates but the parties themselves decide the outcome, administered by CASE, SISV or the Singapore Mediation Centre; and arbitration, where an arbitrator makes a binding decision, administered by the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators or SISV. It does not cover co-broking disputes between salespersons or agencies. Confirm the current centres, fees and timelines with CEA.

What is the difference between a dispute with an agent and a complaint to CEA?

A dispute is a contractual argument about money owed under the estate agency agreement; it is resolved between the parties through CEA's Dispute Resolution Scheme by mediation or arbitration, and can end with the client being paid. A complaint is an allegation of misconduct; CEA investigates it and the outcome is a Letter of Censure or a referral to a Disciplinary Committee — a sanction on the agent or salesperson, not compensation for the client. The two routes are independent and can run at the same time.

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Paper 2 · Regulation & the CEA Framework

Estate Agent Licensing vs Salesperson Registration (CEA)

Must-know for the exam

The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), set up in 2010 under the Estate Agents Act, licenses estate agents (firms) and registers salespersons.
The agency holds the licence (renewed annually) and must have a CEA-approved KEO as accountable head; the salesperson holds a registration, not a licence.
A salesperson may be registered through only one licensed estate agent at a time and cannot operate independently or hold an agency licence.
Doing estate agency work for reward without the required licence or registration is an offence under the Estate Agents Act; a person dealing with their own property is exempt.
Registration requires being at least 21 years old, 4 GCE 'O' Level passes or equivalent, passing the RES examination, being fit and proper, and annual renewal.
From 1 Jan 2026 CPD is 16 hours per 1 Jan–31 Dec cycle: 12 hours Structured Learning (4 Prescribed Essential, 8 Professional Competencies) plus 4 hours Self-directed Learning.
The 2026 framework replaced the old 6 CPD credits on an Oct–Sep cycle; a newly registered salesperson is exempt in their first CPD cycle only.

The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) was set up in 2010 under the Estate Agents Act to regulate the industry. The most reliable exam theme here is precise terminology: who is licensed, who is registered, and who is accountable.

Three roles, side by side

Role	Status	Key points
Estate agency (the firm)	Licensed by CEA	Licence renewed annually; must have a KEO
Key Executive Officer (KEO)	Approved by CEA	Leads & is accountable for the agency's conduct
Salesperson	Registered with CEA	Only through ONE licensed agency; cannot operate independently

What counts as 'estate agency work'?

Broadly, estate agency work is doing things to bring about a property transaction for another person, for reward — introducing parties, marketing, negotiating. To do this for a fee you must be a registered salesperson under a licensed agency.

Exempt: a person dealing with their own

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Common questions

What's the difference between a licensed estate agent and a registered salesperson?: The estate agency (the firm) is licensed by CEA, while individual salespersons are registered with CEA through that licensed agency. They are two distinct statuses.
Can a salesperson operate independently?: No. A registered salesperson must work under a licensed estate agency and cannot conduct estate agency work on their own account.
How many CPD hours must a salesperson complete each year?: Under the CPD framework that took effect on 1 January 2026, salespersons and KEOs must complete a minimum of 16 training hours per CPD cycle: 12 hours of Structured Learning (of which at least 4 hours are Prescribed Essential topics and 8 hours Professional Competencies) plus 4 hours of Self-directed Learning. The cycle runs 1 January to 31 December, aligned with the registration validity period, and replaces the former 6-credit October-to-September framework. Newly registered salespersons are exempted in their first cycle. Confirm the current requirement with CEA.
What is CEA's Dispute Resolution Scheme, and must an agency take part?: It is the route, established under the Estate Agents (Dispute Resolution Schemes) Regulations 2011, for resolving a contractual dispute — typically over commission — between a client and the estate agency they signed an estate agency agreement with. If the client initiates it, the estate agent and salesperson must participate. There are two sub-schemes: mediation, where a neutral mediator facilitates but the parties themselves decide the outcome, administered by CASE, SISV or the Singapore Mediation Centre; and arbitration, where an arbitrator makes a binding decision, administered by the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators or SISV. It does not cover co-broking disputes between salespersons or agencies. Confirm the current centres, fees and timelines with CEA.
What is the difference between a dispute with an agent and a complaint to CEA?: A dispute is a contractual argument about money owed under the estate agency agreement; it is resolved between the parties through CEA's Dispute Resolution Scheme by mediation or arbitration, and can end with the client being paid. A complaint is an allegation of misconduct; CEA investigates it and the outcome is a Letter of Censure or a referral to a Disciplinary Committee — a sanction on the agent or salesperson, not compensation for the client. The two routes are independent and can run at the same time.

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Study material aligned to the public CEA syllabus. Not financial or legal advice — verify current figures with the relevant authority (IRAS, HDB, CEA, MAS).