We are dedicated to strengthening the Real Estate profession. 
 

At AREA, we are dedicated to strengthening the real estate profession and supporting our members in upholding the highest standards of practice. AREA Professional Development provides educational tools to help members develop technical skills and achieve professional excellence. In addition to optional training opportunities, AREA also requires its members to complete one formal course each year, which is covered within member dues. 

The 2021 mandatory course offering has been adapted to allow for choice, personal alignment with professional development and to encourage a diverse skill set amongst our members. As a second option, AREA members are able to choose an approved third-party course to tailor-make a professional development experience for the individual. AREA's first-in-Alberta partnership with SAIT, and the Leadership in Real Estate course offerings are a great example of third-party options. Your approved third-party course must be taken and completed within the 2021 calendar year. Any costs incurred with a third-party course will not be covered by AREA. 

The courses below are available to AREA members. AREA's online course catalogue has been designed to be compatible with Apple and Android devices. Find the desktop learning computer requirements here.

To view all all courses available to members and non-members, click here.

Need guidance with your course? View the 2021 Mandatory Course Online Troubleshooting Guide.

2021 Mandatory Course

Engaging with Contracts 2021 has been added to all AREA member accounts and can be found under "My Account." Should you wish to apply an outside course from a third-party institute as your AREA mandatory course, please follow the instructions below.

The deadline to complete your 2021 Mandatory Course is January 31, 2022.

Engaging with Contracts 2021

Writing effective contracts is a necessary ability of any successful REALTOR^®. This sought after skill is not just about putting words onto paper, but rather requires an understanding of the various contract sections, the consequences of a poorly written or negligent agreement and the value in taking the time to walk through the contract with your client(s). This three-hour online course explores several common case studies of poorly written contracts and their ramifications, further providing details and offering tools on how to do it better next time. In addition, the course offers an interactive activity exploring the most commonly used contracts in real estate, their best practices and the pitfalls to avoid. This course includes a thirty-question final exam, requiring an 80% passing grade to receive course completion.

OR

Third-Party Course Equivalent Option

In lieu of the Engaging with Contracts 2021 online course, a member can choose to apply an outside course (not provided by AREA) as the 2021 Mandatory Course equivalent, as long as it meets the below required criteria:

• Provided by a recognized institution – examples include NAR, CREA, REIC, polytechnic, university, or college.
• Course must include a testing or measurement component.
• Completion of course must be verifiable.
• Must be new to you and not a previously learned course.
• Course substitution must be requested of AREA Professional Development before December 1, 2021.
• Must be completed by the end of the 2021 calendar year.
• Duration must be equal or greater to the mandatory course duration (3 hours in classroom or 90 minutes online).
• Should enhance your skills that the public expects from you as a REALTOR^®.
• Must be a course available to any member, not Brokerage specific.

If interested in applying this option, email pd@albertarealtor.ca before taking the course with the following information:

1. The course name
2. The course institute
3. The course date
4. Your name
5. Your brokerage

An AREA team-member will reply to your email with confirmation as to whether the course can be applied as an equivalent.

*Please note that verification of course completion will be required.*