CEA CPD Courses 2026: Where to Find Accredited Courses and What Each Category Needs
Knowing the CPD rules is one thing; booking the right courses is another. CEA keeps its own list of recognised courses — this guide shows where it is, which courses count for which of the three categories, and how to sequence the year. For the rules themselves, read the CEA CPD requirements 2026 guide.
1. Start with CEA's course directory
CEA publishes the recognised Structured Learning CPD courses in its CPD course directory. It is the authoritative answer to "does this course count?" — search it before you pay for any course you intend to count towards your 12 Structured Learning hours.
If a course is not in CEA's directory, do not count on it for Structured Learning. Labels such as "CPD-aligned" or "industry-recognised" are not CEA accreditation.
2. What counts in each category
The three categories are separate minimums. CEA's framework is explicit that hours in one category cannot substitute for another.
| Category | Minimum | What qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Essentials | 4 hours | A CEA-accredited course on the year's topic. 2026: Prevention of Money Laundering, Proliferation Financing and Terrorism Financing (PMLPFTF). Each course is at least 4 hours. |
| Professional Competencies | 8 hours | CEA-accredited courses covering laws and regulations, property markets and related real estate knowledge — including specialisations in residential, commercial, industrial and foreign property. |
| Self-directed Learning | 4 hours | SkillsFuture Singapore's 16 Critical Core Skills and other knowledge relevant to estate agency work, approved by your agency's Key Executive Officer and submitted in CPDS. |
3. Sequence the year around the renewal
The 2026 cycle ends on 31 December 2026, but CEA's renewal opens on 1 October 2026 and CEA asks salespersons to have their 2026 hours achieved by then. Working back from that date:
| When | Target |
|---|---|
| First | The Prescribed Essentials course — the one requirement no other course can replace. |
| Next | The 8 Professional Competencies hours, chosen from CEA's directory. |
| Before October | Submit Self-directed Learning in CPDS and confirm all three categories show as met — how to check in CPDS. |
Keep your own course confirmations and certificates: CEA's CPD Guidelines ask you to keep attendance records for 5 years.
4. Comparing courses
Fees vary by provider, format and length. Four comparisons matter more than the headline price: whether the course is in CEA's directory, which category it counts for, how many hours it carries (cost per hour, not per course), and whether the format suits you — classroom for discussion, online for time. Your agency may already run or arrange accredited courses, so ask your Key Executive Officer before paying for external ones.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find CEA-accredited CPD courses?
In CEA's CPD course directory at eservices.cea.gov.sg/cpds/course-directory, which lists the recognised Structured Learning CPD courses for salespersons and Key Executive Officers.
Which courses count towards CEA CPD in 2026?
Structured Learning (12 hours) must be CEA-accredited courses: at least 4 hours of Prescribed Essentials and 8 hours of Professional Competencies. The remaining 4 hours are Self-directed Learning, approved by your agency's Key Executive Officer rather than accredited by CEA.
What is the Prescribed Essentials course for 2026?
The 2026 Prescribed Essentials topic is Prevention of Money Laundering, Proliferation Financing and Terrorism Financing (PMLPFTF). Each Prescribed Essentials course runs for at least 4 training hours, so one accredited course covers the requirement. CEA has set Laws, Regulations and Ethics as the 2027 topic.
Can I use extra Professional Competencies hours to cover Prescribed Essentials?
No. CEA's framework states that hours fulfilled under one category cannot substitute for the requirement in another.
Do unused CPD hours carry over to the next year?
No. CEA's CPD Guidelines state that excess training hours are not carried forward to the following year.
When do I need to finish my courses?
The 2026 cycle ends on 31 December 2026. CEA's renewal exercise opens on 1 October 2026, and CEA asks salespersons to have their 2026 CPD hours achieved by then.
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This guide is written and maintained by Straits Intelligence Pte. Ltd. (UEN 202615220E). It is published for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current requirements, accredited courses and your CPD standing with CEA directly at cea.gov.sg.