CEA Three-Year Registration Cycle and Currency Requirement: What Changes From 2027
On 28 July 2026 the Council for Estate Agencies announced the biggest change to salesperson registration in years: registrations will last three years instead of one, and renewing will require proof that you are still actively transacting. This page sets out exactly what CEA has published — no more, no less.
What CEA announced
What counts as a qualifying transaction
CEA's media release lists these transaction types:
- HDB resale and rental transactions
- Private residential sale, resale and rental transactions
- Commercial sale, resale and rental transactions
- Industrial sale, resale and rental transactions
- Foreign property sale transactions
- En bloc transactions
How deals are credited, per CEA's explainer: for residential transactions, one salesperson per side of the deal is recognised. For more complex commercial, industrial or en bloc transactions, CEA may recognise more than one salesperson per side; the estate agent submits supporting documents and CEA decides case by case.
New joiners, the Refresher Examination, and if you fall short
| Situation | What CEA says |
|---|---|
| New salesperson | Exempt in the first calendar year after joining; from the second year the requirement is pro-rated — 2 transactions within the remaining two years. |
| Fewer than 3 transactions by the end of the cycle | You are guaranteed a seat for the Refresher Examination; passing it meets the Currency Requirement for that cycle. |
| Requirement not met | Not eligible to renew. To return, you must complete the RES course and pass the RES Examination again. |
| Extenuating circumstances | You can write to CEA to request a review. |
The end-2026 renewal: what you need now
The Currency Requirement does not apply to this renewal. What does: CEA's renewal opens on 1 October 2026, CEA recommends submitting by 30 November 2026, and applications in the late window (1 to 31 December 2026) may not be approved by 1 January 2027. CEA asks salespersons to have their 16 CPD hours for 2026 achieved by the renewal exercise.
Check your CPD first: How to check your CEA CPD hours in CPDS · the full rules: CEA CPD requirements 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is CEA's Currency Requirement?
From the three-year cycle starting 1 January 2027, a real estate salesperson who wants to renew registration must complete at least 3 qualifying property transactions within the three-year registration period, or pass a Refresher Examination. Source: CEA media release, 28 July 2026.
When does the three-year registration cycle start?
1 January 2027. The first cycle runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029. The end-2026 renewal exercise is the renewal into that first three-year period.
Does the Currency Requirement apply to the 2026 renewal?
No. CEA has said salespersons do not need to meet the Currency Requirement for the end-2026 renewal exercise, but must have their 16 CPD hours for 2026 achieved by then.
Which transactions count?
CEA's media release lists: HDB resale and rental transactions; Private residential sale, resale and rental transactions; Commercial sale, resale and rental transactions; Industrial sale, resale and rental transactions; Foreign property sale transactions; En bloc transactions. For residential transactions, one salesperson per side of the deal is recognised.
What if I am a new salesperson?
New salespersons are exempt from the Currency Requirement in the first calendar year after they join. From the second year it applies on a pro-rated basis: 2 transactions within the remaining two years.
What happens if I do not meet it?
A salesperson who does not meet the Currency Requirement is not eligible to renew registration and must complete the RES course and pass the RES Examination again. CEA says salespersons who cannot complete three transactions by the end of the cycle are guaranteed a seat for the Refresher Examination, and passing it meets the requirement for that cycle.
Does CPD change under the three-year cycle?
No. CPD stays at 16 training hours every year. The Currency Requirement is in addition to CPD, not a replacement for it.
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Prepared by Straits Intelligence Pte. Ltd. for information only, from CEA's own publications. CEA may publish further details (including on the Refresher Examination); CEA's announcements are the authority.
Published 21 September 2026 · All guides