New Qualification Framework Set to Reshape Entry Into Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Brokerage Market

Saudi Arabia is preparing to introduce a new professional qualification framework for people entering the real estate brokerage industry, with updated requirements for first-time applicants taking effect on September 1, 2026.

The new foundational level is designed to strengthen professional standards before brokers enter the market, combining specialized training with formal assessment and a greater focus on regulatory compliance.

The changes form part of a broader effort by the Real Estate General Authority to improve the quality of brokerage services and establish a more structured professional pathway for practitioners.

Three Mandatory Training Programs

First-time applicants will be required to complete three core training programs covering real estate brokerage, real estate marketing, and fraud and money laundering prevention in the property sector.

The brokerage program will run for two days, while real estate marketing will take four days. A further two days will be dedicated to fraud and anti-money laundering training.

The mandatory qualification period will therefore total eight days, compared with 10 days under the previous pathway.

The curriculum has also been reorganized, with electronic real estate marketing incorporated into the main marketing course rather than offered separately.

Anti-Fraud Training Becomes a Core Requirement

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of dedicated fraud and anti-money laundering training as a mandatory component for new applicants.

The program is intended to help future brokers recognize suspicious activity, understand relevant regulatory obligations and become more familiar with practices designed to protect clients and the wider property market.

Its inclusion reflects the changing nature of the profession as Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector becomes increasingly regulated.

A broker’s responsibilities now extend beyond connecting buyers and sellers or landlords and tenants. Compliance, transparency and awareness of financial crime risks are becoming an increasingly important part of professional practice.

Remote Classes Followed by an In-Person Exam

Training under the new pathway will be delivered through live online sessions, allowing applicants across the Kingdom to participate without having to travel for the classroom component.

The final examination, however, will be conducted in person.

Applicants who complete the required courses will sit a standardized examination at National Center for Assessment testing locations, with the process designed to verify candidates’ identities and assess their understanding of the material covered during training.

Candidates will need to achieve a minimum score of 70% to pass.

The Saudi Real Estate Institute will be responsible for preparing the examination and its academic content, while the National Center for Assessment will host and supervise the testing process.

Existing License Holders Are Not Affected

The new foundational requirements are primarily aimed at people applying for a real estate brokerage and marketing license for the first time.

Brokers who already hold valid licenses will not be required to restart their qualification or complete the new training and examination requirements during the current phase.

Existing practitioners will continue to renew their licenses under the procedures already in place.

New licenses can continue to be issued through the current qualification route until August 31, before the foundational pathway takes effect the following day.

Shorter Training and Lower Costs

The revised framework reduces the mandatory training period from 10 days to eight while also lowering the overall cost of the required programs.

Mandatory training fees will stand at SAR 1,897.5, down from SAR 2,127.5 under the previous structure.

With an additional SAR 150 examination fee, the total stated cost for a new practitioner will be SAR 2,047.5.

Optional development courses will also remain available for practitioners who want to expand their professional knowledge, including programs related to the Ejar platform and financial aspects of real estate activity.

A Starting Point for a Broader Career Path

The foundational level is intended to serve as more than a licensing formality.

It is being positioned as the first stage of a broader professional pathway that could allow brokers to progress toward more advanced and specialized levels as their careers develop.

The approach places greater emphasis on ensuring that new practitioners understand regulations, marketing, transactions and compliance before entering the market.

The changes come as Saudi Arabia’s real estate brokerage sector continues to record significant activity.

Official figures for the first quarter of 2026 showed 119,179 real estate brokerage contracts, alongside 15,414 licenses for brokerage activities and 112,728 licensed property advertisements.

Separate Diploma for Real Estate Regulations

Alongside the new qualification pathway, a Diploma in Real Estate Laws and Regulations has also been introduced through cooperation between the Saudi Real Estate Institute and the Institute of Public Administration.

The diploma is designed for professionals seeking deeper knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework governing the property sector.

It remains an optional and separate professional program, however, and is not a requirement for obtaining or renewing a real estate brokerage and marketing license.

The September changes point to a broader shift toward a more professionalized brokerage industry in the Kingdom, where regulatory knowledge, compliance and specialized skills are becoming increasingly important as the real estate market continues to expand and evolve.