CPD framework
The Continuing Professional Development framework ensures real estate salespersons have the skillsets and critical competencies to carry out their duties effectively.
Last updated 3 June 2026
The Council for Estate Agencies’ (CEA) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework ensures Key Executive Officers (KEOs) and real estate salespersons (RESs) have the skillsets and critical competencies to carry out their duties effectively.
CPD framework
Developed as part of Project ADEPT, a revised CPD framework (2026 framework) came into effect in 1 January 2026. The 2026 framework recognises more forms of CPD activities, allowing for more diverse and in-depth professional development opportunities.
Each CPD cycle is aligned with the RES registration validity period and runs from 1 January to 31 December every year.
The 2026 framework comprises two key components:
Structured Learning (SL)
The SL component comprises courses in Professional Competencies (PC) and a mandatory Prescribed Essential (PE) CPD training requirement.Self-directed Learning (SDL)
The SDL enables KEOs and RESs to have flexibility in their learning process and take up more forms of learning activities that can be recognised for registration renewal.
All KEOs and RESs who wish to renew their registration must fulfil a minimum of 16 training hours per CPD cycle from the respective components in the table below.
Structured Learning (SL) [Minimum 12 hours] | Self-directed Learning (SDL) [Minimum four hours] | |
Prescribed Essentials (PE) [Minimum four hours] | Professional Competencies (PC) [Minimum eight hours] | Generic Competencies Plus (GC Plus) [Minimum four hours] |
Courses accredited by CEA | Course attendance approved by RESs’ KEOs | |
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The PE categories will be specified by CEA each year. For the 2026 CPD cycle, the PE topic will be Prevention of Money Laundering, Proliferation Financing and Terrorism Financing (PMLPFTF). | Please refer to Professional Development Reference Guide for more information on the skills and competencies relevant to different job roles and areas of specialisation in the real estate agency industry. | |
Important Note:
New RESs are exempted from fulfilling their CPD requirement in their first CPD cycle but must comply from their second cycle onwards.
Training hours fulfilled under one category cannot be used to substitute for CPD requirements under another category.
CPD guidelines for estate agents and real estate salespersons
CEA has launched the new CPD guidelines for estate agents and real estate salespersons, effective from 1 January 2026. You may refer to the following for more information:
2026 Continuing Professional Development Framework (PDF, 157KB)
CPD Guidelines for Estate Agents and Salespersons (PDF, 144KB)
CPD requirements
For existing KEOs and RESs
Existing KEOs, practising directors/ partners, and RESs who wish to renew their registration must fulfil a minimum of 16 training hours for each CPD cycle:
Four hours from PE under SL component;
Eight hours from PC under SL component; and
Four hours from SDL component
You can check your CPD fulfilment status via CEA’s CPD System (CPDS).
For returning RESs
KEOs, practising directors/ partners, and RESs who wish to return to the real estate agency industry must fulfil the following requirement.
Registrations lapsed for up to two years
KEOs, practising directors/ partners, and RESs who have left the real estate agency industry for less than two years must fulfil the requirement a minimum of 16 training hours for each cycle, as if they were still registered with CEA, before applying for registration:
Four hours from PE under SL component;
Eight hours from PC under SL component; and
Four hours from SDL component
Individuals who have achieved some CPD credits in 2024 and 2025, and are planning to return in 2026 and 2027 can check on the number of SL, PE and SDL training hours they need to fulfil by logging into their account in the CPD System (CPDS).
For SL courses, individuals should check with their course providers to ensure that they have uploaded their attendance records to the CPD System (CPDS).
For SDL courses, individuals can approach the KEO of the estate agent they are joining with supporting documents of course completion, so that the KEO can verify and approve the CPD training hours. KEOs are to ensure that their RESs comply with the CPD requirements. KEOs will need to assess the relevance of activities undertaken by their RESs and approve CPD courses under SDL.
Individuals can check their CPD fulfilment status via CPD System (CPDS).
Registrations lapsed more than two years
KEOs, practising directors/ partners, and RESs whose registrations have lapsed for more than two years are required to pass the RES examination before applying for registration.