Switching estate agent
Real estate salespersons will need to submit a switching application if they wish to join another estate agent during their registration with their current estate agent.
Last updated 14 April 2026
Switching application process
If you wish to join another estate agent (EA) during your registration with your current EA, you must submit a switching request to your current EA. Your EA can choose to either acknowledge your switching request in the Advanced CEA Estate Agencies System (ACEAS) before it is routed to the receiving EA, or let ACEAS automatically route it to the receiving EA after a period of time.
Once the receiving EA has supported your switching request, it will trigger a switching application. You will be able to log in to ACEAS and submit the switching application to the receiving EA. The receiving EA will then need to verify the contents of your switching application and submit it to the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).
Processing time
Upon receiving all the required supporting documents and payment of applicable fees, we will take approximately two to three weeks to process your switching application.
Please note that you will remain registered with the current EA until 31 December of the current year or the date the switching application reaches "Registration Issued" status, whichever is earlier.
Switching applications submitted to CEA between 1 January and 30 September
If your switching application is submitted to CEA between 1 January and 30 September and it is subsequently approved by CEA, your RES registration with the receiving EA will only be effective from the date your application reaches “Registration Issued” status.
You will need to submit an RES registration renewal application with the receiving EA during the renewal period.
Switching applications submitted to CEA between 1 October and 31 December, and approved by CEA by 31 December
If your switching application is submitted to CEA between 1 October and 31 December and it is subsequently approved by CEA by 31 December, your RES registration with the receiving EA will only be effective from 1 January of the following year.
You will remain as a registered RES with your current EA until 31 December of the current year, and you do not need to submit an RES registration renewal application during the renewal period.
Fees
Application fee for RES registration: $60
RES registration fee: Refer to the table below.
RES registration fee
For switching within the current registration period | For switching to take effect in the next registration period | |
|---|---|---|
Fees | No registration fee required | $280 |
Example | If your RES registration with your current EA ends on 31 December of this year and you wish to switch to another EA with no change in registration period (i.e., registration still ends on 31 December of this year), your new EA does not need to pay the RES registration fee. | If your RES registration with your current EA ends on 31 December of this year and you wish to switch to a new EA for the following year, your new EA must pay the RES registration fee for the following year. |
Please note that fees paid are non-refundable.
Frequently asked questions
Switching application process
1. Is the receiving EA able to submit the switching request to the current EA on the RES’s behalf?
No, the switching request must be submitted by the RES from the Switching module in ACEAS.
2. When should the RES tender resignation with their EA, especially since some of them must serve an actual 1 month notice to the EA? How long will CEA take to process the switching application? 2 to 3 weeks or shorter?
The RES with a valid registration can continue to practise under their current EA while the switching application is being processed. Once CEA has approved the switching application, both the current and receiving EAs will be informed of the outcome of the switching application. Thereafter, the RES’s name will appear in CEA’s Public Register under the receiving EA.
The resignation process in the written agreement between the RES and EA is a contractual matter, which CEA does not intervene in. The RES should refer to the terms and conditions in their associate agreement or employment contract signed with the EA. EAs and RESs should plan the transition carefully bearing in mind that they can expect a processing time of 2 to 3 weeks for switching applications submitted to CEA that meet all requirements.
3. Is the switching request remarks field in the Switching application form non-mandatory?
Yes, the remarks field is non-mandatory.
4. There is a document attachment field in the Switching application form. What documents should the RES attach here?
This is an optional field for the uploading of documents such as the RES’s resignation letter.
5. Will the current EA be notified after the RES has submitted his switching application to the receiving EA?
No, the current EA will not be notified of this.
6. How will the current and receiving EA know the date that the switching application is approved and the date that the RES is switched over?
Both the current and receiving EAs will receive an email notification informing them of the approval of the switching application by CEA. Both EAs can also view the status and outcome of the switching application on ACEAS
7. Is the current EA required to submit an RES cancellation application on the RES’s last day of service?
No. This is not required.
8. How can I check the status of my switching application after it is submitted to CEA?
You can log in to ACEAS for Individual > Click on Services > RES Management > Switching to view the status of your switching application.
Submitting a switching application instead of renewal application during the renewal period
1. If I wish to switch my RES registration to another EA this year, when should my switching application be submitted to CEA, and do I need to take part in this year’s Renewal Exercise?
If you wish to switch your RES registration to another EA this year, your switching application must reach CEA by 30 September this year. Once the registration is switched to the new EA, you will need to take part in this year’s Renewal Exercise to renew your RES registration with the new EA in the next calendar year.
2. If I wish to switch my RES registration to another EA next year, when should my switching application be submitted to CEA, and do I need to take part in this year’s Renewal Exercise?
If you plan to switch your RES registration to another EA next year, you do not need to take part in this year’s Renewal Exercise and your new EA should submit your switching application to CEA from 1 October onwards. If your switching application is approved before 31 December, your RES registration with the new EA will begin on 1 January of next year.
Note:
We will require approximately two to three weeks on average to process an application after receiving it, if the application fully meets requirements. Applications, which do not meet all requirements, or require further supporting documents, will likely take beyond the usual processing time of two to three weeks to be approved. For applications submitted in December, you may not receive your RES registration with the new EA by 1 January of next year.
3. What happens if the receiving EA does not submit my switching application to CEA for processing by 12 noon on 31 December of this year?
Please see which scenario applies to your situation:
Scenario 1: If you have renewed your registration but intend to switch to another EA for next year
If you have renewed your registration for next year, you will remain registered with your current EA. You may submit a switching application to CEA next year via the receiving EA.
Scenario 2: If you have not renewed your registration and intend to switch to another EA for next year
If you have not renewed your registration for next year, your registration with your current EA will expire after 31 December. You may approach a licensed EA to submit a RES registration (returning) application to CEA instead. More information on salesperson registration applications is available at this link.