Mandatory CPD Scheme for newcomers

2024-05-24

With the aim of encouraging licensees to continuously improve their professionalism and uphold the spirit of lifelong learning, the Estate Agents Authority (“EAA”) launched a voluntary Continuing Professional Development (“CPD”) Scheme in May 2005. After nearly 20 years, the EAA will introduce a Mandatory CPD Scheme soon and implement Phase I for newcomers in the first quarter of 2025.

Under the voluntary CPD Scheme, licensees were encouraged to keep their professional knowledge up-to-date and earn a certain number of CPD points annually by participating in various educational activities, such as seminars and online courses provided by the EAA or approved providers, including endorsed training institutions, relevant professional institutes, estate agency trade associations and estate agencies, etc.

To further enhance the professionalism, image, and reputation of the estate agency industry, as well as to strengthen public confidence and consumer protection through building a culture of professionalism among licensees, Phase I of Mandatory CPD Scheme will be launched in the first quarter of 2025. The Scheme will initially only target newcomers in Phase I. Licensees who take and pass the necessary qualifying examinations and subsequently acquire their salesperson’s or estate agent’s licences will be subject to a Mandatory CPD condition starting from the date of implementation of the Scheme.

These new licensees must earn a specific number of CPD points as specified by the EAA within the duration of their licences. Typically, licensees will receive one CPD point for each hour of CPD activities they engage in. Initially, the CPD requirement for a licensee holding a one-year licence is four CPD points. For those licensees whose licence is valid for two years, they need to accumulate a total of eight CPD points prior to applying for licence renewal. In cases where the licence is valid for less than one year, the CPD point requirement will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis.

Existing licensees are not subject to the Mandatory CPD requirement. Please stay tuned for more details of the Mandatory CPD Scheme on the EAA’s website.

Ruby Hon
Chief Executive Officer
Estate Agents Authority