The removal of internal trade barriers is poised to reshape professional mobility in Canada, and real estate licensing is firmly in the spotlight. With the federal government accelerating efforts to eliminate these long-standing obstacles, professionals in the real estate sector—especially in provinces like Alberta—are watching closely.
The Push to Eliminate Trade Barriers
Internal trade barriers have historically limited the ability of professionals, including real estate agents, to work across provincial lines. Although the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) came into effect in 2017 to enhance labour mobility, enforcement has been inconsistent, and provincial regulations continued to create hurdles.
In January 2025, the federal government announced mandatory compliance measures under the CFTA, requiring provinces to fully recognize credentials for regulated professions, including real estate. As part of these reforms, Ottawa introduced the National Labour Mobility Act, which enforces interprovincial recognition of licenses unless substantial differences in standards are proven.
"Real estate professionals are often bound by unnecessary administrative hurdles that don’t reflect their skills or training," says Jennifer Hnatiw, Vice President of Industry Relations at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). "Modernizing licensing through interprovincial cooperation is essential for a more competitive national real estate market."
Real Estate Licensing and Labour Mobility in Canada
Under Chapter Seven of the CFTA and the new National Labour Mobility Act (2025), regulated professionals like real estate agents must be granted mobility across provinces, provided they meet comparable standards. This provision directly targets occupational licensing frameworks and legally binds provincial regulatory bodies to reduce unnecessary barriers.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) has taken proactive steps. Its Labour Mobility Policy enables professionals licensed in other Canadian provinces to apply for an Alberta licence without undergoing additional education or testing—so long as they meet comparable standards and acknowledge Alberta's Real Estate Act.
"We've streamlined our process to attract top talent from across the country," explains Charles Stevenson, Registrar at RECA, in a February 2024 statement. "This approach not only supports agents but also improves service standards for Albertans looking to buy or sell their homes."
Similarly, the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) offers a pathway for real estate professionals from other provinces to gain licensing in B.C., requiring proof of English proficiency and knowledge of provincial regulations.
With the 2025 reforms in place, these provincial practices are now expected to align under a uniform national standard. Provinces that previously required additional exams or local coursework for incoming real estate professionals must now provide clear, evidence-based justification showing substantial regulatory or competency differences. This ensures that added barriers are only used when genuinely necessary and not as protectionist measures.
While the new legislation does not directly regulate licensing fees, real estate professionals may see reduced overall costs. By removing redundant exams, provincial applications, and mandatory retraining, agents transferring between provinces will benefit from streamlined licensing, saving both time and money.
What’s Next for the Real Estate Sector?
The implementation of the National Labour Mobility Act and strengthened CFTA enforcement in 2025 represent a turning point. Real estate professionals now benefit from a streamlined, legally enforceable process to move and practice across jurisdictions, enhancing career mobility and service flexibility.
"We see this as an opportunity to build a truly national real estate profession," says Robert Kavcic, Senior Economist at BMO Capital Markets. "Labour mobility, especially in real estate, will help close regional gaps in supply and demand while making markets more efficient."
For Alberta, a province known for leading on regulatory reform, this evolution supports a more dynamic, mobile real estate workforce and expands opportunities for agents and brokers.
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