Revised May 12, 2026

During the renewal period, we receive a high volume of calls and emails about renewals. If you have questions or issues regarding renewals, please review this page first, as your question is likely answered here. If you still need help, contact your broker before reaching out to the Commission.

Every real estate licence in the province of Nova Scotia expires annually on June 30, regardless of when you became licensed.

All real estate licences in Nova Scotia are renewed annually through the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission (NSREC) online Licensee Portal. The renewal process is time-sensitive, and it is the responsibility of every licence holder to ensure their renewal is completed before the deadline.

Renewal Period Key Dates

• Renewals open: May 10
• Renewal deadline: June 30 at 11:59pm.
• Licence expiry: June 30
• Licence termination (if not renewed): July 1 at 12:00am.

Renewal emails are sent from the NSREC Licensee Portal beginning May 10, with weekly reminders until renewal is completed. If you do not receive a renewal email, contact the Commission.

Completion of CPE courses is tied to renewal. In order to be eligible for licence renewal, you must complete your required CPE course(s) for the year. Even if you pay for your renewal and complete your declaration, if you fail to complete your course(s), your licence will be terminated on July 1.

How to Renew Your Licence

1. Log into the online NSREC Licensee Portal (available on the Commission website or a link will be included in the renewal invoice email.)
2. Click the renewal button on your profile.
3. Respond to the annual declaration questions. 
4. Pay applicable fees.
5. Click Submit. 

After you finish your licence renewal, your payment invoice and updated licence certificate will be available.

Declarations

As part of the licensing renewal process, all licensees must respond to the following declaration questions:

1. In the past 12 months, have you had any license or registration of any kind refused, suspended, or revoked?
2. In the past 12 months have you been employed or are you currently employed in any other business, occupation or profession?
3. In the past 12 months have there been any judgements against you or are there any lawsuits or judgements pending (including Canada Revenue Agency)?
4. In the past 12 months have you discharged a bankruptcy, awaiting discharge or presently a party to bankruptcy proceedings?
5. In the past 12 months, have you been involved as an officer, director or majority shareholder with a corporation that is bankrupt or presently a party to bankruptcy proceedings?
6. In the past 12 months were you charged with or convicted of any criminal offence or any other offence under the law of any country, province or state (excluding provincial or municipal highway traffic offences resulting in points and/or monetary fines only)? Or disciplined by any professional/ occupational body or society?
7. In the past 12 months, have you been licensed under another name than what is listed in this application?

All questions must be answered completely and truthfully.

The Commission may add additional questions to the declaration to survey licensees on relevant topics or issues. Licensees are encouraged to take the time to participate in these elective survey questions and provide feedback, but licensees without an opinion on the matter can select "no" to those questions in order to proceed with their renewal.

Fees

Renewal fees for 2026 are as follows: 

• Salesperson - $381.90 ($335 + HST)
• Associate broker - $381.90 ($335 + HST)
• Managing associate broker - $381.90 ($335 + HST)
• Broker - $438.90 ($385 + HST)
• Approved Sales Corporation - $438.90 ($385 + HST)
• Brokerage - $438.90 ($385 + HST) plus audit fees per by-law 403.
• Branch office - $438.90 ($385 + HST) each

Payment Methods

You may pay your renewal fees by:

• Credit card (visa, mastercard or AMEX, online via the NSREC Licensee Portal) – fastest method (recommended)
• Cheque (mail to the Commission office) – note that processing delays will apply, and your renewal is not complete until payment is received and processed

Licensee Responsibilities

All licensees are responsible for renewing their real estate licence, and if applicable, their approved sales corporation licence. 

Broker Responsibilities

Brokers have additional renewal obligations, including:

• Brokerage licence renewal
• Broker licence renewal
• Branch office licence renewals
• Audit fees
• Approved Sales Corporation renewal (if applicable)

Brokers can use the Brokerage Reports in the NSREC Online Portal to monitor:

• Licence renewal status of all licensees within their brokerage
• CPE completion status
• Outstanding renewal requirements within the brokerage

Approved Sales Corporations Holders are Responsible for Renewing Two Licences 

If you hold an Approved Sales Corporation (ASC), you are responsible for renewing two licences:

• Your individual real estate licence
• Your Approved Sales Corporation licence

Two separate renewal buttons will appear in your profile on the online NSREC Licensee Portal - one for each licence.

How to Confirm Your Licence Renewal

To confirm if you have renewed your licence, look for the following on the Licensee Portal:

• The "renew licence" button(s) are gone.
• No outstanding renewal invoices
• You can view your licence certificate dated for the upcoming year.
• You're no longer receiving the weekly renewal reminders on Monday.

Your broker is also capable of seeing the renewal status of all the licensees within their brokerage. You can ask your broker to check,

If You Are Not Renewing (Retiring, Leaving the Industry, etc.)

If you do not plan to renew your licence due to retirement, leaving the industry, or any other reason, you must terminate your licence before the renewal deadline.

To terminate effective on a future date:
Email a completed Notice of Termination form to the Commission’s Licensing Officer. The form must indicate your final day of trading.

To terminate immediately:
Log into the NSREC Licensee Portal and terminate your licence directly through the portal. Please note that portal terminations take effect immediately — you cannot select a future termination date.

Once your licence is terminated, you must immediately cease all trading activities, including removing signage, advertisements, and social media promotions.

If You Miss the Deadline

If your licence is not renewed by the June 30 deadline, your licence will be automatically terminated at 12:00 a.m. on July 1 and you must immediately stop all trading activity, including taking down signage, advertising, and social media. 

After June 30, the Commission shares a list of any and all licensees who failed to renew their licence or terminate before the deadline. This list of names is published on the Commission's website and distributed via news bulletin, idenifying the licensees as automatically terminated for failure to renew or terminate before the deadline. 

To avoid being included in the non-renewal notice, you must either renew your licence or submit a termination before June 30.

To resume trading, you must apply for reinstatement, pay applicable fees, and wait for your licence to be reissued before resuming activity.

Common Renewal Issues

“I didn’t receive my renewal email." 
Renewal emails are sent automatically starting May 10. Check your spam/junk folders. If you did not receive one, contact the Commission'sThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure the correct email address is on file.

"The renewal email was sent to my old email address." 
Per by-law 412, it's the licensee's responsibility to notify the Commission of a change in email address in writing within 5 days. If you have a new email address, please contact the the Commission'sThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your new email address as soon as possible. Your email will be updated, allowing you access to the Portal. 

"I can't remember my password."
If you don't remember your password, go to the Licensee Portal, click "I forgot my password," and follow the prompts. (Remember the email address is the same one your renewal notice was sent to.)

"Why am I paying more/double for my Approved Sales Corporation?"
An Approved Sales Corporation (ASC) is a separate licence from your individual real estate licence. Like all licences, it expires on June 30 and must be renewed annually. If you hold an ASC, you are renewing—and paying for—two licences:  your individual licence (e.g., salesperson, associate broker, etc.) and your Approved Sales Corporation licence. An ASC is optional and not required to trade in real estate. If you choose not to maintain it, you may terminate the ASC licence; however, you would no longer be able to receive commission income through a corporation.

"Why am I getting a 'pending licensing activity on account' message when I click on the renewal button?"
If you click the Renewal button and receive a "pending licensing activity on account" message it means your renewal invoice is already generated. Click on Invoices in the left menu and click on the ID number of the unpaid invoice to open the invoice and pay your licence fee.

"I just got my licence, why do I have to pay again?"
All real estate licences in Nova Scotia expire on June 30 each year, regardless of when you were first licensed. This means your initial licence fee only covers the period from your licensing date up to June 30. If you become licensed close to the end of the licensing year, your first term may be relatively short. To remain licensed after June 30, you must complete the annual renewal process and pay the renewal fee, the same as all other licensees.

“I just went from Salesperson to Managing Associate Broker—why do I have to pay twice?”
When you change licence classes, you are upgrading your existing licence which is still expiring on June 30, and a fee is charged for that change. This is separate from your annual renewal fee, which is still required to maintain your licence beyond June 30. If you upgrade close to the end of the licensing year, it can feel like you’re “paying twice” in a short period of time. In reality, all licensees who upgrade their licence class pay the same total amount—the only difference is timing.