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Continuing Education for Mortgage Brokers
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Mortgage brokers in B.C. are required to complete mandatory continuing education courses as part of their two-year registration cycle. Continuing education helps ensure that all mortgage brokers keep their skills and knowledge up to date in order to continue providing a high level of service to consumers.
Updates to Continuing Education Requirements
BCFSA is introducing changes to required continuing education for mortgage brokers in response to industry feedback for more timely, relevant, and practical learning experiences. Updates began with the introduction of the Anti-Money Laundering for Mortgage Brokers course in April 2022 and changes will continue to be phased in through 2023 and 2024.
Effective April 1, 2023, Legal Update, a new course developed and delivered by BCFSA, will replace the Regulatory Update course provided by the Mortgage Brokers Institute of British Columbia (“MBIBC”) as a required course for registration renewal or reinstatement.
Learn more about changes to continuing education requirements:
- Deepen Your Expertise: New Mortgage Broker Continuing Education
- Regulatory Statement
- Regulatory Advisory
What These Changes Mean for You
To renew or reinstate your registration on or before March 31, 2023
Mortgage brokers will need to complete:
- Regulatory Update for Mortgage Brokers from MBIBC
- Anti-Money Laundering for Mortgage Brokers from MBIBC
- One Registrar Approved module from MBIBC or Mortgage Professionals Canada
Introducing the Legal Update Course
Updated annually, BCFSA’s Legal Update is a comprehensive learning experience that includes an online, self-paced component followed by a one-day virtual classroom session led by an experienced and knowledgeable instructor. Students can customize the course to their professional needs and interests by selecting two elective modules in addition to four mandatory modules for mortgage brokers.
The online component of the course must be completed at least one week before the virtual classroom component. There are quizzes and evaluations to ensure that you thoroughly understand the material before going on to a new section. In most cases, it will likely take a total of 10-15 hours to complete the online self-paced component of the course. The virtual classroom component is a full-day, 5 hour session with interactive opportunities and group discussions to deepen knowledge.
BCFSA strongly recommends that you begin the Legal Update course at least 8 weeks in advance of your expiry date, to ensure that you have ample time to complete the course and submit your renewal application.
Learn More about Legal Update, including course costs and module topicsPlease contact BCFSA’s Education Team directly for answers to any questions about registration or courses.
BCFSA encourages mortgage brokers to continue their pursuit of professional development by completing additional continuing education through professional associations including the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association — British Columbia, Mortgage Brokers Institute of BC, and Mortgage Professionals Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
This change is in response to industry feedback for more timely, relevant, and practical learning experiences. Regular reviews and updates of mortgage broker educational programs ensure that all requirements are standardized and modernized, transforming the modular education model with a more robust, blended learning environment.
With the integration of financial services sector regulation under BCFSA, there is an opportunity for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the mortgage brokers’ education program by bringing it in-house to create consistent cross-sector education.
BCFSA is also able to respond to industry feedback, having direct impact on the development of basic competencies and regulatory knowledge to enhance practice and prevent market misconduct.
Mortgage Broker industry associations will continue to provide valuable professional development courses.
Yes, you will need to take Legal Update and Anti-Money Laundering for Mortgage Brokers from MBIBC to renew your registration if it is after April 1, 2023.
If you are a registered mortgage broker and licensed to provide real estate services, you are only required to complete one Legal Update course before applying for registration renewal.
You must register for the Legal Update course online through BCFSA’s website. At the time you register, you will need your business authorization number to ensure you are properly registered for the course. You will then choose a classroom session for a date and time that is convenient for you. Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive access to the online component of the course through the UBC Sauder School of Business website.
Expect to receive three continuing education reminder emails from BCFSA leading up to your registration expiry date, with the registration link. These emails will ensure you have completed the Legal Update course before your renewal date. You can expect to receive your first reminder notice from us 12 months ahead of your registration expiry date, ensuring that you have lots of time to complete the required course. Further reminders will be sent six and four months ahead of your registration expiry date.
Legal Update 2023 launched at the beginning of January 2023 and mortgage brokers may register and begin taking the course now. If your registration expires between April 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023, you will be provided with the registration information in advance, providing you with ample time to complete the course and submit your registration renewal application.
If you do not successfully complete the appropriate Legal Update course by the time your renewal application is due, your mortgage broker registration will not be renewed.
BCFSA encourages mortgage brokers to continue their pursuit of professional development by completing additional continuing education through professional associations including the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association — British Columbia, Mortgage Brokers Institute of BC, and Mortgage Professionals Canada. These courses, however, will not satisfy BCFSA renewal education requirements.
For questions about registration, relicensing requirements, or renewal applications, contact BCFSA’s Education Department by email at [email protected].