Based on the RESA Law IRR (RA 9646), the results should be released within ten (10) days.

As soon as we get hold of the results, we will publish the information online. In the meantime, good luck to all aspiring real estate brokers!

When you hear of difficulties, delays, errors, or mind-boggling questions, please RELAX.

Remember: You are not the only one affected, because a lot of you took the exam.

So instead of getting angry or stressed, please relax, pray, and trust that the PRC examiners will take all these factors into consideration. Please relax and wait for the examiners to make an official announcement.

Now after they make the appropriate announcement, then that’s the time you can adjust and make a professional response. And not a second before.

In previous years, a lot of people were understandably upset about the REB Exam questions on Ecology. Fortunately, there are also a lot of people who waited for the results to be announced first.

If memory serves us right, the percentage of those who passed the REB Exam was one of the highest in the history of real estate brokers’ licensure exams.

Now for those who wish to get updates about review classes for the REB Exams in the future, please send email to:

REBReviewClass@aweber.com

Here’s wishing everyone the best of luck in the March 18, 2012 Real Estate Brokers’ Exams!

People who are interested in preparing for the Real Estate Brokers’ Licensure Examinations will need to qualify first, by complying with the following requirements:

SEC. 14. Qualification of Applicants for Examinations. In order to be admitted to the licensure examination for real estate service, a candidate at the time of filing his/her application, shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she possesses the following qualifications:

(a) A citizen of the Philippines;

(b) A holder of a relevant bachelor’s degree from a state university or college, or other educational institution duly recognized by the CHED: Provided, That he/she has completed at least one hundred twenty (120) credit units of real estate subjects and training from accredited service providers, as may be determined by the Board; Provided, further, That as soon as a course leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Service is implemented by the CHED, the Board shall make this course a requirement for taking the licensure examination.

(c) Is of good moral character, and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.

(d) An applicant for the licensure examination for real estate consultants must show proof that he/she has at least ten (10) years experience as a licensed real estate broker, or an assessor, or as a bank, or institutional appraiser or an employed person performing real property valuation, or at least five (5) years experience as a licensed real estate appraiser.

All applications for examination shall be filed with the Board which shall assess and approve said applications and issue to the qualified examinees the corresponding permits or notices of admission to take such examination upon submission of the following documents.

1. Original and photocopy of Birth Certificate or Certificate of Live Birth (NSO) and / or valid Philippine passport, or any other proof of citizenship,
2. Original and photocopy of transcript of records (TOR) and / or diploma with scanned picture,
3. NOTE: This is not included in the original RESA Law, but we heard that an additional requirement is that your TOR should be stamped with “For Board Examination Purpose Only”
4. Original and photocopy of notarized certification by employer of his/her years of experience or pre-requisite. Certificate of Registration (COR) and / or Professional Identification Card (PIC) or DTI license (for real estate consultants),
5. Original and photocopy of NBI clearance,
6. Original and photocopy of duly notarized accredited seminar and / or training certificate,
7. Community tax certificate,
8. Four (4) colored passport size pictures with white background and complete nametag and other documents in accordance with the requirements of this provision.

TIP: When you avail of the Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review (CRESAR) sessions offered by accredited real estate review service providers, please check with them if they can help you file your application for the PRC exam.

In some cases, they will assist you for a nominal fee. This will help save you TIME.

At the moment, we are waiting for accredited review service providers to announce the pricing, venue location, and when they will hold their upcoming CRESARs. As soon as we get that info, we will post it online.

We are also waiting for clarifications from the PRC regarding the “at least one hundred twenty (120) credit units of real estate subjects and training from accredited service providers”, because it is not clear if they mean 120 hours.

Prior to the passage of the RESA Law, the DTI required 24 credit units, or 24 hours of CRESAR sessions. Before July 2009, those 24 CRESAR hours cost anywhere from P3,500 to P4,500.

To get the details for the two remaining face-to-face REB Exam Review classes in February 2012, please send an email to:

REBReviewClass@aweber.com

Please hurry because slots are LIMITED.

The 60-hour Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review (CRESAR) weekday and weekend batches will be conducted in Metro Manila. Tentative venue is Quezon City. Price is P10,000.

Please note that these CRESARs are face-to-face review classes. These are different from the supplementary RESAR Online Review.

To the get updates as quickly as possible (via email), please join the Real Estate Appraisers Exam Review Classes announcement list.

Simply send an email to: REAReviewClass@aweber.com

Then, wait for the “Response Reqd: Pls confirm your request for information” email to appear in your inbox.

Open that request for confirmation, then click on the underlined Confirmation Link and you will be added to the strictly-for-announcement email list.

NOTE: We do not have an online review for real estate appraisers at this time.

What does this mean, especially for people who did not graduate with a degree in BS REM?

First of all, we would like to thank the Cesar E. Santos Real Estate Academy for alerting us about CMO No. 28. We’re certain that people are getting stressed, especially since the RESA Law IRR (RA 9646) talks about requirements you need to fulfill before you may take the Real Estate Brokers’ Exam.

In RA 9646, you need to be a college graduate… until such time that there is a course on real estate.

Well, what happens now that the CHED has published CMO No. 28 and describes the BS REM course?

Question #1: Which schools are going to offer the BS REM course starting June 2012?

We will publish it here as soon as we get the info.

Question #2: Does this mean the PRC will not conduct Real Estate Brokers’ Licensure Exams between now and the year 2016, when we will have the first batch of BS REM graduates?

We do not speak for the PRC. Our educated guess is, the PRC will not close the Examination Room doors for four (4) long years, because people will complain.

Question #3: I’m already a college graduate, but I want to become a licensed real estate broker. Do I need to enroll in this 4-year course? What, I need to go back to college again?!

First of all, RELAX.

Let’s have a look at the curriculum…



If you look at the pie chart above, you’ll notice the breakdown of the 164 units (BS REM).

Please take note that there are units that you may have already earned in your first college degree:

• General Education (51 units)
• Basic Business (21)
• Management Education Core (18)
• Real Estate Professional Courses (39)
• Fundamentals of Real Estate Management
• Real Estate Marketing and Brokerage
• Legal Aspects of Real Estate
• Real Estate Consulting
• Real Estate Planning and Development
• Real Estate Appraisal and Property Management
• Real Estate Consulting and Investment Analysis
• Principles of Ecology
• Appraisal and Assessment in the Government Sector
• Property Management System
• Real Estate Finance
• Ethical Standards for Real Estate Practice
• Real Estate Economics
• Electives (15)
• Human and Physical Geography
• Real Estate Brokerage
• Housing and Subdivision Development
• Consulting for Specific Engagements
• Condominium Concept and Other Specialized Development
• Internet Technology in Real Estate
• Practicum (6)
• PE/NSTP (16)

From the above, you can see that the main course is 39 units. Or about two semesters (with one overloaded sem: 18 units in the first sem, 21 units in the second sem).

Of course, we cannot assume that those first 18 units will all be available in the 1st sem. Neither can we assume that the remaining 21 units will all be available in the 2nd sem.

Which means…

It may take you more than 1 year to complete those 39 units Real Estate Professional core subjects.

Question #4: I don’t have time to invest more than 1 year of life for the REB Exam. What can I do?

There’s going to be a 120-hour Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review (CRESAR) that will begin on Friday, November 25, 2011. The venue is Makati City, and the cost is only P20,000.

Slots are very LIMITED, so you will need to deposit P6,000 to secure your seat.

If you would like more information on how to reserve your slot in the November 2011 CRESAR, please email your Full Name and Contact Number to RealEstateSeminarAndReview@GMail.com (please place in the subject line CRESARNov2011).

You need to earn 120 units in real estate subjects, and some people are complying with this requirement by attending a 120-hour, face-to-face CRESAR. They will get a notarized Certificate of Attendance, which they can then present to the PRC when they apply for an Examination Permit for the upcoming Real Estate Brokers’ Licensure Examinations.

We haven’t seen any official PRC announcement. All we’ve seen are various CRESAR service providers talking about a March 18, 2012 REB Exam.

To help you reduce your stress, improve your understanding of real estate concepts, and remember the information longer, we invite you to join the RESAR Online Review.

This will help boost your confidence, as well as reveal to you techniques that other people use to help you score higher in the REB Exam.

For more info, please join the RESAR Online Review Announcement List for more details. Simply type in your Full Name and Email Address in the subscribe box.

1. Read all the materials at least 10 times. When you read, please take down notes.

2. Invest three (3) hours daily on your studies, so that you won’t cram at the last minute. Avoid studying more than four (4) hours daily, because it is not productive.

NOTE: Take frequent breaks. Do not study for 3 hours straight.

3. Take *each* online quiz at least two times each week.

4. In the month before the actual Real Estate Brokers’ Exam month, take each online quiz four times each week.

5. In the face-to-face review, take down notes and ask your CRESAR speaker to clarify the things you did not understand.

6. Between today and the month of the REB Exam, please avoid watching TV. The sacrifice is worth it.

7. In the three days just before the REB Exams, please REST.

Ideally, as early as two months before the REB Exams, please get 7 hours of sleep daily. If, for example, you only got 6 hours of sleep the night before, try to sneak in two 30-minute naps during the day so that your DAILY total is 7 hours of sleep.

We’ve seen that when people take the review seriously, they are able to pass the REB Exam.

Here’s a sample weekly study schedule you can use when you review for the REB Exams over a period of 8 weeks (Total – 153 hours and 20 minutes):

The numbers above are in minutes.

In the table above, you’ll see that the recommended study time for Thursday is 200 minutes. Actually, if you listen to Audio 1 and read Reading 14 (Terminologies / Glossary) simultaneously, you can save 20 minutes and thus end up with a review time of 180 minutes for Thursday.

If you’re unable to set aside 3 hours a day for your studies, that simply means you will need to start studying earlier to avoid cramming at the last minute.

For example, cut the schedule in half, but study over a 16-week period.

Again, please take note that the above is just an EXAMPLE.

After all, not everyone will be aiming for the Top 10.

Just the same, we still encourage you to aim for a score high enough to make it to the Top 10.

That way, even if life’s emergencies interfere with your study schedule, you’ll still pass the Real Estate Brokers’ Licensure Exams because you aimed high (and took action) right from the very beginning.

Here’s how you can get info about a CRESAR that will be held in Davao City in November 2011..

We heard that the Davao City Association of Real Estate Practitioners, Inc. (DACAREPI) will hold a review seminar for aspiring real estate brokers starting November 5, 2011.

This schedule is tentative, because they are still in the process of finding out how many people are interested in joining.

For details, please get in touch with Mrs. Kayking Pajes of Davao City via 0927 685 7252.

Question: Is this CRESAR review service provider accredited by the PRC?

We don’t know. It would be best if you get in touch with DACAREPI.

Please note that we haven’t seen any official PRC List of Accredited REB Exam Review Service Providers.

We have info, however, of people whose Certificates of Attendance issued by review service providers were accepted by the PRC during the application for the Examination Permit.

This info is given inside the RESAR Online Review members’ area, to help you save time on your due diligence activities.

The following was excerpted from the PRB-RES Memorandum Circular NO. 2011-04:

2. Crediting of Hours. The requirement of 120 hours seminar and trainings is complied with in support of their respective applications, as follows:

a. Sixty (60) hours lecture, classroom and/or seminar hours on real estate subjects and/or modulces may include, but not limited to:

i. FOR APPLICANTS FOR THE BOARD LICENSURE EXAMINATION: must be a graduate of a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement. A master’s degree, law or Doctoral degrees may be credited a maximum of 15 points provided it is relevant to real estate service. Attendance in a continuing professional education in a (sic) real estate seminars, trainings, lectures, conventions and workshops with equivalent numbers of hours earned.

…

iv. FOR APPLICANTS FOR ACCREDITATION OF REAL ESTATE SALESPERSONS: credit units/hours earned in any Continuing Education Program (CEP) for the years 2007 and thereafter under Ministry Order No. 39 as amended by DAO No. 6, Series of 1994 and DAO No. 3, Series of 1999 of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); credit units/hours earned in any accredited seminars, trainings, lectures, conventions, and workshop of an accredited service provider; credit units/hours earned in any Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program offered by an accredited service provider.

b. Sixty (60) hours of on-the-job training, apprenticeship and/or workshop as certified and subscribed by the following:

i. Registered and licensed real estate brokers, appraisers and/or consultants with at least 5 years of real estate practice.

ii. Duly licensed and registered real estate developers / employer in good standing with HLURB and other government agencies.

iii. Provinbcial, city, and municipal assessors and other government appraisers; and

iv. Accredited service providers for workshops / seminars attended as formal seminars, trainings, lectures, conventions and workshops organized and offered thereby.

v. Provided further, that all those mentioned under b-i, ii, iii, iv must submit to the satisfaction of the Board,

a. Registration with the DTI / SEC
b. Certificate of good standing with their respective government agencies

c. The applicant, however, may opt to take the full 120 hours thru seminars, trainings, and workshops, as the case may be.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an applicant shall be deemed to have satisfied and complied with the required hours upon submission of a notarized certification that he/she has attended seminars, training, lectures, conventions and workshops and/or lectures for a total of full 120 hours as stated in paragraph 2(a) hereof.

(b) Forms and Certificates. Any form or certificate indicating the details of the foregoing may be accepted if it is duly notarized.

Strict compliance herewith is hereby enjoined.

January 20, 2011
Manila, Philippines

(SGD) Eduardo G. Ong, Ph. D., DBA, DPA
Chairman
Board of Real Estate Service

Noted by:

(SGD) Hon. Teresita R. Manzala
Chairperson

Has anyone found the website of the PRB-RES, where they have archived all their Memorandum Circulars?

We hope this helps answer your questions of whether you need 60 hours or 120 hours, especially now that Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review or CRESAR service providers are offering 60-hour reviews for those preparing for the REB Exam.

Please budget around P10,000 (net of taxes) for the 60 units real estate brokers’ exam review.

Yes, the RESA Law IRR (RA 9646) requires that you earn 120 units in real estate subjects before the PRC will allow you to take the REB exam.

You may attend another batch of the CRESAR, so the two CRESARs will earn you 120 hours. You may also look into the possibility of attending one 60-hour CRESAR and getting 60 hours of real estate brokerage experience with a licensed broker or a real estate developer.

IMPORTANT: Slots are LIMITED.

While we haven’t seen any official PRC announcement regarding the next Real Estate Brokers’ Exam, and since we’ve been hearing different rumors of a November 2011, then January 2012, and now a March 2012 REB Exam, it still makes sense for you to get your needed training and Certificate of Attendance, via a face-to-face Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar and Review or CRESAR.

Please take note that the last REB Exam was conducted by the PRC in March 2011, so it is reasonable to assume that the next exam will be held no later than March 2012.

Are you interested in reserving your slot in the next CRESAR in Makati? All you need is P3,000 to reserve your slot.

Please email your Name and Mobile Number to realestateseminarandreview@gmail.com right away, because the Makati venue can accommodate only 40 people.

Good luck to all aspiring licensed Real Estate Brokers!