A RERA license is the legal gateway into Dubai's real estate industry. Without it, you cannot legally sell, lease, manage, or advertise property in the emirate - no matter how experienced you are or which company you work for. Operating without one carries fines of up to AED 50,000 under Dubai Law No. 85 of 2006.
This guide covers exactly what a RERA license is, who needs one, the real 2026 costs (reconciled against the most current sources, since fee figures online vary wildly), the step-by-step process, and the distinctions between individual, company, and developer registration that most guides blur together.
Key Takeaways
- A RERA license (broker card) is a mandatory individual certification for anyone selling, leasing, or managing property in Dubai - separate from any company trade license.
- Total cost for an individual agent typically ranges from AED 6,000 to AED 12,000, covering DREI training, the RERA exam, and the broker card registration fee.
- The AED 5,000 bank guarantee once required for brokerages was abolished in 2024, lowering the entry cost for new brokerage firms.
- Dubai recorded over AED 917 billion in real estate transactions in 2025, with 32,294 registered brokers and 13,083 newly licensed brokers that year - the market these licenses grant access to is at an all-time high.
- Company registration (trade license plus RERA company registration) is a separate requirement from the individual broker card - both are needed to legally operate a brokerage.
- Property developers follow an entirely different registration path, with a separate AED 25,000 DLD registration fee and escrow/Oqood compliance obligations.
- RERA licenses must be renewed annually, including at least 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per RERA Circular 15/2024.
- Overseas agents referring international buyers into Dubai projects can register under RERA's International Broker License - a separate, less-discussed category.
What Is a RERA License in Dubai?
RERA (the Real Estate Regulatory Agency) is the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), established under Dubai Law No. 85 of 2006. A RERA license - most commonly referring to the individual Broker Card - is the certification that authorises a person to legally act as a real estate broker, agent, or property consultant in Dubai.
RERA maintains the Broker Registration System (BRS), the authoritative database of every licensed agent in the emirate. If an agent's name isn't listed there, they are not legally permitted to facilitate a property transaction, regardless of who they claim to represent.
RERA vs DLD: What's the Difference?
- Dubai Land Department (DLD): the government entity responsible for property registration, title deeds, and ownership transfers across Dubai.
- RERA: the regulatory division within DLD that licenses and oversees the people and companies operating in the market - brokers, developers, and property management firms.
- In short: DLD handles the paperwork and legal record of a property; RERA handles who is allowed to operate around that property.
Individual Broker Card vs Company Registration
This is one of the most commonly confused parts of the process. A RERA license actually covers two separate things, and most guides don't clearly separate them:
- Individual Broker Card: tied to a specific person, earned by completing DREI training and passing the RERA exam. Every agent at a brokerage - even if the company already holds a trade license - must hold their own card to legally transact.
- Company Registration: a business needs its own trade license (from DET or a free zone) plus RERA company registration to operate as a brokerage. A company's trade license does not, by itself, authorise any individual employee to sell or lease property - each agent still needs a personal broker card.
A five-person brokerage in Business Bay, for example, needs one company-level trade license and RERA registration, plus five separate broker cards - one per agent.
Eligibility Requirements for a RERA License
- Minimum age of 21.
- A valid UAE residence visa - tourist or visit visas do not qualify. Expats are typically sponsored by the brokerage they'll work under, or by their own company if setting up independently.
- At least a high school diploma or equivalent - a bachelor's degree is not mandatory, though it does lower the RERA exam fee.
- A clean Police Clearance / Good Conduct Certificate.
- Completion of the mandatory DREI (Dubai Real Estate Institute) training course.
- A pass mark on the RERA exam, generally 70-75% depending on the current requirement.
RERA License Cost in Dubai (2026 Breakdown)
Cost figures vary significantly across different sources online - largely because older articles haven't been updated since 2024's fee and requirement changes. Here is a reconciled breakdown based on the most current 2026 sources:
| Cost Component | Typical Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| DREI training course (CTRB) | 2,500 - 5,000 |
| RERA exam fee (degree holder) | 3,200 |
| RERA exam fee (non-degree holder) | 6,300 |
| Broker card / registration fee | 5,020 per year |
| Good Conduct / police clearance certificate | 220 |
| Knowledge & Innovation fees | 20 - 40 |
| Total for an individual agent | 6,000 - 12,000 |
| Company trade license (if setting up independently) | 12,500 - 25,000+ |
| Annual CPD renewal training | 500 - 1,000 |
| Broker card renewal (annual) | 5,000 - 6,000 |
If you're joining an existing brokerage as an employee, many companies cover part or all of the training and exam costs as part of onboarding. If you're setting up your own brokerage, budget for the company trade license and RERA company registration on top of your personal broker card costs.
How to Get a RERA License in Dubai - Step by Step
Step 1: Secure a UAE Residence Visa
If you're an expat, you'll need residency sponsored either by a licensed brokerage or your own company. UAE and GCC nationals can proceed directly.
Step 2: Register Your Trade License (If Setting Up Independently)
If you're joining an established brokerage, this step is handled by your employer. If you're starting your own real estate business, you'll need a DET or free zone trade license covering a real estate brokerage activity before proceeding.
Step 3: Enrol in DREI Training
Complete the mandatory Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers (CTRB) course at the Dubai Real Estate Institute, available in-person or online, in English or Arabic. The course runs 4 days and covers Dubai real estate law, ethics, contracts, and brokerage regulations.
Step 4: Pass the RERA Exam
After training, sit the computer-based RERA exam testing your knowledge of local property law and brokerage practice. Results are typically issued within 1-2 business days.
Step 5: Submit Your Application via Trakheesi
Upload your passport copy, Emirates ID, residence visa, DREI completion certificate, exam results, and police clearance certificate through the Trakheesi system.
Step 6: Pay Fees and Receive Your Broker Card
Once approved, pay the registration fee to receive your official RERA Broker Card - your authorisation to legally list, sell, lease, or manage property in Dubai.
RERA License for Developers (How It Differs)
Property developers follow a distinct registration path from brokers, with its own requirements and fees:
- A DET trade license specifically covering property development activity - a general commercial or investment license does not qualify.
- RERA developer registration through the Trakheesi portal, with a separate registration fee of AED 25,000.
- Mandatory escrow account registration for any project sold off-plan, with regular reporting to RERA on inflows and outflows.
- Per-project Oqood registration - the DLD's interim property register - before any off-plan sales contract can collect payment from a buyer.
Total cost for the full developer licensing path - DET trade license plus RERA developer registration - typically runs to approximately AED 37,000, separate from any individual broker card costs for sales staff.
International Broker License: RERA's Overseas Agent Route
A category most guides don't cover at all: RERA offers a distinct registration route for overseas real estate agents and agencies who refer international buyers into Dubai projects without being based in the UAE themselves. This allows an agent operating from another country to legally introduce buyers to Dubai developments and earn commission on qualifying transactions, without needing UAE residency or a local trade license of their own.
This route typically involves registering directly with RERA or through a partnership agreement with a Dubai-based developer or brokerage that is already RERA-registered, rather than sitting the same DREI course and exam required of UAE-resident brokers. Requirements and partnership structures vary by developer, so it's worth confirming the specific registration path directly with RERA or a licensed Dubai consultancy before representing any project internationally.
Renewing Your RERA License & CPD Requirements
A RERA Broker Card is valid for one year and must be renewed before expiry to avoid a lapse in your legal ability to practice. Renewal requirements include:
- Completion of at least 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training per year, under RERA Circular 15/2024.
- Updated Emirates ID and residence visa documentation.
- Payment of the renewal fee, typically AED 5,000 to 6,000.
Renewing at least 60 days before your card's expiry date is the safest way to avoid any gap in your ability to legally transact.
How to Verify a RERA License Number
Every registered broker is issued a unique RERA license number, recorded in the Broker Registration System (BRS). Clients, landlords, and developers can verify any agent's status - active, expired, or suspended - directly through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website, by searching the agent's name or license number. Always verify an agent's RERA number before engaging them for a property transaction; this single check confirms whether they are legally authorised to represent you.
Benefits of Holding a RERA License
- Legal authorisation - the only way to legally sell, lease, or manage property in Dubai without risking fines of up to AED 50,000.
- Client trust - clients and investors increasingly check an agent's RERA status before engaging them, given how easy verification has become through the REST app.
- Access to RERA's official systems - including Trakheesi for advertising permits and Ejari for tenancy registration, both of which are inaccessible without a valid license.
- Career and business growth - with Dubai's brokerage commissions reaching AED 13.59 billion in 2025, a 31% increase year-on-year, licensed brokers are positioned to benefit directly from the market's growth.
Get Your RERA License Set Up with Takween Advisory
Takween Advisory helps individuals and companies navigate the complete RERA licensing journey - from trade license setup and DREI training coordination through exam preparation guidance and Trakheesi application submission. We also support brokerage company registration, developer registration, and ongoing CPD renewal tracking.
For a transparent, itemised quote with no hidden charges, book a free consultation with our team today. You can also explore our full range of business setup services, including support for commercial license Dubai if you're setting up a new brokerage from scratch.