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What Is the RERA Professional Practice Card and Who Needs One
The professional practice card is an electronic credential issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) through its regulatory arm, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). The card authorises a named individual to perform a specific real estate activity in the emirate. No person may practise any real estate activity conducted under a trade licence without obtaining the corresponding professional practice card.
Bylaw No. (85) of 2006 Regulating the Real Estate Brokers Register in the Emirate of Dubai established the legal framework governing broker registration, licensing categories, and professional conduct. The bylaw prohibits any individual or firm from engaging in real estate brokerage without valid registration in the brokers register maintained by RERA. Additional professional categories are regulated by the DLD.
The card validity period is linked to the validity of the holder's trade licence. Once the trade licence expires, the practice card becomes invalid and the holder is no longer authorised to transact.
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Eligibility Requirements for the RERA Professional Practice Card
The DLD sets specific conditions that every applicant must satisfy before a card can be issued.
- The applicant must hold a valid UAE residence visa sponsored by the employing real estate company.
- The residence visa must be sponsored by the same company holding the trade licence under which the card is being requested.
- A certificate of good conduct issued by Dubai Police is required for all applicants.
- The applicant must have passed the annual RERA broker examination required for card issuance and renewal.
- The examination is administered through the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI) or an approved training provider.
The examination tests knowledge of Dubai's real estate laws, ethical standards, and transactional procedures.
Exemptions from the Broker Examination
The DLD grants examination exemptions in three cases. Individuals above 55 years of age are exempt. Brokers who have completed five consecutive years of service in the same real estate office are also exempt. Holders of a start-up licence (رخصة انطلاق) are exempt from examination attendance.
Additional Requirements for Evaluator Cards
Applicants for a real estate evaluator card must provide a certificate of valuation experience — a minimum of two years for UAE nationals and five years for expatriates. For a trainee evaluator card, the applicant must have completed at least one year of training at an office approved by RERA.
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How to Apply for a RERA Professional Practice Card
Applications are submitted electronically through the Trakheesi system, the DLD's official licensing platform for real estate activities. The Dubai REST application also supports the submission process.
Step 1 — Complete RERA-Certified Training
Before sitting the examination, the applicant must complete the Real Estate Certified Training Course. The course is delivered by RERA-approved training providers. It covers Dubai's real estate legal frameTraining duration typically ranges from two to four days depending on the provider and course format. Both online and in-person options are available.
Step 2 — Pass the RERA Broker Examination
Upon completing the training, the applicant registers for the RERA examination through the DLD portal. The examination fee is AED 700, plus a knowledge fee of AED 10 and an innovation fee of AED 10. An Examination and Real Estate Studies (ERES) fee of AED 50 plus VAT also applies. The passing score is 75%. Applicants who do not pass must re-register and pay the examination fee again before reattempting.
Step 3 — Submit the Application Through Trakheesi
The applicant logs in to the Trakheesi system and selects the professional practice card issuance service. The required documents are uploaded, and the application form is completed and submitted electronically.
Step 4 — DLD Review and Approval
The DLD reviews the submitted application and supporting documents. Once approved, an acceptance notification is issued through the system.
Step 5 — Payment and Card Issuance
The applicant logs in again, selects the payment method (credit card, e-Dirham, or Noqodi), and pays the applicable fee. The electronic card (e-card) is generated immediately and can be printed directly from the system. According to the DLD, processing time from submission to issuance is approximately five minutes once approval is granted.
EGSH, an authorised DLD Real Estate Services Trustee Centre, processes professional practice card applications on behalf of real estate companies and individual practitioners, managing document verification, Trakheesi submission, and fee payment to ensure the card is issued without delays.
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How to Renew a RERA Professional Practice Card
The professional practice card must be renewed annually. The DLD requires brokers to register for the renewal examination at least one month before the card expiry date. Failure to register within this period may result in the broker being required to retake the full DREI training course before renewal can proceed.
Any licence that has been expired for six or more months is subject to cancellation by RERA, requiring the holder to restart the entire registration process from scratch.
Renewal Process
The renewal procedure mirrors the initial application. The applicant logs in to the Trakheesi system, selects the professional practice card renewal service, uploads updated documents, and pays the renewal fee. The DLD audits the submission and, once approved, issues a renewed e-card.
Renewal Documents
The renewal application requires a copy of a valid passport and visa, a copy of a valid Emirates ID, a recent personal photograph, the existing practice card, and an updated no-objection certificate (NOC) from the employer where applicable. The RERA examination must have been passed within the current renewal cycle.
Renewal Fees
Renewal fees follow the same schedule as issuance fees — AED 520 for standard card categories and AED 5,020 for real estate evaluator cards.
How to Cancel a RERA Professional Practice Card
Cancellation of a professional practice card removes the holder's registration from the DLD brokers register. The card cancellation service applies to all thirteen card categories and is processed through the Trakheesi system.
Cancellation Conditions
Expatriate cardholders must submit a copy of the employment visa cancellation or provide evidence that the residency profession has been changed. The residency permit must be cancelled or amended before the card cancellation application can be finalised.
Cancellation Process
The applicant logs in to the Trakheesi system and selects the card cancellation service. The required documents are attached, and the application is submitted electronically. The DLD reviews the application within approximately eight working hours. Upon approval, an official card revocation notice is sent by email.
Cancellation Fee
The professional practice card cancellation service is free of charge.
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Compliance Obligations for Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Holding a valid professional practice card carries ongoing obligations under Bylaw No. (85) of 2006 and subsequent RERA circulars.
All brokerage agreements must be registered with the DLD through the Trakheesi system using the standardised forms: Form A (agreement between broker and seller), Form B (agreement between broker and buyer), and Form F (agreement between buyer and seller). Commission payments are governed by the terms of the registered brokerage agreement. A broker who does not successfully conclude a transaction is not entitled to claim compensation or expenses unless otherwise agreed in the brokerage agreement.
Every property advertisement must carry a valid Trakheesi permit number. Advertising without a permit is subject to fines and potential suspension of the broker's activities. According to the DLD, each property is limited to a maximum of three concurrent broker listings
RERA classifies brokerage offices and individual brokers using a star-rating system. Maintaining high compliance standards directly affects a broker's classification and market standing.
The Permanent Real Estate Brokerage Committee has the authority to issue cautions, suspend brokerage activities for up to six months, or recommend licence cancellation for violations of the bylaw or the RERA code of professional ethics.
How to Verify a RERA Broker Card
Property buyers and sellers can verify whether an individual broker holds a valid practice card through the DLD's e-card verification service. The verification confirms the card holder's registration number, the employing brokerage company, the card validity period, and the approved activity category. Checking a broker's registration status before entering into any brokerage agreement is standard practice in the Dubai market.
EGSH Professional Practice Card Services for Real Estate Companies
EGSH is an authorised DLD Real Estate Services Trustee Centre providing end-to-end real estate licensing and card management services for brokerage firms. The centre handles the full lifecycle of RERA professional practice cards — from initial issuance through annual renewal to cancellation — through direct integration with DLD and RERA systems via Trakheesi. Real estate companies with multiple licensed agents can manage all card applications through a single point of contact, ensuring compliance across all licensed agents. For an overview of how authorised trustee centres support brokerage firms with DLD services, companies can consult EGSH directly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a RERA professional practice card in Dubai?
A RERA professional practice card is an electronic credential issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) that authorises an individual to perform a specific real estate activity in Dubai. The card is mandatory for brokers, consultants, evaluators, mortgage brokers, property managers, and other professionals operating under a licensed real estate company. The card is governed by Bylaw No. (85) of 2006 Regulating the Real Estate Brokers Register in the Emirate of Dubai.
How much does a RERA broker card cost in Dubai?
The issuance fee for a standard RERA broker card is AED 500, plus a knowledge fee of AED 10 and an innovation fee of AED 10, totalling AED 520. The real estate evaluator card carries a higher fee of AED 5,020. The RERA examination fee of AED 700 (plus AED 10 knowledge fee, AED 10 innovation fee, and AED 50 ERES fee plus VAT) is payable separately.
How long is the RERA professional practice card valid?
The card validity is linked to the validity of the holder's trade licence. The DLD requires annual renewal through the Trakheesi system. Brokers must register for the renewal examination at least one month before the card expires. A card that has been expired for six months or more is subject to cancellation.
Can I get a RERA broker card without passing the examination?
The DLD grants examination exemptions in three cases: individuals above 55 years of age, brokers with five consecutive years of service in the same real estate office, and holders of a start-up licence. All other applicants must pass the RERA examination with a minimum score of 75%.
What happens if my RERA practice card expires?
An expired card means the holder is no longer authorised to complete property transactions, represent clients, or advertise properties. The DLD requires brokers to renew before expiry. If the card remains expired for six months or more, RERA may cancel the registration, and the individual must restart the entire certification process including training and examination.
Is the RERA practice card cancellation free?
The professional practice card cancellation service is free of charge. Cancellation requests are submitted through the Trakheesi system and processed within approximately eight working hours. Expatriate cardholders must submit evidence of visa cancellation or profession change before the card can be cancelled.
Can I work as a freelance real estate agent in Dubai?
Dubai does not permit real estate agents to operate as freelancers. Every licensed professional must be affiliated with a registered real estate company holding a valid trade licence with brokerage activity approved by the DLD. The professional practice card is issued against the employing company's licence.
Explained by
Randa Sameer
Real Estate Services Trustee Consultant at EGSH
Randa Sameer has over three years of experience supporting Dubai Land Department transactions and real estate registrations. Her professional focus includes compliance with DLD regulations, ownership transfers, and trustee documentation.
Official Sources and References
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) — the primary authority responsible for real estate registration, regulation, and licensing in Dubai.
- Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) — the regulatory arm of DLD overseeing the licensing of real estate professionals, brokerage compliance, and market conduct standards.
- Dubai Legislation Portal — the official repository for Dubai emirate-level legislation including Bylaw No. (85) of 2006 and related real estate regulations.
Important Notice
The information in this article is current at the time of publication. Government fees, processing times, examination requirements, and regulatory procedures are subject to change. Final decisions on card issuance, renewal, and cancellation rest with the Dubai Land Department and RERA. Applicants are advised to verify the latest requirements directly with the DLD or through an authorised DLD trustee centre before submitting applications.
