How to Become a Real Estate Registrar 2025: Complete Guide to Obtaining Property Registration License from REGA

With the launch of the Real Property Registration System in Saudi Arabia, the profession of Real Estate Registrar has emerged as one of the most important new careers in the real estate sector. This profession is your gateway to participating in the largest transformative project the Saudi real estate market has ever witnessed, aiming to register more than 8 million properties in the coming years.

If you hold a university degree in Sharia Sciences or Law, you have a golden opportunity to enter this promising field. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain everything you need to know to obtain a real estate registrar license.

What is a Real Estate Registrar?

A Real Estate Registrar is a licensed professional authorized by the General Authority for Real Estate (REGA) to document all transactions on properties registered in the real property registry. The registrar serves as the official link between property owners and the property registry, with broad legal authority to authenticate real estate transactions.

According to the Real Property Registration Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/91) of 1443H, the real estate registrar documents transactions or changes in description that occur on registered properties, in accordance with the provisions of the law and its executive regulations.

Duties of a Real Estate Registrar

A licensed real estate registrar performs the following duties:

• Ownership Transfer Documentation: Completing full or partial sale and purchase transactions for registered properties
• Mortgage Documentation: Registering mortgage contracts for banks and financing entities, adding or removing rights
• Split and Merge Documentation: Splitting properties into independent units or merging two or more properties
• Real Rights Documentation: Registering usufruct rights, easements, and other original and ancillary real rights
• Endowment, Gift, and Will Documentation: Registering non-sale transactions on properties
• Inheritance and Division Documentation: Registering ownership transfer by inheritance and property division among heirs
• Off-Plan Property Documentation: Working with real estate developers on off-plan sale projects
• Material Error Correction Approval: Reviewing and approving error correction requests in property registry data

Requirements for Real Estate Registrar License

According to Article 37 of the Real Property Registration Law and Article 49 of its Executive Regulations, the following requirements apply to real estate registrars:

1. Educational Qualification (Essential Requirement)

Applicants must hold at minimum a university degree (Bachelor's) in one of the following two fields:

• Sharia Sciences: Such as Islamic Jurisprudence, Principles of Jurisprudence, Islamic Studies, Sharia
• Legal Sciences (Law): Such as Law, Legal Systems, Rights

Important Note: No other specialization is accepted, even if related to real estate such as Architecture, Business Administration, or Real Estate Valuation. The requirement is limited to these two fields only according to the law.

2. Clean Criminal Record

The applicant must never have been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust, even if rehabilitated. This includes forgery, fraud, breach of trust, bribery, and any crime affecting integrity.

3. Passing the Qualifying Course

Applicants must pass the Real Estate Registrar Qualifying Course from the Saudi Real Estate Institute with a score of at least 70% as stipulated in the executive regulations.

4. Any Other Requirements Specified by Regulations

REGA may add additional requirements according to executive regulation updates.

Special Track for Ministry of Justice Licensed Notaries

According to Paragraph (2) of Article 49 of the Executive Regulations: Notaries licensed by the Ministry of Justice are granted the real estate registrar license directly after passing the qualifying course only, without needing to meet the specified educational requirement if they hold a valid notary license.

Real Estate Registrar Qualifying Course

The Saudi Real Estate Institute is the only authorized entity to provide the qualifying course for real estate registrars. The institute is the academic arm of the General Authority for Real Estate and is the first entity specialized in real estate sciences in Saudi Arabia.

Course Modules

The qualifying course covers the following topics:

• Real Property Registration Law: Comprehensive understanding of the law and its executive regulations
• First Registration Procedures: Mechanism for registering properties for the first time in the property registry
• Real Estate Transactions: Types, legal provisions, and documentation procedures
• Real Rights: Original and ancillary rights, registration and management methods
• Property Registry Platform: Practical training on using the rer.sa platform
• Geospatial Surveying: Understanding property maps, coordinates, and survey data
• Professional Ethics: Duties and legal responsibilities of the real estate registrar

Available Training Formats

The Saudi Real Estate Institute offers three training formats:

• Live Streaming Courses: Direct training with instructor online at scheduled times with interaction and instant Q&A
• Recorded Courses: Pre-recorded content accessible anytime convenient for the trainee with replay flexibility
• In-Person Courses: Face-to-face training at institute premises with direct practical application

Course Fees

Saudi Real Estate Institute course fees range from SAR 250 - 2,500 depending on course type, duration, and training format. Updated fees can be viewed on the institute's electronic portal.

Course Completion Requirements

• Attend at least 75% of training hours
• Pass the final exam with 70% or higher
• Adhere to training ethics without cheating or identity fraud
• Take the exam at the scheduled time

Steps to Obtain Real Estate Registrar License

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Before starting, ensure that you:

• Hold a university degree in Sharia Sciences or Law
• Have a clean criminal record with no conviction for crimes involving dishonesty
• Or are a Ministry of Justice licensed notary with a valid license

Step 2: Register at Saudi Real Estate Institute

1. Visit the Saudi Real Estate Institute portal: srei.sa
2. Create a new account or log in if you have an existing account
3. Search for "Real Property Registration Course" or "Real Estate Registrar Qualifying Course"
4. Choose your preferred training format (live, recorded, or in-person)
5. Confirm course date, time, and details
6. Complete registration and electronic payment

Step 3: Attend the Training Course

• Commit to attending all training sessions and achieve at least 75% attendance
• Participate in practical applications and train on the property registry platform
• Continuously review scientific material and training package
• Ask the trainer about any unclear points

Step 4: Pass the Exam

• Take the final exam at the scheduled time
• Must achieve 70% or higher to pass
• Course completion certificate is issued electronically immediately after passing

Step 5: Apply for the License

1. Visit the General Authority for Real Estate website: rega.gov.sa
2. Log in via National Single Sign-On (Nafath)
3. Select "Apply for Real Estate Registrar License" or "Registrar Registration"
4. Attach required documents:
   • Copy of university degree
   • Qualifying course completion certificate
   • Copy of national ID
   • Any additional documents requested by REGA
5. Pay required fees if applicable
6. Wait for application review and approval
7. Receive license electronically after approval

Statistics and Important Information

• The General Authority for Real Estate has licensed 237 real estate registrars as the first batch
• The property registration project targets more than 8 million properties in the Kingdom
• The current phase covers 254,000 property units in 4 major regions
• The property registry currently contains more than 1 million registered properties

Career Opportunities and Future Prospects

The real property registration field is one of the most promising areas in the Saudi real estate sector for the following reasons:

• Growing Demand: Need for thousands of real estate registrars as the registration project expands to cover all regions of the Kingdom
• Diverse Job Opportunities: Possibility of self-employment by opening a property documentation office, working in banks and financing entities, or with real estate development companies and offices
• Rewarding Income: Property transaction documentation generates good income especially with the large transaction volume in the Saudi market
• Stable Career: Need for real estate registrars continues as long as there are property transactions

Important Links

• Saudi Real Estate Institute: srei.sa - For training course registration
• General Authority for Real Estate: rega.gov.sa - For license application and regulations
• Property Registry Platform: rer.sa - For property registration services
• Instant Training Portal: srei.futurex.sa - For recorded and instant courses
• Contact Number: 199011 - REGA Customer Service Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Can graduates of other specializations obtain the license?

No, the legal requirement limits qualifications to Sharia Sciences or Law only. The only exception is Ministry of Justice licensed notaries.

How long is the qualifying course?

Course duration varies by training format, typically ranging from 3-5 days for intensive courses.

What is the difference between a real estate registrar and a notary?

A notary works under Ministry of Justice supervision and authenticates contracts in general, while a real estate registrar specializes in documenting transactions on registered properties only under General Authority for Real Estate supervision.

Can I work as a real estate registrar without an establishment?

This is determined according to REGA regulations. It is recommended to contact the General Authority for Real Estate to inquire about profession practice requirements.

How much does license issuance cost?

Fees are determined by the General Authority for Real Estate and can be viewed on the official website or by contacting the customer service center.

Is the license valid for life?

Professional licenses are usually valid for a specific period and require periodic renewal as determined by REGA.