Buyer and seller · Protection
It takes less than a minute, it is free, and it is the one check that should come before any signature. Here is how, and what the register really tells you.
In Quebec, every real estate broker must hold a licence issued by the OACIQ, and that licence can be verified for free online in the public register of licence holders at registre.oaciq.com. You can search by name, licence number, agency or region, and a checkbox lets you include people whose licence is revoked or suspended. The register shows the licence status, the agency, the residential or commercial practice rights and any disciplinary measures. Only two titles are reserved by law: real estate broker and real estate agency. The title of real estate agent no longer exists since May 1, 2010. Practising without a licence is an offence punishable by a fine of $3,000 to $150,000 for an individual, and no compensation from the indemnity fund is possible if the person did not hold a valid licence.
The register is updated daily. For each holder it shows licence status, agency, practice rights, disciplinary measures and training completed. A licence may be restricted to residential brokerage, to commercial brokerage, or cover both: a broker with residential rights only cannot assist you in a commercial transaction. You will also see the mention "agréé DA", which means the person is qualified to act as agency executive officer, responsible for selecting and supervising the agency's brokers.
The law reserves exactly two titles: real estate broker and real estate agency. Nobody may use them, or a title suggesting they hold such a licence, without being a holder. The title of real estate agent has not existed in Quebec since May 1, 2010: former agent certificate holders are deemed real estate broker licence holders. Two licences exist, the broker's licence for individuals and the agency licence. A broker practises either on their own account or for one agency, never for two at once.
A valid licence triggers two protections automatically. First, mandatory professional liability insurance: the broker and the agency must pay their premium to the insurance fund, failing which the licence is suspended by operation of law. Second, the Real Estate Brokerage Indemnity Fund, which may pay up to $100,000 per claim for fraud, dishonest practices or misappropriation of funds committed by a licence holder since May 10, 2018. The fund does not cover ordinary professional fault, which falls under insurance, and the claim must be filed within two years of learning of the act. The crucial point: if the person did not hold a valid licence, no recourse to the fund is possible. That is exactly why you check before, not after.
The OACIQ public assistance service analyses your request and decides how to handle it. It must notify the syndic as soon as it has reasonable grounds to believe an offence was committed. The syndic investigates and decides whether to lodge a complaint before the discipline committee, and must inform you of the decision in writing. The review committee: if the syndic declines, you have thirty days to ask for its opinion, rendered within ninety days. The discipline committee can impose anything from a reprimand to licence revocation, with fines of $2,500 to $62,500 per count, doubled for a repeat offence; proceedings are public. Mind the clock: filing with the OACIQ does not interrupt the three-year civil limitation period. And practising brokerage without a licence is punishable by a fine of $3,000 to $150,000 for an individual, $5,000 to $200,000 in other cases.
The regulation requires every licence holder to keep registers and files for at least six years after they are closed. If a dispute arises three years after your transaction, the brokerage file still exists: contract, seller's declarations, offers received. No private sale offers that protection.
A valid licence is the minimum, not a guarantee of competence. Once verified, move on to what separates brokers: track record in your sector, marketing plan, references, and the contents of the brokerage contract you are about to sign.
Yes. The OACIQ public register is free and available online at any time.
Since May 1, 2010, only the title of real estate broker exists for individuals; "agent" is no longer a legal title in Quebec.
Practising without a licence is an offence, and the indemnity fund cannot compensate you. Check the register before signing anything.
Also available in French: version française de ce guide.
Published September 1, 2026 by the Loaa & Manseur team, the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 according to the official RE/MAX ranking. Tell us about your project.
Équipe no 1 de RE/MAX Platine en 2024 et en 2025, 6e au Québec, 15e au Canada et dans le top 50 mondial au classement officiel RE/MAX. Réponse en moins de 24 heures, sept jours sur sept.