BC moves to the Mortgage Services Act on 13 October 2026. Here is the path to a licence, in order, under the new rules.
Written by A.I.M.I. Collective Mortgage Group, Brokerage editorial team
Published September 2026 · Last reviewed 5 October 2026
Official sources: BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA)
Mortgage brokers in British Columbia are licensed by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). Until now the entry route was the UBC Sauder course Mortgage Brokerage in British Columbia and registration as a sub mortgage broker under the Mortgage Brokers Act. That changes with the Mortgage Services Act. Since 4 August 2026 new applicants complete the Mortgage Services Licensing Course instead, and the first sitting of its exam is 13 October 2026, the day the Act comes into force.
To get a BC mortgage licence under the Mortgage Services Act you complete the UBC Sauder course, pass the exam and apply through a sponsoring BCFSA licensed brokerage within one year of the exam. The licence is tied to that brokerage, so most people line one up while finishing the course. Alberta and Ontario licences do not carry over.
You need to be legally able to work in Canada, pass a criminal record check and meet BCFSA suitability requirements. There is no degree requirement.
The Mortgage Services Licensing Course is delivered online by UBC Sauder School of Business. You must pass the exam with at least 70 percent.
A BC mortgage broker licence attaches to a licensed mortgage brokerage. You cannot hold one on your own, so line up your brokerage before you apply.
Your brokerage supports the application. Submit it within one year of writing the exam or the exam result lapses.
Once BCFSA issues the licence you can deal in mortgages for your brokerage. Continuing education applies from your first renewal.
BCFSA requires the licence application to be filed within one year of writing the examination. Book the exam when you are ready to move, not months before.
The MSA replaces registration with licensing and introduces three levels: the mortgage brokerage, the individual mortgage broker and the principal broker who carries regulatory responsibility for the business. Every licensee operates in one or more categories: dealing, trading or administering mortgages, with mortgage lending planned as a later category. Existing registrants have a 15 month transition period. Our guide on what changes for BC brokers on 13 October 2026 covers the rest.
The course is self paced online, so the timeline is set by you. Budget for the course fee from UBC Sauder, the BCFSA application fee and a criminal record check. Both organisations publish current fees, and they change, so check before you enrol.
We onboard licensed brokers only, so the licence is yours to earn before we can help with anything else. After that you get weekly lender training, a team chat where new and experienced brokers answer around the clock, and senior brokers who will work your first files alongside you. There is no scripted programme with a guaranteed timeline. There is a room full of people who pick up.
Before you work with another licensee, you can confirm their status in seconds. See how to check a mortgage broker licence in BC, Alberta and Ontario.
Comparing provinces? See how to become a mortgage broker in Canada: the licence, course and cost in Ontario, BC and Alberta on one page.
BCFSA publishes licensing and education requirements at bcfsa.ca, and the licensing course is listed at sauder.ubc.ca. Current as of 10 September 2026.
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A.I.M.I. Collective onboards licensed brokers only. Once BCFSA has issued your licence, we bring you in with training, one on one mentorship and direct lender access from day one.