Nefesh BNefesh

Real Estate Agent
All real estate agents in Israel are required to pass a licensing examination that is administered every few months by Misrad HaMishpatim (Ministry of Justice ).
There is no transfer of real estate licenses from abroad. The Ministry of Justice has a booklet available which includes the information needed to prepare for the exam.

Please note that both the booklet and exam are currently only in Hebrew. Though the test is in Hebrew, the licensing bureau has recently made some accommodations for English speakers who have been unable to pass the test due to language difficulties.

The branch of Misrad HaMishpatim in Jerusalem that deals with real estate brokers can be reached at (02) 654-9333 and is open Sunday – Thursday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  

In order to obtain a license, the applicant must:

• Be a citizen or resident of Israel, or a foreigner with official permission to work in Israel;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Have not been declared bankrupt;
• Have not been charged with a felony for at least 5 years before filing an application for a license. An applicant who has served a prison sentence but has been rehabilitated successfully has to have exhibited a desire to be reformed for a period of at least 3 years prior to filing an application for a license;
• Have successfully passed the exam.

Materials to be studied for the exam:

The material to study for the test can be found listed on the main screen of the site called: "Collection of Laws for Real Estate Brokers" under the heading of "Material for the Test" http://www.justice.gov.il/MOJHeb/RashamHametavchim/dinin+m.htm. A booklet containing this "Collection of Laws" can also be purchased at the following address: 

Hoda'at Ktuvim,  Rehov King George 16 Gimel, Ninth  Floor.
PO Box 37218, Jerusalem, 91371.
For additional information call: 02-625 -9228

Candidates can bring the booklet or the information printed from the site to the test as long as the materials are bound in a binder. (No loose papers or other materials will be allowed into the room).

Courses in Preparation for the Licensing Exam:

• Machon Lander in Jerusalem offers a preparatory course in English. For details, please see the Lander website:  http://english.lander.ac.il/continuing-education-courses/courses/real-estate-license-preparation/
• Remax: This course is offered in Hebrew in most locations, but you can contact them to find out about English versions being offered.  Anyone who takes the course through Remax can pay an additional fee to be accepted into their network of realtors upon successful completion of the licensing exam.  (Please note that, like all other realtors, those affiliated with a company, earn commission only.  There is no base salary). See: http://www.remax.co.il/Career/Eng/School/AgentLicensing.asp

Registering for the Exam:
The Licensing Bureau will announce via a newspaper ad and on their website the date of both the test and when registration will commence. A written request to register for the test has to be submitted upon which the applicant will be given all relevant details pertaining to the test and the non-refundable amount to be paid.

Forms for registration can be obtained on the website http://www.justice.gov.il/MOJHeb/RashamHametavchim or at the Bureau of Real Estate Agents from Sunday to Thursday between 8:30–13:00, at the following address: Beit Hadfus 22, Fourth Floor, Jerusalem

Registration for the test is only valid once the application form, an ID photograph and the required payment have been submitted to the following address:
PO Box 34357, Jerusalem 91342. Forms sent by fax are not accepted.

Once all the above requirements have been met for registering for the test, a document is mailed to the applicant's address with the following details: approval to take the test as well as the place, time and number of the seating arrangement. There are no refunds if the candidate ends up not sitting for the exam.