The Practice Governance Standing Committee (PGSC) and the CREB^® Board of Directors continue to evaluate ways to support professionalism in the industry. 

The CREB^® Rules are designed to help members understand the expectations of practicing and building their real estate business. 

The Administrative Justice process at CREB^® facilitates investigations and hearings involving disputes between members that cannot be resolved at a broker level and involve potential contraventions of CREB^® Rules, Bylaws or the REALTOR^® Code. The Professional Standards and Assurance Team (PSAT), consisting of REALTOR^® members, investigates complaints and serves as hearing panelists in this peer-to-peer process.   

Part V of the CREB^® Rules outlines the steps that are followed when investigating complaints and making decisions. Part V has been updated to reflect modernizations to support the administrative justice process.

Click here for a detailed comparison of the amendments that will come into effect on Jan. 27, 2026. A summary of the changes is outlined below.

Part V Administrative Justice

Definitions and interpretations

New definitions, including broker designate, oral hearing, reply, and written hearing, have been added. These updates support new initiatives and define terminology commonly used within the Administrative Justice program that was not previously defined.

Authority of the Professional Standards Assurance Team

This rule is updated to clarify that any educational course(s) assigned as part of a hearing outcome, must be successfully completed.

Record of decisions

The retention period for hearing proceedings has updated to one year. Case summaries will continue to be retained permanently.

Investigations

Section six has been amended to clarify the scope of investigation and the responsibility of the investigating team. An additional update to Section 4.06 allows the investigating team to raise concerns about another member not named in the current complaint if there are significant issues suggesting non-compliance with the CREB^® Rules, REALTOR^® Code, or CREB^® Bylaws.

Show cause hearings

When a member repeatedly violates the same rule, a show cause hearing is held to determine the appropriate penalty. Previously, these hearings were held in person and referred to as oral hearings. They have been modified to written hearings, in which evidence and arguments are submitted through documents. However, at the hearing panel's direction, an oral hearing may be called instead.

In person (oral) hearings  

Associates and associate brokers who attend hearings as either the applicant or respondent in a complaint are required to be accompanied by their broker or broker designate. If a broker designate will attend in the place of the broker, the broker must advise CREB^® in advance of the hearing.

Preamble amendment

In addition to the Administrative Justice amendments outlined above, the preamble to the CREB^® Rules has been updated. A statement has been added to clarify that the Board of Directors may create and amend policies, as permitted under the bylaws. 

Member suggestions

When rules are scheduled or flagged for review, or when new rules are proposed, the Practice Governance Standing Committee (PGSC) reviews them and develops recommendations for the Board. 

Members with rule- or practice-related suggestions, are encouraged to submit them through the Practice Governance Standing Committee Suggestion Box. 

Thank you to the members who have shared feedback through conversations with CREB^® staff and taken the extra step to formally submit their ideas, including the rationale for proposed practice and rule changes.