Hong Kong Salesperson Licence (SQE) — Salesperson Qualifying Examination Guide

Salesperson Qualifying Examination (SQE · S Paper) — 2026

What is the Salesperson licence?

The estate agent salesperson licence, often referred to as the "small licence" (S Paper), is obtained by passing the SQE (Salesperson Qualifying Examination). A licensed salesperson must carry out estate agency work under the supervision of a licensed estate agent and cannot operate independently. The SQE covers a narrower syllabus than the Estate Agent EAQE, making it a common entry point into Hong Kong's real estate industry. It is one of the two estate agency licences issued by the Estate Agents Authority (EAA).

Exam Format

Part	Format	Scope	Pass mark
Part I	Multiple choice	The specified Parts, not all 8	60%
Part II	Case studies	The specified Parts	60%

Question counts and the time limit follow the EAA announcement for the sitting; the pass mark is 60%, the same as the Estate Agent exam.

Note: The Salesperson exam covers only the specified Parts and does not require all 8 Parts.

Salesperson vs Estate Agent: Key Differences

Salesperson: must work under the supervision of a licensed estate agent
Estate Agent: may operate independently and supervise salespersons
The Salesperson exam covers a narrower syllabus with a lower entry barrier
A salesperson may later sit the Estate Agent exam to upgrade their licence

Core Exam Scope for the Salesperson Licence

Part 2: Estate Agents Ordinance and estate agency practice (most important)
Part 3: Law governing conveyancing
Part 4: Land registration and land search
Part 7: Leasing and tenancy matters

Essential Ordinances

Eligibility & Entry Process

Meet the eligibility criteria: generally aged 18 or above with the specified education level (usually the HKDSE or equivalent) — similar to the Estate Agent licence but over a narrower scope.
Sit the SQE: register via the EAA website or a designated body, pay the fee, choose your exam date, and take the specified Parts.
Apply for the Salesperson licence: after passing, apply to the EAA for the salesperson (S Paper) licence with the required documents.
Practise as an employee: once licensed you must work under the supervision of a licensed estate agent — the usual entry point into Hong Kong's real estate industry.

The Salesperson licence is also renewed every two years, subject to CPD requirements.

Study Strategy & Common Pitfalls

Focus on the core Parts: the S Paper centres on Parts 2, 3, 4 and 7 — there is no need to read all 8 Parts as for the E Paper, so concentrating your effort is more efficient.
Estate Agents Ordinance detail: Part 2 carries the most questions; get the numbers right on client money, receipt deadlines and disciplinary penalties.
Don't study the wrong scope: the most common S Paper mistake is studying E-Paper-only Parts (e.g. Part 6 valuation, Part 8 supervision) and wasting time.
Timed mocks: get used to the MCQ pace — about 1.5 minutes per question.
Practical case questions: Part II rewards scenario-based answers grounded in the real sale-and-purchase process.

Upgrading from Salesperson to Estate Agent

After holding the Salesperson licence and gaining estate agency experience, you can sit the E Paper to upgrade to the full Estate Agent licence. The upgrade lets you operate independently, act as a responsible person, and supervise salespersons — with significantly higher income potential and autonomy. Many practitioners enter via the S Paper and prepare for the E Paper while working — a common career path in Hong Kong's real estate industry.

Study Resources

Independent study aid. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Estate Agents Authority (EAA).

本應用為獨立學習工具，與地產代理監管局 (EAA) 無關，亦未獲其認可。