Real Estate Agent Apprenticeship Decree: What the Reform Could Change

The implementing decree concerning the apprenticeship for real estate agents is currently being defined at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT). We spoke with Renato Maffey, President of ANAMA, to understand what the draft reform provides and what effects it may have for aspiring real estate agents and real estate agencies in Italy.

Draft apprenticeship decree for real estate agents: process, consultations and next steps

The implementing decree for the apprenticeship of real estate agents was introduced as an addition to Law 39/1989 (which regulates the profession of real estate mediator) through Law 57/2001. This reform introduced the need to establish a new pathway to access the profession of real estate agent through a 12-month professional apprenticeship, as an alternative qualification route to the traditional examination held by the Chambers of Commerce (CCIAA).

This training path provides not only practical experience but also a shortened training course at schools accredited by the Regions. However, in order to come into force, it must be regulated through an implementing decree that should have been issued by the former Ministry of Economic Development (now MIMIT).

However, President Maffey points out that “the implementing decree received little attention from the relevant authorities, despite repeated requests from several associations, particularly ANAMA.”

Something began to move in 2023, when the Department for European Policies, prompted by both the Italian Government and the European Union, highlighted to the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy the need to create alternative routes to access the real estate profession.

It was ANAMA itself that informed the Department that “an alternative route to access the profession of real estate agent actually already exists by law, but it has never been implemented because the implementing decree has never been issued.”

Subsequently, the Ministry drafted a preliminary version of the implementing decree, which was shared with the main professional associations. These associations had already met several times within an inter-association consultation group representing the real estate brokerage sector in discussions with public institutions. They submitted observations and proposed some changes to the draft.

Last June, the inter-association consultation group for real estate brokerage, after extensive discussions, presented amendments that incorporate many of ANAMA’s key considerations. These proposals are currently being examined by MIMIT, Unioncamere, and the Regions, which will be responsible for delivering the training courses.

Key points of the draft: duration, tutor and training path

Both the regulation proposed by the consultation group and the draft prepared by the Ministry are based on several key elements:

1. The 12-month apprenticeship would be divided into three four-month periods, allowing each trainee to change tutor during the training period if necessary
2. Creation of a structured training logbook, covering both commercial and technical aspects, used by the tutor to certify and validate the trainee’s experience and practical training
3. At the end of the three four-month periods, the trainee must attend a course at a school accredited by the Regions
4. The Regions will establish the multiple-choice tests that trainees must pass, subject to approval by the examiners
5. The examiners will be the same entities authorized by the Regions to provide the training courses
6. The trainee may work within a real estate agency structured as a company, which must appoint a licensed real estate agent to act as tutor
7. Each tutor may supervise only one trainee at a time and must have at least three years of professional experience to perform the tutoring role

Once the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy approves the implementing decree, 90 days will be required for it to become operational in all Chambers of Commerce.

“With this implementing decree we will finally be able to codify something that already exists in practice but has never been regulated through specific training paths and requirements,” concludes Maffey.

What would change for agencies and aspiring real estate agents

For real estate agencies, the main change would be the possibility to host trainees within their organizations. This would involve new organizational responsibilities, such as:

• ensuring the presence of a licensed tutor with at least three years of experience
• respecting the numerical limits for trainees
• guaranteeing supervision of training activities
• maintaining traceability of hours and practical experience completed

For those aspiring to become real estate agents, the introduction of the apprenticeship would create an alternative path to the traditional Chamber of Commerce exam: a more practical and immersive route lasting 12 months, allowing trainees to work alongside industry professionals and gain direct field experience.

In summary, if approved, the reform would introduce a comprehensive and professional training pathway, while also strengthening the role of real estate agencies as places of professional development and growth.