MahaRERA COC — At a Glance
Mandatory from:
January 2024 — all new registrations and renewals
Training required:
20 hours from MahaRERA-empanelled provider
Exam conducted by:
IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection)
Exam format:
50 MCQs — online, proctored
Pass mark:
40% = 20 correct out of 50
Exam languages:
English and Marathi
Validity:
5 years — aligned with RERA registration period
Without COC:
Registration/renewal not processed by MahaRERA
Why MahaRERA Introduced COC
Maharashtra has the largest and most active real estate market in India. MahaRERA found that a significant proportion of registered agents had limited knowledge of RERA provisions, property documentation, and consumer protection obligations — leading to consumer complaints and market failures.
The COC requirement addresses this directly: before any agent can operate legally in Maharashtra, they must demonstrate minimum competency through structured training and an independently administered exam. It is modelled on professional licensing in sectors like banking and insurance.
Step 1 — The 20-Hour Training Requirement
Who Are the Empanelled Providers?
MahaRERA maintains a list of empanelled training organisations. As of 2026, empanelled providers include:
NAREDCO Maharashtra
National Real Estate Development Council — Maharashtra chapter. Online and classroom options.
REMI (Real Estate Management Institute)
Mumbai-based institute. Online course available.
RAGC (Real Estate Agents Guild and Confederation)
Structured 20-hour online programme.
NAR India
National Association of Realtors India — empanelled provider.
Other MahaRERA-empanelled institutes
Check maharera.maharashtra.gov.in for the current complete list — new providers are being added.
What Does the 20-Hour Training Cover?
RERA Act 2016 — key sections, buyer/agent/developer obligations, penalties
5 hrs
MahaRERA rules, circulars, and processes
3 hrs
Property documentation — ATS, sale deed, OC, EC, carpet area
4 hrs
Real estate due diligence — project and title verification
3 hrs
Consumer protection, ethics, and professional practice
3 hrs
General real estate fundamentals and market practice
2 hrs
Step 2 — The IBPS COC Exam
After completing the 20-hour training and receiving the completion certificate, you register for the IBPS exam. IBPS conducts online proctored exams at scheduled dates throughout the year.
Number of questions
50 multiple-choice questions (4 options each)
Duration
60 minutes (some reports suggest 90 minutes — confirm with IBPS at registration)
Pass mark
40% — minimum 20 correct answers out of 50
Language options
English and Marathi
Mode
Online — proctored (webcam required)
Negative marking
No negative marking — attempt all questions
Result
Results declared within a few weeks of exam date
Retake
Failed candidates can retake — check current IBPS/MahaRERA rules on wait period
COC Exam Syllabus — Topic Breakdown
RERA Act 2016 (30%)
~15 questions
Key sections: 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 59–66. Both text of the provisions and application.
MahaRERA Rules & Circulars (20%)
~10 questions
MahaRERA-specific rules, recent circulars, COC requirement itself, complaint process in Maharashtra.
Property Documentation (15%)
~7-8 questions
ATS, sale deed, OC, CC, EC, carpet area vs SBA, registration process, stamp duty basics.
Due Diligence (15%)
~7-8 questions
RERA portal verification, QPR reading, escrow, title chain concepts, approvals.
Ethics & Consumer Protection (10%)
~5 questions
Section 10 obligations, unfair trade practices, fiduciary duty, consumer protection framework.
General Real Estate (10%)
~5 questions
Market terminology, transaction types, property types, basic legal concepts.
How to Prepare — Effective Study Strategy
1
Read RERA Act Sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19 — know the content of each
These sections will account for approximately 30% of the exam. Focus on: who must register, what developers must disclose, what buyers have the right to, and what the penalties are.
2
Memorise key penalty amounts
₹10,000/day (agent without registration), up to 10% of project cost (developer without registration), up to 5% for misrepresentation. These come up directly in exam questions.
3
Understand carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area thoroughly
The definition in Section 2(k) is testable verbatim. Know what is included and excluded, and be able to do simple calculations.
4
Know the MahaRERA complaint process
Where to file (Authority vs Adjudicating Officer), what the Appellate Tribunal is, and timelines.
5
Practice with MCQ format
The exam is multiple choice — practice eliminating wrong answers, not just identifying right ones. 40% pass mark means 20/50 correct — time management matters.
6
Complete the 20-hour training attentively
Training providers structure content around the exam. Pay attention, take notes, and review the training materials before the exam.
Step 3 — Submitting COC with MahaRERA Registration
After passing the IBPS exam, download your Certificate of Competency from the IBPS portal. When applying for MahaRERA registration or renewal:
- Upload the COC certificate along with all other registration documents
- Without the COC, MahaRERA will not process the application
- Your MahaRERA registration and COC validity both run for 5 years from the grant date
- Set a renewal reminder for both simultaneously
Build Your COC Knowledge with CREP™
CREP™ covers every topic tested in the MahaRERA COC exam — 48 structured lessons, 476 questions, and scenario-based practice that goes deeper than the 20-hour training. Use CREP™ to prepare for COC and build professional expertise simultaneously.
CREP™ is a separate private certification — not a replacement for the MahaRERA COC process