Designations and Certifications
The National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils provide a wide range of programs and services that help members increase their skills, proficiency, and knowledge. Designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by NAR and each affiliated group upon completion of required courses.
NAR Family Designations
Designations are specialized credentials for REALTORS®. Designations offer extensive benefits that are continually improved upon and expanded. For this reason, maintaining a designation requires annual dues and continued membership in NAR.
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home buying process.
Presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council)
Contact REBAC at rebac@nar.realtor or 800-648-6224.
Accredited Land Consultant / ALC
The esteemed Accredited Land Consultants (ALCs) are the most trusted, knowledgeable, experienced, and highest-producing experts in all segments of land. Conferred by the REALTORS® Land Institute, the designation requires successful completion of a rigorous LANDU education program, a specific, high-volume and experience level, and adherence to an honorable Code of Conduct.
- See course information.
Presented by the REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI)
Contact RLI at 800.441.5263 or rli@nar.realtor.
Certified Commercial Investment Member / CCIM
The Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation is commercial real estate’s global standard for professional achievement, earned through an extensive curriculum of 200 classroom hours and professional experiential requirements. CCIMs are active in 1,000 U.S. markets and 31 other countries and comprise a 13,000-member network that includes brokers, leasing professionals, asset managers, appraisers, corporate real estate executives, investors, lenders, and other allied professionals.
- See course information.
Presented by the CCIM Institute
Contact CCIM at 800-621-7027 or www.CCIM.com.
Certified Property Manager® / CPM®
CPM® designees are recognized as experts in real estate management. Holding this designation demonstrates expertise and integrity to employers, owners, and investors.
- See course information.
Presented by Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
Contact IREM® at 800-837-0706, ext. 4650.
Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager / CRB
The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management and is awarded to REALTORS® who have completed advanced educational and professional requirements. CRB Designees are better positioned to streamline operations, integrate new technology and apply new trends and business strategies.
- See course information.
Visit REBInstitute.com or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@REBInstitute.com or 800-621-8738
Certified Residential Specialist / CRS
The CRS designation is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers. On average, CRS designees earn nearly three times more in income, transactions, and gross sales than non-designee REALTORS®.
- See course information.
Presented by Residential Real Estate Council
Contact RRC at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us or 800-462-8841.
Counselor of Real Estate® / CRE®
The Counselors of Real Estate® is an organization of commercial property experts worldwide who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters. Only 1,100 professionals from all disciplines of real estate, academia and government hold the CRE credential. Membership is selective and extended by invitation, although commercial real estate practitioners with 10 years of proven experience may apply.
Presented by The Counselors of Real Estate®
Contact CRE® at 312-329-8427 or info@cre.org.
General Accredited Appraiser / GAA
For general appraisers, this designation is awarded to those whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of REALTORS®.
- See course information.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact GAA program staff at 800-874-6500 ext. 8268 or email appraisal@nar.realtor.
Graduate, REALTOR® Institute / GRI
REALTORS® with the GRI designation have in-depth training in legal and regulatory issues, technology, professional standards, and the sales process. Earning the designation is a way to stand out to prospective buyers and sellers as a professional with expertise in these areas.
- See course information.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact your State Association to get information on program requirements, course schedules, location, and tuition.
Performance Management Network / PMN
This designation is unique to the REALTOR® family designations, emphasizing that in order to enhance your business, you must enhance yourself. It focuses on negotiating strategies and tactics, networking and referrals, business planning and systems, personal performance management and leadership development.
- See course information.
Presented by Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Contact the Women’s Council of REALTORS® at 800-245-8512.
REALTOR® Association Certified Executive / RCE
RCE is the only professional designation designed specifically for REALTOR® association executives. RCE designees exemplify goal-oriented AEs with drive, experience and commitment to professional growth.
- See course information.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact Renee Holland at 312-329-8545 or rholland@nar.realtor.
Residential Accredited Appraiser / RAA
For residential appraisers, this designation is awarded to those whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of REALTORS®.
- See course information.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact RAA program staff at 312-329-8268 or email appraisal@nar.realtor.
Seller Representative Specialist / SRS
The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. The designation is awarded to real estate professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for seller advocacy. SRS designees represent a global community of REALTORS® who use their advanced training and expertise to go above and beyond their client’s expectations.
- See course information.
Visit www.REBInstitute.com or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@rebinstitute.com or 800-621-8738.
NAR Family Certifications
Like designations, certifications are also specialized credentials for REALTORS®. Maintaining a certification requires only an application fee and continued membership in NAR, but no annual dues.
At Home With Diversity® / AHWD
Learn to work effectively with – and within – today’s diverse real estate market. The At Home With Diversity® certification teaches you how to conduct your business with sensitivity to all client profiles and build a business plan to successfully serve them.
- See course information.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
For more information on this course and its business principles, please contact us at ahwd@nar.realtor or 800-874-6500 ext. 8393.
Broker Price Opinion Resource / BPOR
The BPOR certification is no longer being awarded to members. Approximately 6,000 members have earned BPOR.
Certified Real Estate Team Specialist / C-RETS
The Certified Real Estate Team Specialist (C-RETS) certification is designed to improve team development, individual leadership skills, and financial performance. C-RETS courses provide the tools, strategies, and knowledge that are required of today’s real estate professionals who are either considering or currently operating in a team environment. It is for team leaders, team members, those looking to start a team, and those who simply want to sharpen their management skills.
- See course information.
Visit www.REBInstitute.com or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@REBInstitute.com or 800-621-8738.
Digital Marketing: Social Media
The RRC Digital Marketing: Social Media certification is for real estate professionals who want to develop expertise with social media resources and the sites that are an essential part of today’s digital marketing mix, whether you are promoting your business or the properties you represent.
- See course information.
Presented by Residential Real Estate Council
Contact RRC at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us or 800-462-8841.
Luxury Homes Certification / LHC
Luxury Homes Certification is for agents looking to hone their skills in the ever-growing luxury home market. The courses included will give REALTORS® the knowledge they need to approach the luxury niche, including pricing strategies, negotiation tactics, and how to stand out from the crowd.
- See course information.
Presented by the Residential Real Estate Council
Contact us at CRSHelp@crs.com.
Real Estate Investing / REI
The Real Estate Investing (REI) certification program is for REALTORS® who want to master the ins and outs of working with investors and those who are establishing themselves as real estate investors.
- See course information.
Presented by the Residential Real Estate Council.
Contact RRC at crs.com/about-us/contact-us.
Real Estate Negotiation Expert / RENE
The Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certification is for real estate professionals who want to sharpen their negotiation and client advocacy skills.
- See course information.
Presented by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI)
Contact REBI at 800-621-8738 or info@rebinstitute.com.
Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource / SFR®
The SFR® certification teaches real estate professionals to work with distressed sellers and the finance, tax, and legal professionals who can help them, qualify sellers for short sales, develop a short sale package, negotiate with lenders, safeguard your commission, limit risk, and protect buyers.
- See course information.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
Contact us at sfr@nar.realtor or 877-510-7855.
Smart Home
The Smart Home certification is for real estate professionals who want to develop expertise in the technology, privacy issues, and best transition tactics
involved in selling smart homes.
- See course information.
Presented by Residential Real Estate Council
Contact RRC at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us or 800-462-8841.