The following are many of the certifications offered by the National Association of Realtors. They are all designed to provide continuing education to real estate agents and anyone else in the industry.
Realtor® Family Designation Programs
The National Association of Realtors® has nine affiliated institutes, societies and councils that provide a wide-ranging menu of programs and services that assist members in increasing skills, productivity and knowledge. Designations acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by each Affiliated group upon completion of required courses. In addition, NAR offers two certification programs to its members.
ABR, Accredited Buyer Representative
With over 40,000 members, REBAC is the largest association of real estate professionals focusing on all aspects of buyer representation. Over 30,000 ABR® designees have completed the REBAC course, passed the test and provided documentation of buyer agency experience.
ABRM, Accredited Buyer Representative Manager
Geared to real estate firm brokers, owners and managers that have or wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice, designees have taken and passed both the ABR® and ABRMSM course and provided documentation of past management experience.
CCIM, Certified Commercial Investment Member®
CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, valuation and investment analysis. The CCIM business network includes more than 7,500 designees and an equal number of candidates principally in North America, but also in Asia and Europe. CCIMs are backed by a respected education program, as well as superior technology products and business resources.
CRB, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager
The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation is recognized industry-wide as the measure of success in brokerage and real estate business management. The designation is awarded by the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers to Realtors® who have completed the Council’s advanced educational and professional requirements. CRB designees consistently increase their level of industry knowledge, advance their earning and career potential, increase their firm’s profitability and benefit from active involvement in our network of real estate professionals. The new CRB Designation Program now provides credit for management experience, higher education and previously earned NAR designations. Additional credits can be earned through the Council’s management education programs delivered live or by Self Study on CD-ROM.
CRS®, Certified Residential Specialist®
Agents can maximize their potential by earning the CRS® Designation and joining the organization that has served top-producing residential sales agents since 1977. The more than 35,000 CRS® Designees benefit from nationwide referral opportunities, a professional image that attracts customers, and sales and marketing support. The CRS® Designation is awarded to experienced Realtors® who complete advanced training in listing and selling, and meet rigorous production requirements.
CRE, Counselor of Real Estate
The Counselor of Real Estate – or CRE – is a member of The Counselors of Real Estate, an international group of recognized professionals who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters. Only 1,100 practitioners throughout the world carry the CRE designation. Membership is by invitation only.
GAA, General Accredited Appraiser
Certified general appraisers wishing to increase their visibility should consider pursuing the GAA designation. The GAA designation is awarded to appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of Realtors®.
GRI Graduate Realtor Institute
Members involved in residential real estate who want a solid base of information for their practice will want to participate in the REALTOR® Institute program and earn the GRI designation. NAR maintains a clearinghouse of information for individuals interested in the GRI program. For more information, visit the new GRI site.
PMN, Performance Management Network
The Performance Management Network (PMN) is a new Realtor® designation that’s built from the ground up to bring you the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep your business out front and on top of a lighting-fast market. This designation is unique to the Realtor® family designations, focusing on the idea that in order to enhance your business, you must enhance yourself. The curriculum is driven by the following topics: negotiating strategies and tactics, networking and referrals, business planning & systems, personal performance management and cultural differences in buying and selling.
RCE, Realtor® association Certified Executive
Association executives interested in demonstrating commitment to the field of REALTOR® association management should pursue the RCE designation. AEs are recognized for their specialized industry knowledge and their association achievements and experience.
Residential Accredited Appraiser
Certified residential appraisers wishing to increase their visibility should consider pursuing the RAA designation. The RAA designation is awarded to appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of Realtors®.
SIOR, Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®
Individuals certified with the SIOR designation are top producers in industrial and office real estate brokerage. SIOR’s network includes more than 2,800 members in 480 cities in 20 countries on six continents. The Society’s mandatory recertification requirement assures clients of the designee’s excellence in the fast changing commercial brokerage field.
Realtor e-PRO®
Realtor e-PRO® is a revolutionary training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals. The National Association of Realtors® is the first major trade group to offer certification for online professionalism.
Realtor® e-PRO is not just about technology - it’s about how you can leverage your most powerful asset, your people-skills, into doing more business on the Internet. Realtor e-PRO® gives you:
• Exhaustive Internet Training
• Unique Competitive Advantage
• Professional Distinction
• CE credit is now available in several states
For more information on the Realtor e-PRO certification, visit the Realtor e-PRO® Web site.