Top 10 Real Estate Certifications & Designations 2019

Real estate certifications are specializations agents and other real estate professionals can earn from real estate organizations to expand their expertise and grow their business. Agents and brokers can make the most of certifications by choosing specializations consistent with their professional niche. Generally, applicants must meet education and experience requirements to earn real estate designations.

If you’re not ready to commit to a real estate certification or designation, you can still build your business using McKissock Learning’s continuing education and career development resources. In addition to its free career tips and real estate blog, McKissock offers continuing education courses to help develop your real estate business. Click here to learn more.

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Types of Real Estate Certifications

Real Estate Certifications	Best For
Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)	Agents representing sellers in the sale of property.
Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)	Realty professionals with clients targeting commercial real estate investments.
Accredited Buyer’s Representative®️ (ABR®️)	Agents representing buyers in real estate transactions.
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)	Agents specializing in residential property sales.
Certified Property Manager (CPM)	Brokers or agents starting property management operations.
Probate Mastery©️ Certification & Designation	Agents who specialize in probate properties.
Military Relocation Professional (MRP)	Realty professionals working with clients in the U.S. armed forces.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®)	Agents focusing on active adults or senior clients.
Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)	Brokers or agents facilitating investments in raw or developable land.
Accredited Staging Partner®️ (ASP®️)	Real estate professionals wanting to stage properties for photos or showings.

Popular real estate certifications and designations include:

Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)

Purpose: To learn the skills necessary to specialize in representing sellers in the sale of property

The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation is available through the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) to realty professionals who complete the online or classroom-based SRS course and take one SRS elective course. An exam is not required but applicants must be a member of the National Association of Realtors®️ (NAR) and SRS, document they have acted solely as a seller representative in three completed transactions, and complete the designation application.

The SRS designation demonstrates to homeowners that a real estate agent is highly specialized in seller representation and has developed the unique skills necessary to protect a seller’s interests. Once an agent gains the SRS designation, they can access member-only courses, resources, and services and subscribe to the bi-monthly digital Real Estate Business Magazine. Members can also join the SRS social media community and view member-only webinars.

Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

Purpose: To demonstrate to clients that you are an expert in targeting commercial real estate investments

The Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation is offered through the CCIM Institute and helps professionals specialize in commercial real estate. As a CCIM, real estate professionals have access to a professional network of over 13,000 members and exclusive discounts on commercial real estate resources like continuing education courses.

To become a CCIM designee, you must meet minimum sales volume requirements in commercial real estate and meet educational requirements, including a four-course curriculum, an online ethics course, negotiation training, and elective courses from the Ward Center for Real Estate Studies. Finally, applicants must pass a full-day exam and pay an annual membership fee. The cost of the designation is $7,885 for CCIM members and $9,474 for non-members.

Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)

Purpose: To learn the skills necessary to successfully represent homebuyers and keep abreast of industry trends

The NAR’s Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation is available to NAR members who take the ABR® Designation Course, complete one of the ABR® elective courses, and provide documentation of five completed transactions wherein they acted as the sole buyer representative.

As an ABR®, agents get access to continuing real estate education and membership events through the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council (REBAC). What’s more, agents get updates on current issues and trends, can use REBAC marketing tools, and join consumer awareness campaigns. This makes it a great designation for new or experienced real estate professionals who specialize as buyer agents or want to move into that niche.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Purpose: To enable Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) members to demonstrate their expertise in residential property sales

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation is available to members of the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC). As a CRS, real estate professionals will have access to the RRC’s various education programs and extensive referral network. The designation also gives members a free mobile CRM and lead generation tools to help agents grow their residential real estate business.

To become a CRS, first join the RRC and decide whether you want to take the 60/30/30 Program or Pro Program. Pro Program applicants must have completed 10 or more years as a licensed agent and 150 transactions or an average of $1 million per year in sales with a minimum of 40 transactions. Those taking the 60/30/30 route need only 60 transactions or $30 million in volume over the last three years to qualify. Finally, complete required coursework, including 30 or 60 hours of RRC courses, depending on your program.

Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Purpose: To prepare real estate professionals to start property management operations more effectively and ethically

The Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation is available through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). The CPM certification enables real estate professionals like brokers, building owners, and real estate investors to more ethically and effectively manage properties. For that reason, it’s a great fit for agents and brokers who are currently managing properties for clients or want to build their property management portfolio.

To qualify, applicants must have three years of qualifying real estate management experience, meet education requirements, and fulfill a one-year candidacy period. Applicants must also obtain three professional references, pass the CPM certification exam, and meet other basic application requirements, like being affiliated with the NAR.

Probate Mastery© Certification & Designation

Purpose: To build expertise in the nuanced probate process

The Probate Mastery©️ Certification and Certified Probate Expert©️ designation are available through All The Leads (ATL), an independent real estate certification company. Designees will learn the ins and outs of the probate process and how to apply it to today’s real estate market. This makes it a perfect certification for real estate professionals in a market with an untapped source of properties in probate.

To earn ATL’s certification or designation, real estate professionals must complete three comprehensive sessions of coursework totaling seven to nine hours. Courses include everything from understanding the probate process to building a strategy that will help you grow a probate-based real estate business. Education requirements for the certification cost $250 and agents receive a Certified Probate Expert© designation, digital logos for marketing materials, and a signed certificate.

Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

Purpose: To better assist military families with the relocation process

A Military Relocation Professional (MRP) specializes in the needs, timetables, and stressors specific to military staff and families during relocation. To get an MRP certification, a real estate agent must be an NAR member in good standing, complete the one-day Certification Core Course online or in-person, and complete two one-hour webinars. Once the educational requirements have been met, a real estate agent must submit an application and the $195 application fee.

The NAR’s MRP certification is a great option if you work in a market with a military base, Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, or other military facility. What’s more, the MRP Certification Core Course is an approved elective for the Accredited Buyer’s Representative® (ABR) designation, so the MRP certification pairs well with other real estate certifications.

Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®)

Purpose: To provide agents the skills necessary to assist active adults or senior clients who are looking for a new home

A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) is a NAR member who is specially qualified to assist buyers and sellers over the age of 50 in their search for a home. As a designee, agents get access to a network of over 16,000 certified agents, customizable marketing materials, and social networking tools. This makes it great for real estate professionals in areas with a large aging population and cities where seniors prefer to stay at home rather than moving to a nursing home.

To earn the SRES® designation, first become a member of the NAR. Then, complete the SRES® designation course, which includes subjects like housing options for seniors, the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), how to protect elderly clients, and financing real estate with pensions, 401(k) accounts, and IRAs. Once you complete the course, you’ll get one free year of membership in the Seniors Real Estate Council®; annual dues are then $99 per year.

Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)

Purpose: To prepare real estate agents to more effectively assist real estate investors with the purchase of raw or developable land

The Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) certification is another designation reserved for NAR members. The designation enables real estate agents and brokers to better understand the nuances of investing in land. To obtain this certification, applicants must hold a current real estate license and have a minimum of two years experience in land sales or brokerage. Alternatively, applicants can demonstrate they have a minimum of three years of other relevant real estate experience.

Real estate professionals must also complete 104 course hours through the REALTORS® Land Institute’s LAND University (LANDU) program. This includes 48 course hours of electives and 56 hours of mandatory coursework. Upon completion of the required coursework, applicants must pass a final exam with a score of 70% or higher.

Accredited Staging Partner® (ASP®)

Purpose: To better assist sellers and landlords stage properties for photos and showings

The Accredited Staging Partner®️ (ASP®️) designation is offered by StagedHomes.com and teaches real estate agents how to work with Home Stagers®️, get the best staging price for their clients, and effectively communicate with clients about the value of home staging. To earn the ASP®️ designation, agents must take a one- or two-day in-person course or attend a live webinar through StagedHomes.com.

Agents and brokers can also become an Accredited Staging Professional®️ by taking the Stage®️ Training Course. This certification process teaches real estate professionals how to detail, declutter, depersonalize, and otherwise prepare a home for sale without the help of another staging professional. Choose this option if you want to grow your business with staging services rather than paying a third party for their services.

How to Earn Real Estate Certifications & Designations in 7 Steps

The process for earning a real estate certification or designation differs depending on the specialization and the issuing professional association or company. However, most certifications require a real estate professional to be a member of the issuing organization, meet specific education requirements, and demonstrate a certain amount of experience in a relevant area of real estate. What’s more, applicants frequently have to pass an exam and pay an annual fee.

The seven steps for getting real estate certifications online are:

1. Decide Which Certificate Fits Your Niche

When considering real estate certifications or designations, choose one that is consistent with your real estate niche or that will support you on your ideal professional growth path. Also, consider which certifications other agents you work with have already pursued and which have the most potential in your market. For example, if you’re a veteran and want to assist other military families with relocation, start with the Military Relocation Professional certification.

Check out our ultimate guide to real estate designations to learn more about whether a specialization is a good fit for you.

2. Gain & Document the Necessary Experience

Many designations, including Accredited Land Consultant and Certified Residential Specialist, require applicants to have a certain amount of experience in the relevant area of real estate. This information will be available on the certification sponsor’s website, so carefully review these details when considering which certifications and designations you’re qualified for and which require additional experience.

3. Join the Relevant Professional Association

Real estate designations are generally offered through a professional association, and designation is predicated on being a member. After identifying a certification to pursue, take the necessary steps to join its parent organization. This often involves completing an online application and paying annual membership fees. Just be sure you qualify for the certification before committing to a professional association you wouldn’t otherwise join.

4. Gather Professional References

A common element of certifications is gathering references to speak to your expertise in the relevant real estate niche. For example, the Certified Property Manager designation requires applicants to submit at least three professional license letters to demonstrate an agent’s expertise in the field. If you anticipate building your resume with certifications, speak with colleagues and begin requesting references relevant to each certification.

5. Meet the Education Requirements

Many real estate designations offer necessary coursework through the sponsoring professional organization. This is the case with certifications like the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation, which gives designees the ability to take a variety of electives through CCIM’s Ward Center for Real Estate Studies. However, some designations require that courses be taken through a third-party education provider like training4RE.com.

6. Complete the Necessary Application

Real estate certifications generally require agents to complete an application to demonstrate they’ve met the education and experience requirements. This can involve completing an online application form or otherwise submitting credentials and professional references through an organization’s online platform.

7. Maintain Your Certifications

After you earn a certification, you may need to keep education and membership dues current to maintain it over time. Generally, this involves taking certain continuing education courses or paying an annual membership fee to access designee resources. Ensure your designations are up-to-date by confirming renewal requirements with the certifying organization and incorporating them into your professional license renewal schedule so you don’t forget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best real estate designation?

The best real estate designation depends on your market and real estate niche. For example, if you live in an area with a large volume of investment lots or other undeveloped land, earn the Accredited Land Consultant designation. If you’re already a member of a professional association that offers certifications in your niche, start with those designations.

How do you get a real estate certification?

The process for earning a real estate certification can vary depending on the specific designation. However, real estate professionals should generally identify the niche they want to focus on, decide which certification fits their needs, and, if appropriate, join the professional organization that issues the certification. Once you identify the certification, complete necessary coursework and submit requisite application materials or other paperwork.

What is a GRI designation in real estate?

A Graduate Realtor® Institute (GRI) designation in real estate is available to National Association of Realtors® (NAR) members in good standing who also complete their state’s Realtor® Institute program. The program includes a minimum of 60 hours of coursework, including topics like market knowledge, business skills, and real estate systems and tools. With these added skills, agents stand out to potential clients as experts in their field.

How do I become a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist?

To become a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES), a real estate professional must pass a test administered by the U.S. Probate Services that evaluates their ability to manage complex probate property sales procedures. The CPRES designation is not required to handle real estate transactions in probate, but it can help earn the trust of clients and grow business.

Bottom Line

Real estate designations and certifications allow agents, brokers, and other professionals to specialize in areas of real estate that will help them better serve their market. To make the most of your real estate certifications, consider your niche and choose specializations that will expand your resume and grow your business.

If you think you may want to earn real estate certifications but are still developing your niche, you can explore different areas of expertise through career development courses. In addition to prelicensing and exam prep courses, McKissock Learning offers a range of continuing education so you can explore multiple real estate career options. Click here to learn more.