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.
Real estate designations and certifications through NAR are specialized credentials for REALTORS®. Both designations and certifications are forms of real estate agent education that require real estate professionals to be active members of NAR. The difference between the two is that a designation requires annual dues, but a certification only requires an application fee without annual dues.
Designation and Certification Guidelines and Promotional Materials for Associations
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.
Accredited Buyer’s Representative / ABR®
ABR® designees advocate for homebuyers, and are recognized as distinguished agents in the industry. The designation program establishes a foundation of training, skills, and resources to help real estate professionals succeed as a buyer’s representative.
Presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council) and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact REBAC at rebac@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) 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.
Presented by the REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI)
Contact RLI at 800.441.5263 or rli@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail).
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.
Presented by the CCIM Institute
Contact CCIM at 800-621-7027 or www.CCIM.com(link is external).
Certified International Property Specialist / CIPS
Instantly align yourself with the best in international real estate by earning the CIPS designation. The designation requires completion of five full-day courses focusing on the critical aspects of international real estate transactions. CIPS designees are connected to an influential network of over 3,500 professionals who turn to each other first when looking for referral partners.
- Designation overview
- See course information for U.S. residents.
- See course information for non-U.S. residents.
- See course information for Association Executives.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact Member Support at CIPS@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 1-800-874-6500 ext. 8369.
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.
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.
Visit REBInstitute.com(link is external) or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@REBInstitute.com(link sends e-mail) 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®.
Presented by Residential Real Estate Council
Contact RRC at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us(link is external) 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(link sends e-mail).
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®.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact GAA program staff at 800-874-6500 ext. 8268 or email appraisal@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail).
NAR’s GREEN Designation / GREEN
Through NAR’s GREEN Designation, the GREEN REsource Council provides ongoing education, resources and tools to help real estate practitioners find, understand, and market properties with green features.
Presented by The GREEN REsource Council and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact The GREEN REsource Council at green@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 800-648-6224.
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.
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.
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.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact Renee Holland at 312-329-8545 or rholland@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail).
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®.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact RAA program staff at 312-329-8268 or email appraisal@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail).
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.
Visit www.REBInstitute.com(link is external) or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@rebinstitute.com(link sends e-mail) or 800-621-8738.
Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® / SIOR
The SIOR designation is held by only the most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists. To earn it, designees must meet standards of experience, production, education, ethics, and provide recommendations.
- See course information for North American residents.
- See course information for non-North America residents.
Presented by Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®
Contact SIOR at 202-449-8200.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist® / SRES®
The SRES® Designation program educates REALTORS® on how to profitably and ethically serve the real estate needs of the fastest growing market in real estate, clients age 50+. By earning the SRES® designation, you gain access to valuable member benefits, useful resources, and networking opportunities across the U.S. and Canada to help you in your business.
Presented by SRES® Council and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact SRES® Council at sres@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 800-500-4564.
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.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
For more information on this course and its business principles, please contact us at ahwd@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) 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.
Visit www.REBInstitute.com(link is external) or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@REBInstitute.com(link sends e-mail) 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.
Presented by Residential Real Estate Council
Contact RRC at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us(link is external) or 800-462-8841.
e-PRO®
NAR’s e-PRO® certification program helps REALTORS® master the advanced digital marketing techniques of today. With the e-PRO® certification, REALTORS® increase their ability to reach customers, expand their capabilities, and build trust by safeguarding client information.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact e-PRO® at epro@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 877-397-3132.
Home Finance Resource (HFR)
The Home Finance Resource Certification course is designed to teach REALTORS® how to explain key pieces of the loan origination process to clients and confidently answer questions about mortgage options.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact HFR at hfr@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 833-383-2604.
Inside Sales Agent
The Inside Sales Agent certification program teaches REALTORS® the art of cultivating leads and adding qualified customers to the office’s sales funnel. The certification provides opportunities to learn and practice the skills and techniques top agents use to turn leads to clients and existing customers into repeat business while helping you build your lucrative career.
Presented by the Residential Real Estate Council.
Contact RRC at crs.com/about-us/contact-us(link is external).
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.
Presented by the Residential Real Estate Council
Contact us at CRSHelp@crs.com(link sends e-mail).
Military Relocation Professional / MRP
NAR’s Military Relocation Professional certification focuses on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact us at MRP@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 888-648-8321.
Pricing Strategy Advisor / PSA
Enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values with NAR’s PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor) certification.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact us at pricingstrategyadvisor.org/contact-us/(link is external).
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.
Presented by the Residential Real Estate Council.
Contact RRC at crs.com/about-us/contact-us(link is external).
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.
Presented by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI)
Contact REBI at 800-621-8738 or info@rebinstitute.com(link sends e-mail).
Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist / RSPS
This certification is designed for REALTORS® who facilitate the buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination are involved in this market niche.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact us at resort@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) or 800-874-6500 ext. 8320.
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.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS® and the Center for REALTOR® Development
Contact us at sfr@nar.realtor(link sends e-mail) 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.
Presented by Residential Real Estate Council
Contact RRC at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us(link is external) or 800-462-8841.