Invest in Yourself!

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. NAR and each affiliated group award designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise upon completion of required courses.

Almost all REALTORS® are required to take educational courses to maintain their real estate license to keep up to date in matters like Fair Housing and Discrimination, Ethics and the Law of Agency. Many REALTORS® seek out courses of intensive study in specific subject areas called ‘Designations’ or ‘Certifications’ which increase their knowledge and expertise to better help their clients.

Featured Designation: Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer clients at every stage of the home buying process.

The Designation courses will confer specific initials after your name upon completion.

Accredited Land Consultant / ALC
The esteemed Accredited Land Consultants are the most trusted, knowledgeable, experienced, and highest-producing experts in all segments of land.

Certified Commercial Investment Member / CCIM
The Certified Commercial Investment Member designation is commercial real estate’s global standard for professional achievement, earned through an extensive curriculum of 200 classroom hours and professional experiential requirements.

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.

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.

Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager / CRB
The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager 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.

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®.

Counselor of Real Estate® / CRE®
The Counselors of Real Estate® is an international group of recognized professionals who provide seasoned, expert, objective advice on real property and land-related matters.

General Accredited Appraiser / GAA
For general appraisers, this designation is awarded to those whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification.

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.

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.

Performance Management Network / PMN
This designation focuses on negotiating strategies and tactics, networking and referrals, business planning and systems, personal performance management and leadership development.

Residential Accredited Appraiser / RAA
For residential appraisers, this designation is awarded to those whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification.

Seller Representative Specialist / SRS
The Seller Representative Specialist designation is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance.

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.

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+.

Certifications do not confer initials but, REALTORS® can show their certificates of completion in their listing appointments.

At Home With Diversity® / AHWD®
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.

Certified Real Estate Team Specialist / C-RETS
The Certified Real Estate Team Specialist certification is designed to improve team development, individual leadership skills, and financial performance. It is for team leaders, team members, those looking to start a team, and those who simply want to sharpen their management skills.

e-PRO®
NAR’s e-PRO® certification teaches you to use cutting-edge technologies and digital initiatives to link up with today’s savvy real estate consumer.

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.

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.

Real Estate Negotiation Expert / RENE
This certification is for real estate professionals who want to sharpen their negotiation skills.

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.

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.

Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® (GCAR) has established an agreement with The CE Shop to promote online course information to consumers and real estate licensees. Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® (GCAR) is not the developer of these courses and is simply providing a referral. Any questions regarding course content or technology should be directed to The CE Shop.