Top 11 Leasing Assistant Certifications

Certifications for a leasing assistant in the job market are important because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job. They also provide evidence of professional development and can help a leasing assistant stand out from other applicants. Certifications show that an individual is committed to their profession and is highly qualified for any position they apply for. Certifications can also open up more opportunities, such as higher salaries and promotions, as employers often look favorably upon those with certifications.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Leasing Assistants and discuss how they can enhance a leasing assistant's career.

What are Leasing Assistant Certifications?

Leasing Assistant Certification is a certification program designed to provide leasing professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the leasing industry. It provides a comprehensive overview of the leasing process, from understanding tenant rights and responsibilities to correctly completing lease paperwork. Participants also learn about fair housing laws, rental market trends, and marketing strategies for filling vacancies. By obtaining this certification, leasing professionals can demonstrate their expertise in the field and become more attractive candidates for employment opportunities. Additionally, having this certification may help leasing assistants qualify for higher salaries or promotions due to their increased knowledge base.

Pro Tip: When considering a leasing assistant certification program, look for one that is accredited by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and approved by the state in which you plan to work. This ensures that the program meets certain standards and that it will be recognized by employers.

Related: What does a Leasing Assistant do?

Top 11 Leasing Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Leasing Assistants today.

1. Certified Leasing Professional (CLP)

Certified Leasing Professional (CLP) is a certification program offered by the National Apartment Association (NAA). It is designed to provide leasing professionals with an in-depth understanding of the apartment industry, its operations and regulations. The CLP program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of leasing professionals in order to better serve their tenants and their employers.

The CLP program consists of five courses that are completed online. Each course covers a different aspect of the apartment industry, including legal issues, marketing, customer service, and property management. The courses can be completed at your own pace and typically take between six and eight weeks to complete.

In order to obtain your CLP certification, you must pass all five courses with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have successfully passed all five courses, you will receive your CLP certificate from the NAA.

The cost for the CLP program varies depending on whether you are an NAA member or not. For non-members, the total cost for the entire program is $595. For members, it is $495. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking each individual course as well as any applicable taxes or shipping costs for receiving your certificate once you have successfully completed the program.

2. Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Certified Property Manager (CPM) is a professional designation awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). It is designed to recognize experienced and knowledgeable property managers who have demonstrated their expertise in the field. The CPM designation is considered one of the highest achievements in the real estate management industry.

To become a Certified Property Manager, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least three years of full-time experience as a property manager;
• Pass an exam administered by IREM;
• Complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years; and
• Abide by IREM’s Code of Professional Ethics.

The exam consists of four sections: financial management, operations, human resources, and legal/regulatory issues. The exam takes about four hours to complete and costs $450 for IREM members and $650 for non-members. You can also take courses through IREM to prepare for the exam. These courses cost between $200-$400 depending on which ones you take. Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements, you will receive your CPM designation from IREM.

3. Certified Apartment Manager (CAM)

Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) is a professional designation offered by the National Apartment Association (NAA). It is designed to provide apartment professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage an apartment community. The CAM program consists of three courses: Property Management, Financial Management, and Human Resources Management.

It typically takes approximately six months to complete all three courses and receive your CAM certification. To get started, you will need to register for the CAM program through the NAA website. Once registered, you will be able to access online course materials and take exams at your own pace.

The cost for the CAM program varies depending on whether you are an NAA member or not. For members, the cost is $795; for non-members, it is $895. In addition to this fee, there may be additional costs associated with taking exams in person at a testing center.

4. National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP)

National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) is a professional certification program that recognizes leasing professionals who demonstrate the highest level of knowledge and skill in the multifamily housing industry. It is designed to help leasing professionals stay current on industry trends and best practices, while also providing them with the tools they need to excel in their roles.

To get the NALP certification, you must first complete an approved training program. This includes completing a minimum of 12 hours of classroom instruction, as well as passing an online exam. Once you have completed the training and passed the exam, you will receive your NALP certification.

The cost for obtaining your NALP certification varies depending on which training provider you choose. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $400 to $1,000 or more.

It typically takes between one to two months to complete the NALP program and receive your certification.

5. Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE)

Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) is a professional designation offered by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI). It is designed to help real estate professionals become better negotiators, helping them to close more deals and increase their income.

The RENE designation requires a minimum of 18 hours of instruction, including both classroom and online courses. The curriculum covers topics such as negotiation strategies, communication techniques, ethics, legal issues, and market analysis. To earn the RENE designation, candidates must pass an exam administered by RENI.

To get the RENE designation, you must first complete the required coursework and then register for the exam with RENI. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$200. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official RENE certificate in the mail within four to six weeks.

The cost of obtaining the RENE designation varies depending on where you take your courses and how many courses you take. Generally speaking, completing all 18 hours of instruction can range from $500-$1000 or more.

6. Fair Housing Certification

Fair Housing Certification is a program that certifies individuals and organizations as housing professionals who have been trained in fair housing laws and practices. The certification is designed to ensure that those involved in the housing industry are knowledgeable about the Fair Housing Act and its implications. It also encourages people to practice fair housing principles in their daily work.

The certification process typically takes between two to four weeks, depending on the complexity of the application. To obtain certification, applicants must complete an online course or attend a training session provided by a qualified organization such as HUD or a state or local fair housing agency. After completing the course or attending the training session, applicants must pass an exam covering topics related to fair housing laws and practices.

The cost of obtaining Fair Housing Certification varies depending on the type of course taken and other factors such as location and length of time spent studying for the exam. Generally, courses range from $50-$200 while exams can cost up to $100.

7. Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS)

Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) is a professional certification offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). It is designed to help housing professionals understand the complexities of managing and operating rental housing, including compliance with fair housing laws and regulations.

To become certified as a COS, individuals must pass an exam administered by NAHB. The exam covers topics such as tenant screening and selection, lease agreements, rent collection, maintenance and repair, evictions, tenant relations, and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes about three hours to complete.

In order to take the COS exam, individuals must first purchase a study guide from NAHB for $75. Once purchased, they can take the online practice test at no additional cost. After passing the practice test with a score of 80% or higher, they can register for the COS exam.

The fee for taking the COS exam is $225 for NAHB members or $325 for non-members. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals will receive their Certified Occupancy Specialist certificate from NAHB.

8. Certified Residential Property Manager (CRPM)

A Certified Residential Property Manager (CRPM) is a professional designation awarded by the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in residential property management. The CRPM designation requires that an individual demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill in all aspects of residential property management, including tenant relations, financial management, legal compliance, and marketing.

In order to obtain the CRPM designation, an individual must complete a minimum of 30 hours of coursework from NARPM-approved providers. This coursework must include topics such as tenant screening, lease preparation, fair housing laws, and risk management. Additionally, applicants must have at least two years of experience in residential property management or related fields.

To become certified as a CRPM, applicants must pass an exam administered by NARPM. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as tenant relations, financial management, legal compliance and marketing.

The cost for the certification is $350 for members of NARPM and $500 for non-members. The cost includes the exam fee and access to study materials. Once certified, individuals are required to complete continuing education courses every two years in order to maintain their certification status.

9. Certified Tax Credit Specialist (CTCS)

Certified Tax Credit Specialist (CTCS) is a professional designation offered by the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP). It is designed to recognize tax professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in the field of tax credits. The CTCS credential is a way for taxpayers to identify qualified professionals who can help them maximize their tax credit opportunities.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam administered by the NATP. Applicants must have at least two years of experience preparing taxes or providing related services, such as accounting or bookkeeping. They must also complete at least 24 hours of continuing education courses related to tax credits and pass the CTCS exam with a score of 75% or higher.

The process typically takes six months to one year to complete, depending on how quickly you can complete the required coursework and study for the exam. The cost to become certified varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $300-$500.

10. Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)

Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) is a professional designation awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). It is a comprehensive credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, experience, and expertise in the residential property management field.

In order to obtain the ARM designation, an individual must successfully complete three required courses and two elective courses through IREM’s online learning platform. The three required courses are: Property Management Principles & Practices, Financial Management for Residential Properties, and Human Resources for Residential Properties. The two elective courses can be chosen from a selection of topics such as Leasing & Marketing Strategies for Residential Properties, Legal Issues for Residential Properties, or Risk Management for Residential Properties.

The entire program takes approximately six months to complete depending on how quickly one can work through the material. Each course has its own set of assignments and tests that must be completed before moving onto the next course.

The cost to obtain the ARM designation varies but typically ranges between $1,000-$2,000 USD depending on which elective courses you choose and if you are an IREM member or not.

11. National Affordable Housing Professional Certification Program (NAHP-CP).

The National Affordable Housing Professional Certification Program (NAHP-CP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals in the affordable housing industry for their expertise and commitment to excellence. The NAHP-CP is offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The NAHP-CP certification requires applicants to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to affordable housing. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in the affordable housing field and pass an exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as financing, development, management, and policy related to affordable housing.

The entire process typically takes between four to six months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application with proof of their experience in the affordable housing field. Once approved, applicants will receive information on how to register for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants must submit proof of continuing education credits earned within three years prior to applying for certification renewal every three years.

The cost of taking the NAHP-CP exam is $300 for members of NAHB or $450 for non-members. Additionally, there is a fee of $50 per year for renewing your certification every three years.

Do You Really Need a Leasing Assistant Certificate?

The short answer is no. However, if you are looking to become a leasing assistant and pursue a career in the real estate industry, then having a Leasing Assistant Certificate could certainly be beneficial. This credential can demonstrate your knowledge of the leasing process and give potential employers greater confidence in your abilities. The certificate will also show that you have taken the time to invest in learning the necessary skills to succeed in this position.

Having a Leasing Assistant Certificate may also open up additional job opportunities and help you stand out from other applicants who do not possess it. In addition, many states and localities require certain certifications or licenses for certain positions in the real estate industry, such as property managers or leasing agents. Having this certification could help you meet those requirements and make it easier for you to find work.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a Leasing Assistant Certificate is up to you. If you feel that it would be beneficial for your career goals, then it’s worth considering obtaining one. However, if you are confident in your knowledge and experience related to leasing processes and procedures, then there is no need to pursue this credential.

Related: Leasing Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Leasing Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Leasing Assistant Certification?

A Leasing Assistant Certification is a specialized certification program designed to provide leasing professionals with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to succeed in the leasing industry. The certification focuses on various topics such as customer service, marketing, legal issues, and financial management.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Leasing Assistant Certification?

Obtaining a Leasing Assistant Certification can help you gain the expertise necessary to effectively manage leasing operations. It also provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to professional development and increase your earning potential in the field.

3. Is there an exam associated with obtaining a Leasing Assistant Certification?

Yes, most certifications require passing an examination in order to earn the designation.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Leasing Assistant?

The time required for completion varies depending on individual circumstances and training objectives, but typically it takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete all of the necessary requirements for certification.

5. Is there any cost associated with obtaining a Leasing Assistant Certification?

Yes, some programs may require payment of tuition fees or other costs associated with enrollment in their certification program. However, these costs vary from program to program so it is important to research each one thoroughly before making any decisions.