Top 11 Leasing Consultant Certifications

Certifications for a leasing consultant are important because they demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field. They can provide an edge in the competitive job market by showing potential employers that the individual has the necessary skills and qualifications to work as a leasing consultant. Certifications also show that the individual is committed to continuing education and staying up-to-date with industry trends, which is critical for success in this line of work. Finally, certifications can be used to prove competency when applying for promotions or higher-level positions within a company.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Leasing Consultants and explain how they can help improve a leasing consultant's career.

What are Leasing Consultant Certifications?

Leasing consultant certification is a professional designation offered by the National Apartment Association (NAA). It is designed to help leasing consultants demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the apartment industry. By earning this certification, a leasing consultant can prove their expertise in areas such as customer service, leasing regulations, marketing, and other necessary skills for success in the field.

The NAA offers two levels of certification: Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP) and Master Apartment Leasing Professional (MALP). Those who complete either of these certifications will be able to provide evidence of their training and qualifications when applying for jobs or seeking promotion.

In addition to demonstrating knowledge and abilities, obtaining this certification can also help increase a leasing consultant's marketability. Employers may view applicants with this designation more favorably than those without it because it shows that they have taken the initiative to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Ultimately, earning a leasing consultant certification can give individuals a competitive edge in the job market while helping them develop valuable skills that will improve their performance on the job.

Pro Tip: Before signing up for a leasing consultant certification course, make sure to do your research and read reviews from current and past students. This will help you determine the quality of the course and ensure that you are getting the most out of your investment.

Related: What does a Leasing Consultant do?

Top 11 Leasing Consultant Certifications

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

1. Certified Leasing Professional (CLP)

Certified Leasing Professional (CLP) is a professional certification program offered by the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI). The CLP program is designed to provide leasing professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their roles. It consists of five courses that cover topics such as customer service, marketing, legal issues, and financial management. The program also includes an online exam that must be passed in order to receive the certification.

The CLP program typically takes six months to complete. During this time, participants will need to complete all five courses and pass the online exam. Each course is self-paced and can be completed at any time. The cost of the program varies depending on how many courses are taken and if any additional materials are purchased.

In order to become a Certified Leasing Professional (CLP), applicants must have at least two years of experience in the apartment industry or related field. They must also have a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as demonstrate a commitment to continuing education in the field of leasing. Applicants must submit an application along with proof of experience and qualifications for consideration into the program.

Once accepted into the CLP program, participants will need to complete all five courses within six months and pass an online exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their certification. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate from NAAEI recognizing them as a Certified Leasing Professional (CLP).

2. Certified Apartment Leasing Agent (CALA)

A Certified Apartment Leasing Agent (CALA) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s expertise in the apartment leasing industry. This certification is offered by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and provides recognition for those who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in the area of leasing apartments.

The CALA certification requires applicants to complete an online course that covers topics such as rental laws, marketing, customer service, lease agreements, and more. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and consists of 10 modules.

To become certified, applicants must pass the CALA exam with a score of 80% or higher. The exam fee is $75 for NAA members and $100 for non-members. Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their official CALA certificate from the NAA.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also meet certain eligibility requirements in order to be certified as a CALA. These requirements include having at least two years of experience in apartment leasing or management, being employed by an NAA member company, and completing at least 12 hours of continuing education credits every three years in order to maintain their certification status.

3. Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Certified Property Manager (CPM) is a professional designation given to property managers who have met the educational and experience requirements set by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). To become a CPM, an individual must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of real estate management, including financial analysis, legal issues, leasing, tenant relations, and marketing.

The process of becoming a CPM typically takes two to three years and requires completion of IREM’s CPM program. This program consists of eight courses that cover topics such as asset management, budgeting, capital improvements, human resources management, and risk management. After completing the coursework, individuals must pass an exam administered by IREM in order to receive their CPM designation.

The cost for the CPM program varies depending on whether or not you are an IREM member. For members, the cost is $2,500 for all eight courses plus the exam fee. For non-members, it is $3,400 for all eight courses plus the exam fee. Additionally, there are annual fees associated with maintaining your CPM designation which range from $100 - $500 depending on your membership status with IREM.

4. National Apartment Association’s Certified Occupancy Specialist (NAA-COS)

The National Apartment Association’s Certified Occupancy Specialist (NAA-COS) program is a comprehensive training and certification program designed to help apartment professionals better understand the complexities of the occupancy process. The NAA-COS provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the Fair Housing Act, HUD regulations, tenant selection criteria, and other important topics related to occupancy management.

The program consists of three parts: an online course, a proctored exam, and a live webinar. The online course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and covers topics such as fair housing law, rental policies and procedures, tenant screening criteria, lease agreements, security deposits and more. After completing the online course, participants must pass a proctored exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their NAA-COS certification. Finally, participants must attend a live webinar which covers additional topics related to occupancy management.

The cost for the NAA-COS program varies depending on whether you are an NAA member or not. For non-members, the cost is $250 plus applicable taxes; for members it is $200 plus applicable taxes. The cost includes access to the online course materials as well as one attempt at the proctored exam. Additional attempts at the exam can be purchased for $50 each.

Overall, it should take about 10 hours total to complete all three parts of the NAA-COS program: 8 hours for the online course; 1 hour for the proctored exam; and 1 hour for the live webinar.

5. National Apartment Association’s Certified Professional of Occupancy (NAA-CPO)

The National Apartment Association’s Certified Professional of Occupancy (NAA-CPO) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field of apartment occupancy. It is designed to help professionals stay up to date on the latest trends and regulations related to the rental housing industry.

To earn the NAA-CPO designation, individuals must complete an online course and pass a comprehensive exam. The course covers topics such as Fair Housing laws, tenant screening, lease agreements, landlord/tenant relationships, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering these topics.

The NAA-CPO certification typically takes about 8 weeks to complete from start to finish. To get started, individuals must register for the online course on the National Apartment Association’s website. The cost of the course and exam is $399. Upon successful completion of the course and passing of the exam, individuals will receive their NAA-CPO certification.

6. National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP)

National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize leasing professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill in the apartment leasing industry. The NALP certification is administered by the National Apartment Association (NAA), an organization that represents the interests of multifamily housing owners, managers, developers, and suppliers.

The NALP certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in the apartment leasing industry. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, marketing, legal issues, fair housing laws, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can be taken online or in person at an approved testing center.

To get certified as a NALP, applicants must submit an application form with their resume and pay a fee of $199 for members of the National Apartment Association or $249 for non-members. Once approved, applicants will receive their certification within four weeks.

The NALP credential is valid for three years from the date it was issued. To maintain their certification, individuals must complete 12 hours of continuing education credits during each three-year period.

7. Institute of Real Estate Management’s Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)

The Institute of Real Estate Management’s (IREM) Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully manage residential real estate. The ARM designation is awarded to those who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of residential property management.

The ARM program consists of three courses: Principles of Residential Property Management, Financial Analysis for Residential Property Management, and Legal Aspects of Residential Property Management. Each course must be completed within two years in order to qualify for the ARM designation.

In order to apply for the ARM program, applicants must have at least two years of experience in residential property management or equivalent education/experience in real estate-related fields. Applicants must also pass an online examination demonstrating their knowledge and proficiency in the areas covered by each course.

The cost of the ARM program varies depending on IREM chapter membership status and whether or not you need to purchase textbooks. The total cost typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

8. Institute of Real Estate Management’s Certified Property Manager (CPM)

The Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). It is designed to recognize experienced property managers who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, experience, and commitment to the real estate management industry. The CPM credential is one of the most respected credentials in the real estate industry and signifies that an individual has achieved a high level of expertise in managing all aspects of a property’s operations.

To be eligible for the CPM designation, an individual must have at least five years of full-time experience in real estate management or related fields, including four years as a manager. In addition, applicants must have completed at least 48 hours of IREM-approved coursework within the past 10 years. Applicants must also pass two examinations: one on financial management and one on operations management.

The entire process typically takes about six months to complete. To get started, individuals must first apply for membership with IREM and pay an application fee. Once approved for membership, applicants can then register for the CPM program and pay additional fees for their coursework and exams.

The total cost for obtaining the CPM credential varies depending on how many courses are taken and which exam option is chosen (online or paper/pencil). Generally speaking, it costs around $2,000-$3,000 to obtain the CPM designation.

9. National Multi Housing Council’s Certified Apartment Manager (CAM)

The Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC). The CAM designation is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of competence and professionalism in the management of apartment communities. The CAM program consists of three parts: a comprehensive exam, an online course, and an on-site assessment.

The comprehensive exam tests knowledge in areas such as leasing and marketing, maintenance and operations, tenant relations, financial management, risk management, safety and security, legal compliance, and human resources. This exam must be completed before taking the online course.

The online course is designed to help students gain the necessary skills to become successful apartment managers. It covers topics such as customer service strategies, budgeting and accounting principles, legal compliance issues, property maintenance techniques, marketing plans for leasing apartments, and more. The online course takes approximately six weeks to complete.

The on-site assessment is conducted by a team of NMHC-certified assessors who evaluate the applicant’s performance in various areas of apartment management. This assessment includes interviews with staff members and tenants; observation of daily operations; review of documents such as leases; analysis of financial statements; review of maintenance logs; and more.

The cost for the CAM program varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD. There are also additional costs associated with travel expenses for the on-site assessment if it is not conducted at your property or within your region.

10. National Multi Housing Council's Advanced Certified Apartment Manager (ACAM)

The National Multi Housing Council's Advanced Certified Apartment Manager (ACAM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize apartment managers who have achieved an advanced level of knowledge and experience in the multifamily housing industry. This certification provides recognition for those who have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence in their field.

The ACAM program consists of three parts: a comprehensive online course, an online exam, and a portfolio review. The online course covers topics such as property management fundamentals, marketing and leasing strategies, resident relations, legal issues, financial management, maintenance operations and more. The online exam tests the student’s comprehension of the material covered in the course. Finally, the portfolio review evaluates the student’s ability to apply what they have learned to their own property management practices.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete all three parts of the ACAM program. To get started on the path to becoming an ACAM certified manager, you must first register for the program through NMHC’s website. Once registered, you will be provided with access to the online course materials and instructions on how to complete each part of the program.

The cost for registration is $695 for members of NMHC or $895 for non-members. This fee includes access to all course materials and exams as well as one year of membership with NMHC which provides additional resources and support throughout your certification process.

11. International Council of Shopping Centers' Accredited Leasing Professional/Accredited Retail Property Executive Program

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Accredited Leasing Professional/Accredited Retail Property Executive (ALP/ARPE) Program is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in retail real estate leasing and management. The program is designed to provide industry professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to effectively manage retail properties.

The ALP/ARPE Program consists of two levels: the Accredited Leasing Professional (ALP) and the Accredited Retail Property Executive (ARPE). The ALP Program focuses on leasing fundamentals, while the ARPE Program focuses on advanced leasing techniques and property management strategies.

To become certified as an ALP or ARPE, applicants must complete an application process that includes submitting a resume, providing references, taking an online assessment test and attending a one-day workshop. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by ICSC. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on topics such as legal considerations, finance and accounting principles, leasing principles, tenant relations and marketing strategies.

The cost for the ALP/ARPE Program varies depending on the level of certification sought. For example, the cost for the ALP Program is $395 for members ($495 for non-members), while the cost for the ARPE Program is $595 for members ($695 for non-members).

Once all requirements are met, it typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive certification from ICSC.

Do You Really Need a Leasing Consultant Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a leasing consultant certificate to work in the field. However, having one can be beneficial for those who want to get ahead in the industry and stand out from other candidates.

Leasing consultants are responsible for finding new tenants, promoting properties, and providing excellent customer service. A certificate in leasing consultant can provide applicants with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this field. These courses cover topics such as property management, marketing principles, tenant relations, customer service strategies, rental agreements and more. With this knowledge, you will be better equipped to handle difficult situations that arise with tenants or landlords.

In addition to gaining valuable knowledge and skills through a leasing consultant certificate program, it can also help boost your resume when applying for jobs. Having a certificate may give you an edge over other applicants who don't have one because it shows employers that you are committed to your career and have taken the initiative to learn about the industry.

Overall, having a leasing consultant certificate is not necessary but it does provide many benefits that can help you advance your career in this field. It's important to weigh all of your options before making a decision on whether or not to pursue a certificate program.

Related: Leasing Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Leasing Consultant Certifications

1. What is a Leasing Consultant Certification?

A Leasing Consultant Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage residential or commercial property leasing operations. The certification requires successful completion of an exam administered by a third-party organization such as the National Apartment Association (NAA).

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

The primary benefit of obtaining a Leasing Consultant Certification is increased job security and competitive advantage in the marketplace. It demonstrates to employers and customers that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to competently perform their role as a leasing consultant. Additionally, it may lead to higher pay, better job opportunities, and improved job satisfaction.

3. How much does it cost to obtain a Leasing Consultant Certification?

The cost for obtaining a Leasing Consultant Certification varies depending on which third-party organization is administering the exam and where you take it. Generally, exams range from $50-$200, with some requiring additional fees for study materials or registration fees.

4. What topics are covered in the Leasing Consultant Certification Exam?

Typical topics covered in the exam include basic management principles such as budgeting, marketing, customer relations, leasing procedures and laws, ethics, fair housing regulations, tenant screening criteria, lease agreements, maintenance issues and more.

5. How long does it take to receive my certification once I pass the exam?

Once you have successfully passed your exam you will receive your certification within 4-6 weeks via mail or email depending on which third-party organization administered your test.