Top 10 Property Administrator Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a property administrator’s job market success. In the competitive real estate industry, certifications serve as proof of an individual’s knowledge and expertise in their field. A certification can demonstrate to potential employers that a property administrator has the necessary skills and qualifications to handle complex tasks related to property management. Additionally, certifications can help increase an individual’s salary potential and make them stand out among other applicants. Certifications also provide a valuable networking opportunity by connecting individuals with other professionals in the same field. Finally, certifications can help broaden a property administrator’s career prospects by opening up new opportunities for advancement or specialization within the field.

The article reviews and explains the value of some of the top certifications for Property Administrators and how they can help to advance one's career in the field.

What are Property Administrator Certifications?

Property Administrator Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage real estate investments. This certification program focuses on developing the skills necessary to effectively manage property, including budgeting, accounting, leasing, construction and maintenance management. It also covers topics such as legal issues, tenant relations and marketing strategies.

Having this certification can help individuals in their careers by providing them with the credentials that employers look for when hiring property administrators. It can also help professionals demonstrate their expertise in areas such as budgeting, leasing, and tenant relations. Having this certification can also give potential employers confidence in an individual’s abilities and provide them with a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, it may open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or allow individuals to pursue higher-level positions in the field of real estate management.

Pro Tip: When considering a property administrator certification, make sure to research the credentials and certifications offered by the organization offering the course. Ensure that the program is accredited and recognized in your field of study. Additionally, look for courses that offer real-world experience or hands-on learning opportunities to give you a better understanding of property administration.

Related: What does a Property Administrator do?

Top 10 Property Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Property Administrators today.

1. Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Certified Property Manager (CPM) is a professional designation awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). The CPM designation is a mark of excellence in the field of property management and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of experience, knowledge, and commitment to ethical business practices.

It typically takes around two years to complete the requirements for the CPM designation. To become a Certified Property Manager, you must have at least three years of full-time real estate management experience, complete an IREM-approved course in property management, pass an exam administered by IREM, and adhere to IREM's Code of Professional Ethics.

The cost for obtaining the CPM designation varies depending on the courses taken and other requirements. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$10,000 or more.

2. Certified Apartment Manager (CAM)

Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the knowledge, skills and abilities of apartment managers. It is administered by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and is recognized as the industry standard for apartment management professionals.

The CAM program consists of three components: an online course, an in-person exam, and a portfolio review. The online course covers topics such as budgeting, marketing, tenant relations, legal issues, maintenance operations, and more. The in-person exam tests your understanding of the material covered in the online course. Finally, the portfolio review assesses your experience in managing an apartment community.

It typically takes about 6-8 months to complete all three components of the CAM program. The cost of the program depends on whether you are a member or non-member of NAA. For members, it costs $295 for all three components; for non-members, it costs $395 for all three components.

3. Real Estate Management Professional (REMP)

Real Estate Management Professional (REMP) is a designation given to those who have achieved a certain level of knowledge and experience in the field of real estate management. REMP holders are recognized as having the highest level of expertise in the field, and they are expected to be able to provide exceptional service to their clients.

To become a Real Estate Management Professional, you must complete a minimum of 60 hours of approved education courses related to real estate management. These courses can include topics such as property management, leasing, marketing, finance, legal issues, and more. Once you have completed the required coursework, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited professional organization such as the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

The cost for becoming a Real Estate Management Professional varies depending on the organization offering the certification program. Generally speaking, it will cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 for all course materials and exam fees.

Once you have completed all requirements and passed the exam, you will receive your REMP designation. This process usually takes around six months or more depending on how quickly you can complete your coursework and take the exam.

4. Certified Residential Property Manager (CRPM)

A Certified Residential Property Manager (CRPM) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of residential property management. The CRPM certification is administered by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), an international organization dedicated to advancing the profession of real estate management.

To be eligible for the CRPM certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in residential property management and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as tenant relations, leasing, maintenance, budgeting, marketing, and legal issues. To maintain their certification, CRPMs must complete continuing education courses every two years.

The cost to become a CRPM varies depending on whether or not you are already an IREM member. For non-members, the cost is $395 for the application fee and $295 for the exam fee. For IREM members, it is $295 for the application fee and $195 for the exam fee. It typically takes about six weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

Overall, becoming a Certified Residential Property Manager (CRPM) is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in residential property management and can open up new career opportunities in this field.

5. Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)

Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) is a professional designation offered by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). It is designed to provide residential property managers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage residential properties. The ARM designation recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of residential property management.

The ARM program consists of three courses: Principles of Residential Property Management, Advanced Residential Property Management, and Financial Analysis for Residential Property Managers. Each course must be completed within 18 months in order to receive the designation. Once all three courses are completed, candidates must pass an exam in order to receive the ARM designation.

In order to get the ARM designation, you must first become a member of IREM and pay an annual membership fee. You will then need to register for each course individually and pay any associated fees. After completing all three courses, you will need to take and pass the exam in order to receive your ARM designation.

The cost for becoming an ARM varies depending on whether or not you are already an IREM member and how many courses you need to complete. The cost can range from $1,500 - $3,000 USD depending on these factors.

6. Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS)

Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the field of affordable housing. It is a certification program offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

To become a COS, an individual must complete a series of courses, pass an exam, and meet other requirements. The program includes online courses on topics such as fair housing laws, income eligibility requirements, tenant selection criteria, rent calculation methods, and more. The online courses can be completed at your own pace.

The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and must be taken in person at an approved testing center. The exam fee is $150 for NAHB members and $200 for non-members. To maintain the COS designation, individuals must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years.

Overall, it takes about 3-4 months to complete the COS program and become certified.

7. Certified Housing Professional (CHP)

Certified Housing Professional (CHP) is a professional certification offered by the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA). The CHP designation recognizes housing professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the management of affordable housing.

It typically takes between six to twelve months to complete the requirements for the CHP certification. To get certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as fair housing laws, tenant relations, financial management, and other aspects of affordable housing management. Applicants must also have at least two years of experience in affordable housing management or a related field.

The cost of obtaining the CHP certification varies depending on the type of exam taken and other factors. The cost typically ranges from $250-$500.

8. National Association of Residential Property Managers Designation (NARPM-D)

The National Association of Residential Property Managers Designation (NARPM-D) is a professional designation that recognizes the highest level of expertise and professionalism in residential property management. It is awarded to residential property managers who have achieved a certain level of experience and knowledge in the field.

In order to obtain the NARPM-D designation, an individual must first become a member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Once membership is obtained, an individual must then complete a series of courses and exams to demonstrate their understanding of the principles and practices of residential property management. This includes topics such as tenant relations, landlord/tenant law, managing finances, marketing and leasing properties, maintenance and repairs, legal issues, and more. After completing all coursework and exams successfully, individuals can apply for their NARPM-D designation.

The cost for obtaining the NARPM-D designation varies depending on the individual’s current membership status with NARPM. For non-members, the cost is $1,695. For members in good standing with NARPM, the cost is $1,495. Additionally, there are additional costs associated with taking any required courses or exams that may be necessary for completion of the program.

In total it takes approximately one year to complete all requirements for obtaining the NARPM-D designation. This includes completing all coursework and exams as well as submitting an application for consideration by a review board at NARPM headquarters. Upon successful completion of all requirements and approval from the review board, individuals will be awarded their NARPM-D designation which they can use to further their career in residential property management.

9. Institute of Real Estate Management Designation (IREM-D)

The Institute of Real Estate Management Designation (IREM-D) is a professional credential offered by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of real estate management. To earn the IREM-D designation, individuals must complete an approved educational program and pass a comprehensive exam.

The educational program consists of four courses: Principles of Real Estate Management, Financial Analysis for Real Estate Managers, Property Maintenance and Risk Management, and Legal Aspects of Real Estate Management. Each course takes approximately 20 hours to complete. In addition to completing these courses, applicants must also have three years of experience in real estate management or related fields.

Once all requirements are met, applicants must take the IREM-D examination which covers topics such as financial analysis, legal issues, property maintenance, risk management and other areas related to real estate management. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost for the IREM-D designation varies depending on the applicant's location and membership status with IREM. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500-$2,000 for non-members and $1,000-$1,500 for members.

10. Real Estate Administrator Certification Program (REACP)

The Real Estate Administrator Certification Program (REACP) is a comprehensive certification program designed to provide real estate professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful administrators. The program is offered by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and is open to all real estate professionals, regardless of experience level.

The REACP consists of four courses that cover topics such as real estate law, finance, marketing, and customer service. Each course requires approximately 25 hours of study time and can be completed at your own pace within a six-month period. Upon completion of all four courses, you will receive a certificate from NAR indicating that you have successfully completed the program.

To get started on the REACP, you must first register with NAR and pay a registration fee of $99. After registering, you will be given access to the online learning platform where you can begin taking courses. Once you have completed all four courses, you will need to submit an application for certification along with proof of course completion. Your application will then be reviewed by NAR for approval before your certificate is issued.

The cost for the REACP program is $99 plus any additional fees associated with taking individual courses or exams. It typically takes about six months to complete the program but this may vary depending on how quickly you are able to complete each course or exam.

Do You Really Need a Property Administrator Certificate?

Whether or not you need a property administrator certificate depends on the type of job you are looking for. If you are seeking a job as a property manager, then having a certificate can be beneficial. A certificate program can help you gain knowledge and skills in understanding how to manage properties, from budgeting and leasing to maintenance and tenant relations. It will also provide you with an understanding of the legal aspects of managing rental properties.

A property administrator certificate could give you an edge when it comes to finding employment in this field. Employers may view your certificate as proof that you are knowledgeable about the industry and have taken the initiative to learn what is necessary to succeed in this role. Furthermore, having a certification may also provide more opportunities for advancement within the company or organization.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a property administrator certificate depends on your goals and experience level. If you have prior experience in the field, then it might be unnecessary for your job search needs. However, if you feel like a certification would give you an advantage when applying for jobs, then it would be worth pursuing one.

Related: Property Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Property Administrator Certifications

1. What is a property administrator certification?

Answer: A property administrator certification is a credential that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in the area of property management. It demonstrates proficiency in topics such as tenant relations, landlord-tenant law, leasing, budgeting and financial management, maintenance and repair, and risk management.

2. What are the benefits of getting a property administrator certification?

Answer: The benefits of obtaining a property administrator certification include increased job opportunities, improved salary prospects, enhanced credibility among employers and peers, access to networking opportunities within the industry, and more comprehensive understanding of best practices.

3. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Property Administrator?

Answer: To become certified as a Property Administrator you should have at least three years of experience in the field as well as an undergraduate degree in business or real estate related subject area. You must also complete an approved training program or coursework from an accredited institution.

4. How much does it cost to get certified as a Property Administrator?

Answer: The cost for obtaining a property administrator certification varies depending on which organization you choose to certify through; however, most organizations charge between $200-$500 USD for the application fee plus additional fees for any preparation or review materials used during the exam process.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a Property Administrator?

Answer: The time frame for becoming certified as a Property Administrator will vary depending on your level of experience and how quickly you can complete all required coursework or training programs; however, many individuals are able to obtain their certification within six months to one year with adequate preparation and study time.