Top 11 Real Estate Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for a real estate associate in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for. Certified real estate associates have demonstrated their commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. They also show potential employers that they are knowledgeable about regulations, laws, and best practices related to the field, which can be invaluable when competing for positions in the job market. Certifications provide an edge over other applicants who may not have taken the time to pursue additional qualifications.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Real Estate Associates and explain how they can help further a real estate associate's career.

What are Real Estate Associate Certifications?

Real estate associate certification is a type of professional certification that can help individuals in the real estate industry to gain recognition as a knowledgeable and experienced professional. This type of certification is usually obtained by taking courses related to the real estate industry and passing an exam. By obtaining this certification, individuals will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field of real estate, which can lead to more job opportunities, higher earning potential, and increased credibility. With this certification, you will be able to show employers that you have the necessary skills and qualifications for a successful career in real estate. Additionally, having this type of certification may allow you to take on more challenging roles within the real estate industry or even open up opportunities for advancement. Ultimately, having a real estate associate certification can help you stand out from your competition and increase your marketability as a qualified professional in the real estate industry.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a real estate associate certification, make sure to research the requirements for becoming certified in your state. Some states may require additional courses or licensing exams to become certified, so it’s important to know what is required before you begin the process.

Related: What does a Real Estate Associate do?

Top 11 Real Estate Associate Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Real Estate Associates today.

1. Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB)

A Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) is a designation given to real estate professionals who have completed an extensive educational program and demonstrated their knowledge of the real estate industry. The CRB designation is awarded by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI), which is a professional organization for real estate brokers, managers, and educators.

To become a CRB, you must first complete the REBI's three-day course on real estate brokerage management. This course covers topics such as legal issues, business planning, marketing, finance, and technology. After completing the course, you must then pass an exam that tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course. Once you have passed this exam, you will be eligible to apply for your CRB designation.

The cost of becoming a CRB varies depending on where you take the course and how long it takes to complete it. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more to become a CRB. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam or applying for your certification.

Once you have obtained your CRB designation, you will need to renew it every three years by completing continuing education courses related to real estate brokerage management. These courses are typically offered online or through local real estate schools and universities.

2. Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a professional designation awarded to experienced real estate agents who have demonstrated their expertise in residential real estate. CRS designees are recognized by the National Association of Realtors as having achieved the highest level of education and experience in residential real estate sales.

To become a CRS, an individual must complete a series of courses and pass an exam. The CRS Designation program consists of three core courses and two electives, which can be completed online or in-person. The core courses cover topics such as marketing, technology, finance, negotiations, and customer service. The elective courses focus on specific areas such as luxury home sales or international transactions.

It typically takes around six months to complete the required coursework and pass the exam to become a CRS Designee.

The cost for the entire program is $895 for members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Non-members pay $1,195 for the same program.

In addition to completing the coursework and passing the exam, individuals must also meet certain criteria to become a CRS Designee: they must have at least five years of full-time real estate experience; they must have closed at least 25 transaction sides within the past five years; they must be members in good standing with NAR; and they must adhere to NAR’s Code of Ethics.

3. Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)

Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) is a professional designation given by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The ABR designation is awarded to real estate agents who have completed specialized training in representing buyers in real estate transactions. This training includes courses on topics such as buyer representation, negotiation strategies, and working with buyers.

It typically takes about three months to complete the requirements for the ABR designation. To get the ABR designation, you must first join REBAC and then take two courses: a two-day ABR Designation Course and a one-day elective course. After completing both courses, you must pass an exam administered by REBAC. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your ABR designation.

The cost of getting an ABR designation varies depending on where you take the courses and whether or not you are already a member of REBAC. Generally speaking, it will cost around $500-$600 to get your ABR designation.

4. Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Certified Property Manager (CPM) is a professional designation offered by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved the highest level of professional achievement in the field of property management.

To become a CPM, an individual must first meet certain educational and experience requirements. These include having at least five years of full-time property management experience, a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, and completion of IREM’s CPM coursework. Once these requirements are met, an individual can apply for certification through IREM.

The process typically takes several months to complete and involves passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as financial management, legal issues, marketing, risk management, and tenant relations. The cost to obtain the CPM designation varies based on location but generally ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

5. Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)

Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) is a professional designation awarded by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). The ALC designation is the highest level of professional recognition for those who specialize in land-related services such as appraisal, consulting, management, and brokerage.

To become an ALC, applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in the field of land consulting or related disciplines. They must also pass a comprehensive exam administered by ASFMRA. The exam covers topics such as property law, taxation, finance, economics, and real estate principles.

The process to become an ALC typically takes about six months from start to finish. After submitting an application and passing the exam, applicants are required to attend a two-day orientation program before being officially recognized as an ALC.

The cost for becoming an ALC varies depending on the applicant's individual circumstances. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500-$2,000 to become an ALC which includes fees for the application process and exam materials as well as any additional educational requirements needed to complete the program.

6. Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) is a professional designation program offered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The CIPS program provides real estate professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively facilitate international real estate transactions.

The CIPS program consists of five courses that cover topics such as global market trends, cross-cultural relationships, and legal considerations for international transactions. To obtain the CIPS designation, applicants must complete all five courses and pass an exam. The courses can be completed online or in person at approved NAR locations.

The cost of the CIPS program varies depending on how you choose to take the courses. Online courses typically cost between $250-$500 per course, while in-person courses may cost up to $1,000 per course. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $150 for the CIPS designation.

In total, it typically takes about three months to complete all five courses and receive your CIPS designation.

7. E-PRO Certification

E-PRO Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). It is designed to give real estate professionals the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s digital world. The certification focuses on teaching agents how to use the latest technology, including social media, e-marketing, mobile marketing, and more.

The E-PRO Certification program consists of two courses: an online course that can be completed in about five hours and an in-person course that lasts for one day. The online course covers topics such as understanding digital marketing strategy, using social media for business, creating effective websites and blogs, leveraging mobile technology, and more. The in-person course provides hands-on training with experts in the field who can help agents apply what they learned from the online course.

To get E-PRO Certification, you must first complete both courses and pass the exams at the end of each course. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your certification from NAR.

The cost of E-PRO Certification varies depending on whether you are a member of NAR or not. For members of NAR, it costs $199 for both courses combined; nonmembers pay $299.

8. Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

A Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) is a real estate professional who has earned a designation from the National Association of REALTORS®. The SRES designation is designed to help REALTORS® better serve the needs of homebuyers and sellers aged 55 and over. It provides specialized knowledge about the unique needs of seniors, such as reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security benefits, and more.

It typically takes 6-12 months to earn the SRES designation. To get it, you must first be an active member in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS®. You must also complete two courses—the SRES Designation Course and the SRES Councils Networking Course—and pass their respective exams. You must also have at least two years of experience as a real estate agent or broker within the last five years.

The cost for obtaining the SRES designation varies depending on what courses you take and where you take them. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $400-$1,000 for all materials and fees associated with obtaining your designation.

9. Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI)

Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) is a professional designation program offered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It is designed to help real estate professionals expand their knowledge and skills in the areas of real estate law, finance, marketing, technology, and more. The GRI designation is recognized as a symbol of excellence in the real estate industry.

The GRI program consists of four courses that are each 8-10 hours long. In order to receive the GRI designation, students must complete all four courses within two years. The courses are offered both online and in-person at various locations throughout the United States.

In order to get started with the GRI program, you must first become a member of NAR. After becoming a member, you can register for the GRI courses through NAR’s website or by calling their customer service line. The cost for each course ranges from $99-$199 depending on which course you choose and if you take it online or in-person. Once you have completed all four courses, you will receive your official GRI certificate from NAR.

10. At Home With Diversity Certification

At Home With Diversity Certification is a program offered by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to help real estate professionals increase their knowledge and understanding of diversity, fair housing, and cultural differences. The certification provides agents with the tools and resources needed to serve all clients in a professional and respectful manner.

The At Home With Diversity Certification takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete. It consists of an online course that covers topics such as cultural competency, fair housing laws, and how to work with diverse clients. After completing the course, participants must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

To get the At Home With Diversity Certification, you must first be a member of NAR or have access to NAR’s Learning Management System (LMS). Once you are registered for the LMS, you can purchase the At Home With Diversity course for $99 USD. After completing the course and passing the final exam, you will receive your certification from NAR.

The cost of the At Home With Diversity Certification is $99 USD.

11. Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS)

Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) is a professional designation for real estate professionals who specialize in the buying, selling, leasing, managing and exchanging of resort and second-home properties. This includes vacation homes, timeshares, fractional ownership and other types of resort properties.

The RSPS designation requires that applicants successfully complete a course of study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The course consists of three parts: an online self-paced program, an online exam and a one-day in-person workshop. The cost for the course is $495.

To obtain the RSPS designation, applicants must first be members of NAR in good standing. They must also have at least two years of experience as a real estate licensee or broker and have completed at least six transactions related to resort or second home properties within the past two years.

Once all requirements are met, applicants can register for the RSPS course through NAR’s website. The online self-paced portion can be completed at any time and typically takes about 4–6 hours to complete. After successful completion of the online portion, applicants will receive instructions on how to take the online exam. Upon passing the exam with a score of 75% or higher, applicants will be invited to attend an in-person workshop where they will learn more about resort and second home property management best practices.

Once all requirements are fulfilled, applicants will receive their official RSPS designation certificate from NAR.

Do You Really Need a Real Estate Associate Certificate?

Yes, you do need a real estate associate certificate if you are planning to work in the real estate industry. This certificate is a great way to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the field. It is a sign of professionalism and dedication to your chosen career path.

The certificate provides proof that you have taken classes related to real estate law, finance, marketing, and other important aspects of the profession. It shows potential employers that you are well-versed in all areas of the business. It also gives you an edge over other applicants when it comes time for job interviews.

The certificate also serves as a way to boost your confidence and credibility when networking with other professionals or attending conferences or seminars related to real estate. Having this certification can give you an advantage in negotiations or when dealing with clients.

In addition, having a real estate associate certificate can help open up doors for promotion opportunities within your company or even lead to new job opportunities elsewhere. Many employers look for candidates who have completed this type of certification program as they are more likely to have a better understanding of the industry and be able to handle difficult tasks more efficiently than someone without one.

Overall, obtaining a real estate associate certificate is definitely worth considering if you want to make it in this competitive field. Investing in yourself now will pay off later as it can provide many benefits throughout your career!

Related: Real Estate Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Real Estate Associate Certifications

Q1. What is a Real Estate Associate Certification?

A1. A Real Estate Associate Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a high level of knowledge and expertise in the real estate industry. It is awarded to individuals who have completed an approved real estate program and passed an exam, demonstrating their understanding of topics such as property law, finance, and marketing.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Real Estate Associate?

A2. To become certified as a Real Estate Associate, you must complete an approved real estate program and pass an exam demonstrating your knowledge of the subject matter. You must also meet any additional requirements for your state or jurisdiction, such as completing continuing education courses or obtaining a license.

Q3. How long does it take to become certified as a Real Estate Associate?

A3. Depending on the program you choose to complete, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to become certified as a Real Estate Associate. This time frame also depends on the amount of time you are able to devote to studying each week and how quickly you are able to understand the material being taught in the program.

Q4. What benefits do I receive by becoming certified as a Real Estate Associate?

A4. Becoming certified as a Real Estate Associate can provide many benefits including increased earning potential, access to more job opportunities, increased credibility with clients and employers, higher levels of professional respect, and greater job satisfaction overall.

Q5. Is there continuing education required after I obtain my certification?

A5: Yes, most states require that real estate associates complete continuing education courses in order to maintain their certifications. The number of hours required vary by state but typically range from 8-16 hours per year depending on whether or not you are licensed in that state or jurisdiction