Top 10 Real Estate Broker Certifications

Certifications for real estate brokers are important in the job market because they demonstrate a professional level of knowledge and expertise. They also provide potential employers with evidence that the broker is qualified to handle complex real estate transactions. Certifications can give a broker an edge over other candidates, as they show that the broker is dedicated to their craft and has taken the extra step to gain specialized knowledge in the field. Additionally, certifications help brokers stay up-to-date on industry trends and regulations, which can be essential when working with clients.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Real Estate Brokers and explains how they can contribute to a real estate broker's career growth.

What are Real Estate Broker Certifications?

Real estate broker certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a higher level of expertise in the field of real estate. To obtain this certification, an individual must pass an examination that tests their knowledge and understanding of real estate laws and principles. This certification can be beneficial in many ways, including providing brokers with more credibility and authority when dealing with clients, increasing their earning potential by allowing them to charge higher commissions, and providing them with access to exclusive networking opportunities with other professionals in the industry. Additionally, having this certification can demonstrate a commitment to the profession and help brokers stand out from the competition.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements for real estate broker certification in your state or region before taking any courses or exams. Each state may have different rules and regulations that must be followed in order to become a certified real estate broker. Knowing what’s required ahead of time can help ensure you don’t miss any important steps along the way.

Related: What does a Real Estate Broker do?

Top 10 Real Estate Broker Certifications

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

1. Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB)

Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) is a professional designation offered by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI). It is designed to recognize real estate professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, experience, and ethical standards in the management of real estate brokerage operations.

The CRB designation requires a minimum of three years of active real estate brokerage experience as well as successful completion of five courses: The Essentials of Real Estate Management, Managing Risk in Real Estate Transactions, The Role of the Brokerage Manager, Legal Issues in Brokerage Management, and Financial Analysis for Brokers. In addition to the coursework, applicants must also pass an examination covering all aspects of real estate brokerage management.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all requirements for the CRB designation. Applicants should plan on spending at least 40 hours studying for each course and preparing for the exam.

The cost to obtain the CRB designation varies depending on which courses are taken and where they are taken. Depending on these factors, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 USD to obtain the CRB designation.

2. Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a professional designation awarded by the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS). It is the highest credential awarded to residential real estate agents, managers, and brokers. The CRS designation recognizes professionals who have completed advanced training in listing and selling, and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate.

To obtain the CRS designation, you must complete a minimum of 75 hours of approved education courses related to residential real estate sales and marketing, including a two-day CRS Designation Course. You must also have at least three years of full-time real estate experience or equivalent part-time experience within the past five years.

The cost for the CRS Designation Course is $395 for members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and $495 for non-members. Additionally, there are other costs associated with obtaining the CRS designation, such as application fees and annual renewal fees.

Once you have completed all requirements, it typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive your official CRS designation certificate from the Council of Residential Specialists.

3. Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)

Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) is a professional real estate designation awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC). It is designed to recognize real estate professionals who have completed advanced training in representing buyers in real estate transactions. The ABR designation provides assurance that the buyer’s representative has the knowledge and experience to provide quality service to homebuyers.

To obtain the ABR designation, a real estate agent must complete an approved course of study and pass a comprehensive exam. The course typically takes between 12-15 hours to complete, depending on the individual. Once the course is completed, agents can take the exam online or at a proctored testing center.

The cost of obtaining an ABR designation varies depending on which educational provider you choose. Generally, it costs around $400-$500 for tuition and materials plus an additional $100-$200 for the exam fee.

4. Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

The Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It is designed to provide real estate professionals with an in-depth understanding of international real estate transactions, as well as the cultural and legal aspects of global real estate markets.

The CIPS program consists of five core courses and two elective courses. The core courses cover topics such as international real estate transactions, cross-cultural relationships, global economic trends, foreign currency exchange, and international marketing. The two elective courses focus on specific areas such as Latin America or Asia/Pacific.

To become a CIPS designee, you must first be a member of the NAR and have at least three years' experience in international real estate transactions. You must then complete the required coursework and pass the CIPS exam. The entire process typically takes six to nine months to complete.

The cost for the CIPS program varies depending on your membership status with NAR. For non-members, it costs $1,000 for all five core courses plus $500 for each elective course; for members it costs $750 for all five core courses plus $250 for each elective course.

5. 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 increase their knowledge and skills in various areas of real estate. The GRI designation is one of the most prestigious designations in the real estate industry and is recognized throughout the United States.

The GRI program consists of four courses: Principles of Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Professional Standards and Practices, and Real Estate Law. Each course consists of three days of instruction from a licensed instructor. The courses can be taken in-person or online.

It typically takes about six months to complete all four courses and receive the GRI designation. However, some students may take longer depending on their availability and other commitments.

To get the GRI designation, you must first become a member of NAR. You can then register for each course individually or as part of a package deal that includes all four courses at once. The cost for each course varies depending on whether you are taking it in-person or online, but generally ranges from $400-$600 per course.

6. Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

A Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) is a designation offered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It is designed to recognize real estate professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the needs, considerations, and goals of clients aged 50 and over. This includes those who are buying, selling, or relocating.

To become an SRES, you must be a member in good standing with NAR and complete a two-day course which covers topics such as financial planning for retirement, reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, Social Security benefits, Medicare coverage, housing options for seniors, and more. You must also pass an exam at the end of the course.

The cost to become an SRES is $299 for NAR members. This fee covers the cost of the two-day course materials as well as the exam fee.

7. At Home With Diversity (AHWD)

At Home With Diversity (AHWD) is a program offered by the National Association of REALTORS® that provides training to real estate professionals on how to work successfully with and within diverse cultures. The program focuses on developing cultural competency, fair housing law, and understanding the needs of diverse clients.

The program consists of an 8-hour course that can be taken in person or online. It covers topics such as cultural diversity, fair housing laws, and understanding the needs of diverse clients. The cost for the course varies depending on whether you take it online or in person. Online courses typically cost around $99, while in-person courses range from $129 to $179.

To get AHWD certification, you must first complete the 8-hour course and pass a 50-question exam with a score of 75% or higher. Once you have successfully completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your certificate from the National Association of REALTORS®.

8. E-PRO Certification

E-PRO Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). It is designed to help real estate professionals gain a better understanding of the latest technology tools and resources available to them in today’s digital world. The E-PRO certification program provides agents with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in using technology effectively, efficiently, and ethically.

The E-PRO Certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course takes approximately four hours to complete and covers topics such as email marketing, social media, website design, search engine optimization (SEO), mobile apps, data security, and more. After completing the online course, participants must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their E-PRO Certification.

To get your E-PRO Certification, you must first register for the online course through NAR's Learning Management System (LMS). Once you have completed the online course, you will receive a certificate of completion which will allow you to take the proctored exam. The cost for registering for the online course is $99 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your official E-PRO Certification from NAR.

Overall, it typically takes about five hours to complete all requirements for obtaining your E-PRO Certification: four hours for taking the online course and one hour for taking the proctored exam.

9. LEED Green Associate

LEED Green Associate is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of green building principles and practices. It is offered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the first step in becoming a LEED Professional.

It takes approximately 10-20 hours to prepare for the exam, depending on your level of experience with green building practices. The exam itself consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours.

To get LEED Green Associate certification, you must pass the LEED Green Associate Exam. The cost varies depending on where you take it, but typically costs around $200-$250 USD. You can take the exam at any Prometric Testing Center or online through USGBC's website.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to pay an annual fee of $50 USD to maintain your credential and receive updates from USGBC about new developments in green building technology and practices.

10. Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

Military Relocation Professional (MRP) is a specialized designation offered by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). It is designed to help real estate professionals better understand the needs and challenges of military personnel and their families who are relocating. The MRP program provides training on how to best serve military clients, including information about VA loans, base locations, and relocation assistance.

The MRP program consists of two courses: the Military Relocation Professional Certification Course and the Military Market Specialist Course. The certification course covers topics such as understanding military benefits, working with veterans and active duty personnel, and developing marketing strategies for military clients. The specialist course focuses on specific markets within the military community, including Air Force, Army, Navy/Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard/Reserves, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Department of Defense (DoD).

It typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete both courses in order to receive your MRP certification. To get started you will need to register for the courses at NAR’s website. The cost for both courses is $299 USD.

Do You Really Need a Real Estate Broker Certificate?

Whether you need a real estate broker certificate or not depends largely on what your career goals are. If you plan to become a real estate broker, then the answer is yes, you need one. A real estate broker certificate is required in most states in order to legally practice as a real estate broker. In some states, an aspiring broker must take additional courses and pass an exam before they can receive their license.

In other cases, however, it may not be necessary to obtain a real estate broker certificate. For example, if you plan to work as an independent contractor or consultant in the field of real estate, then a certificate may not be necessary. Additionally, if you are simply interested in learning more about the industry but do not intend to pursue it professionally, then obtaining a certificate is probably unnecessary.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a real estate broker certificate will depend on your individual circumstances and career goals. It’s important that you assess your needs carefully before making any decisions about whether or not to pursue certification.

Related: Real Estate Broker Resume Examples

FAQs About Real Estate Broker Certifications

1. What is a real estate broker certification?

Answer: A real estate broker certification is an official recognition from a state or local government that an individual has met the education, experience, and other requirements to practice as a licensed real estate broker.

2. How do I become certified as a real estate broker?

Answer: To become certified as a real estate broker, you must meet certain educational and experience requirements set by your state or local government. This typically includes completing pre-licensing courses, passing an exam, and obtaining any necessary licenses.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified real estate broker?

Answer: Becoming a certified real estate broker provides numerous benefits including greater business opportunities, increased earning potential, access to exclusive resources and networks, and more trust among clients and colleagues.

4. How long does it take to become a certified real estate broker?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become a certified real estate broker varies depending on where you live and the specific requirements in your area; however, most states require completion of pre-licensing courses within six months of receiving your license.

5. What qualifications do I need to become a certified real estate broker?

Answer: Qualifications for becoming a certified real estate broker vary by state or locality; however, generally include completing pre-licensing courses, passing an exam, having at least two years of documented full-time experience in the field of residential or commercial sales or leasing within five years prior to application date, having no criminal record or convictions related to the practice of law or real estate brokerage within five years prior to application date, meeting any additional requirements set forth by your local jurisdiction (e.g., submitting fingerprints).