Top 11 Real Estate Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for real estate managers in the job market as they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise. Having certifications can give real estate managers an edge when competing for jobs, as employers may view them as more qualified and trustworthy than those without certifications. Certifications also provide evidence of a commitment to professional development, which employers may find attractive. Additionally, certifications can help open up opportunities that would otherwise not be available to non-certified individuals.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Real Estate Managers and explains how they can help to enhance a real estate manager's career.

What are Real Estate Manager Certifications?

Real estate manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of the principles and practices of property management. It is awarded by organizations such as the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Certification can be obtained through formal education, experience, or examination.

Having a real estate manager certification can help individuals who want to advance their careers in property management. A certified professional has demonstrated their proficiency in topics such as tenant relations, budgeting, marketing and leasing, legal issues, and maintenance. This certification will also help employers identify qualified candidates when selecting new employees or promoting current staff members. Additionally, having this credential may give a candidate an edge over other applicants when interviewing for positions or bidding on contracts.

Overall, obtaining real estate manager certification can open up opportunities for career advancement and provide recognition for individuals who have achieved expertise in this field.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different real estate manager certification programs available to ensure that you select one that is accredited and recognized by the relevant professional bodies. This will ensure your certification is accepted by potential employers and will give you the best chance of success in this competitive field.

Related: What does a Real Estate Manager do?

Top 11 Real Estate Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Property Manager (CPM)

Certified Property Manager (CPM) is a professional designation for property managers who have demonstrated the highest level of competency in the field. The CPM designation is awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), a professional association for real estate management professionals.

To qualify for the CPM designation, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass an examination, and agree to abide by IREM’s Code of Professional Ethics. To become a CPM, applicants must have at least three years of full-time property management experience within the past five years or five years of part-time property management experience within the past ten years. Applicants must also have completed at least 24 hours of approved real estate management courses, including 12 hours in core topics such as finance, marketing and human resources.

The CPM exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as financial analysis, legal issues and risk management. The exam is administered twice per year at locations throughout the United States and Canada. It typically takes about four to six months to prepare for the exam, depending on how much time you can devote to studying each week.

The cost to take the CPM exam varies depending on your IREM membership status and whether you are taking it in person or online. For non-members taking it in person, the fee is $1,200 USD; for members taking it in person, it’s $800 USD; and for members taking it online, it’s $600 USD. Once you pass the exam and complete all other requirements for certification, you will receive your official CPM designation from IREM.

2. Certified Real Estate Investment Member (CREIM)

Certified Real Estate Investment Member (CREIM) is a professional designation awarded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This designation recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in real estate investing.

To become a CREIM, you must complete the NAR’s Real Estate Investment Certification Program. This program consists of four online courses that cover topics such as investment analysis, portfolio management, market analysis, and financing. The courses take approximately 20 hours to complete.

Once you have completed the courses, you are eligible to take the CREIM exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. After passing the exam, you will be awarded your CREIM designation.

The cost for the certification program is $395 for NAR members and $495 for non-members.

3. Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) is a professional designation awarded by the CCIM Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. The designation is highly sought after by commercial real estate professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in areas such as financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, and investment analysis.

It typically takes three to five years to obtain the CCIM designation. The process consists of four steps: completing a core curriculum program; passing a comprehensive exam; submitting a portfolio that demonstrates experience in commercial real estate; and participating in an interview with an experienced CCIM designee.

The cost to obtain the CCIM designation varies depending on the number of courses taken and other fees associated with the application process. Generally, it costs around $4,000 to $5,000 for tuition and fees. Additionally, there are annual dues required for continued membership in the CCIM Institute which range from $200-$400 per year.

4. 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 recognize real estate professionals who have demonstrated excellence in residential property management. The ARM designation is one of the most widely recognized and respected credentials for residential property managers.

To become an Accredited Residential Manager, one must first meet certain educational and experience requirements, including:

• A minimum of two years' experience in residential property management;
• Completion of IREM's six-course ARM Track program;
• Passing the ARM exam with a score of 70% or higher;
• Obtaining letters of recommendation from two current employers or clients; and
• Submitting an application to IREM for review and approval.

The entire process typically takes between six months to one year to complete. It can take longer if additional coursework or experience is needed.

The cost for obtaining the ARM designation varies depending on whether you are a member of IREM or not. If you are an IREM member, the cost ranges from $1,000 - $1,500 USD depending on which courses you choose to take. Non-members pay slightly more at around $1,200 - $2,000 USD. Additionally, there are fees associated with taking the exam and submitting your application for review and approval.

5. Real Estate Broker License

A real estate broker license is a professional license issued by the state in which you wish to practice real estate. It allows you to conduct business as a real estate broker, meaning that you can act as an intermediary between buyers and sellers of real estate properties.

The length of time it takes to get a real estate broker license varies from state to state, but typically requires completing pre-license courses and passing an exam. Most states require at least 90 hours of coursework, including classes on topics such as property law, contracts, finance, and ethics. After completing the coursework and passing the exam, applicants must submit their application for licensure with the appropriate state agency.

The cost of getting a real estate broker license also varies from state to state but typically includes fees for pre-license courses, application fees, and licensing exam fees. The total cost can range from several hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on the state and other factors.

In order to get a real estate broker license, applicants must meet certain requirements set by their state such as age (usually 18 or older), education (typically at least two years of college), experience (generally two years or more of active involvement in real estate transactions), and background checks (including criminal history). Additionally, some states may require applicants to complete additional coursework or exams before they are eligible for licensure.

6. Certified Real Estate Appraiser

A Certified Real Estate Appraiser is a professional who has been trained and certified to provide an objective opinion of the value of real estate. They use their knowledge and experience to analyze market trends, inspect properties, research comparable sales, and assess the condition of the property in order to determine its fair market value.

It typically takes between two and four years to become a Certified Real Estate Appraiser, depending on the requirements of your state. To become certified, you must complete a minimum number of hours of classroom instruction approved by your state's appraiser regulatory agency. You must also pass both a written exam and an oral exam. In addition, you may be required to complete continuing education courses throughout your career as an appraiser in order to maintain certification status.

To get certified as a real estate appraiser, you must first meet all educational requirements set by your state's appraisal board or commission. Once these are met, you can apply for certification with the appropriate agency in your state. The application process includes submitting paperwork such as proof of identity, proof of education completion, background checks, and other necessary documents. After submitting the application, you will need to take and pass both written and oral exams before being granted certification status.

The cost for becoming certified varies from state to state but generally includes fees for application processing, testing fees (both written and oral), licensing fees (if applicable), continuing education credits (if applicable), and any other associated costs with obtaining certification status.

7. Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS)

Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS) is a professional designation for leasing professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in the field of commercial real estate leasing. It is awarded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

To become a CLS, individuals must complete an approved course of study that covers topics such as lease negotiation, tenant-landlord relationships, lease administration, and other aspects of commercial real estate leasing. Upon completion of the course, they must pass an exam administered by NAR to receive their certification.

The CLS program typically takes around six months to complete depending on the individual's availability and dedication to studying. The cost for the program varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $1,500 to $2,000.

8. Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)

Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) is a professional designation given by the Realtors Land Institute (RLI). It is the highest level of recognition for land professionals in the real estate industry. ALCs are recognized as experts in land transactions and management, and are held to a higher standard of ethics and professionalism than other real estate professionals.

In order to become an ALC, applicants must have at least five years of experience in land transactions or management, complete a series of courses and exams, and submit letters of recommendation from three RLI members. The courses cover topics such as land valuation, land use planning, legal issues related to land ownership, environmental regulations, and more.

The process typically takes between two and four years to complete depending on the applicant's prior experience. Applicants must also pay a fee for each course taken and an application fee when submitting their application. The total cost for becoming an ALC can range from $2,000-$4,000 depending on the number of courses taken.

9. Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) is a professional designation administered by the National Association of REALTORS®. It is designed to recognize real estate professionals who have achieved expertise in international real estate transactions.

The CIPS designation requires completion of five full-day courses and a one-day elective course, as well as a comprehensive exam. All courses are offered online and can be completed at your own pace. The cost for the entire program is $1,750 USD.

In order to obtain the CIPS designation, you must be a member of NAR and complete the following:

1. Complete all six required courses within two years of enrolling in the program;

2. Pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 75% or higher;

3. Submit documentation verifying that you have closed at least three international transactions within two years prior to application; and

4. Agree to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics.

Once these requirements are met, you will receive your CIPS designation and become part of an elite group of global real estate professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and commitment to international real estate transactions.

10. Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE)

Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) is a certification program offered by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI). It is designed to help real estate professionals become better negotiators. The RENE certification program consists of three levels: Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN), Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert (CRENE), and Master Real Estate Negotiator (MREN).

The CREN level requires participants to complete an online course and pass an exam. This level takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s learning pace. The cost for this level is $395 USD.

The CRENE level requires participants to have completed the CREN course and passed the exam, as well as attend a two-day live seminar and pass a second exam. This level takes approximately 16-20 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s learning pace. The cost for this level is $895 USD.

The MREN level requires participants to have completed both the CREN and CRENE courses and exams, as well as attend a three-day live seminar and pass a third exam. This level takes approximately 24-30 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s learning pace. The cost for this level is $1,495 USD.

Once all requirements are met, individuals will receive their RENE certification which will be valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

11. Sustainable Real Estate Professional (SREP).

Sustainable Real Estate Professional (SREP) is a certification program for real estate professionals who want to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and green building practices. The program is offered by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and is designed to help real estate professionals understand the principles of sustainable development, green building, and energy efficiency.

The SREP certification requires completion of two courses: Sustainable Development Principles and Practices, and Green Building Principles and Practices. These courses are offered online or in-person at approved NAR locations. Each course takes approximately 8 hours to complete.

The cost for the SREP certification program is $295 for members of NAR, or $395 for non-members. This fee covers both courses as well as the certification exam. After completing the courses and passing the exam, participants will receive their official SREP certificate from NAR.

Overall, it can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to complete the SREP certification program depending on how quickly you complete the courses and pass the exam.

Do You Really Need a Real Estate Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. If you are interested in pursuing a career in real estate management, then a real estate manager certificate may be necessary. The certificate provides an additional layer of credibility and knowledge that can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. It also shows potential employers that you have taken the initiative to learn more about the industry and stay up-to-date with current trends.

However, if you already have experience working in real estate or are confident in your ability to learn on the job, then a real estate manager certificate may not be necessary. Many employers will look at your past experience and accomplishments as well as your personality and enthusiasm when making hiring decisions. Therefore, if you feel that you already possess the skills necessary to succeed in a managerial role, then a certificate may not be essential for landing a job.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a real estate manager certificate depends on your individual goals and circumstances. If you think it would give you an edge when applying for positions or make your resume look more impressive, then it may be worth investing in one. However, if you feel that your existing qualifications are enough to get ahead without one, then there is no need to pursue certification unless it is required by law or by the employer.

Related: Real Estate Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Real Estate Manager Certifications

1. What is a Real Estate Manager Certification?

Answer: A Real Estate Manager Certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge and expertise in the field of real estate management. It is awarded by an accrediting body, such as the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must meet the requirements set by the accrediting body. Generally, this includes having a minimum amount of experience in real estate management, passing an exam and meeting any additional criteria set by the organization.

3. What are the benefits of certification?

Answer: Benefits of certification include increased credibility and recognition among peers, more job opportunities and higher salaries, access to continuing education courses, networking opportunities and more.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified varies depending on individual circumstances but typically can range from 6 months to 2 years or longer depending on experience and other factors.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements?

Answer: Yes, many certifying bodies require ongoing education in order to maintain certification status. This may include taking additional courses or attending seminars/conferences related to real estate management topics.