September marks the seventh annual Realtor Designations Awareness Month, sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and its affiliate Institutes, Societies, Councils and specialty sections.

The designations being recognized this month are awarded to real estate professionals who hold membership in NAR and its various affiliates and specialized sections, and who successfully complete specific educational criteria. Through membership in NAR's affiliated institutes, societies and councils, members devote themselves to continuous study of the most recent trends in their respective fields. The affiliates award specialty designations to recognize a member's advanced education and experiences in a particular discipline.

Professional designations were first offered by NAR as a way for the association to better recognize a member's expertise and as a result of the need by consumers with special real estate interests to be better served by specialists in the real estate profession. Realtors most commonly list the professional designations they hold by their abbreviated initials on their business cards and other promotional materials.

Affiliate membership, like education level, also impacts a real estate professional's income potential. According to a 1999 NAR study, sales agents who hold membership in at least one of the association's institutes, societies or councils, have a gross personal income that is often more than $16,000 higher than those who do not hold an affiliate membership. By comparison, the study found that brokers who hold membership in at least one of NAR's affiliates, councils, or societies often gross personal earnings $30,000 more than brokers who don't hold an affiliate membership.

According to the same study, professional designations also can impact the earning power of a Realtor. These designations, earned through the association's specialty sections, can often earn sales agents incomes that are $18,100 higher than those who don't hold a professional designation, while brokers who hold a professional designation often earn $14,000 more annually.

Currently, 15 percent of all Realtors hold membership in at least one of NAR's affiliates. Of those, 17 percent of all sales agents hold membership in an affiliate, and 28 percent of all brokers hold such a membership.

Many consumers are surprised when they learn how many of our members specialize in real estate services other than just home sales. Through Realtor Designations Awareness Month, NAR, its state and local associations and its members can help increase consumer awareness of the various specialization's available. We want consumers to know that when a special real estate need arises, such as the sale or purchase of investment property, property management, or counseling, they can choose a real estate professional to meet their needs who is well versed in that particular area.

In addition to specialized educational programs and professional standards, each of NAR's affiliates, societies, councils and specialty sections publish journals, magazines, newsletters or reports to keep members informed of recent developments in their particular area.

NAR's affiliates and special sections are invaluable resources for our Realtor members when it comes to anticipating and addressing trends and issues in the real estate industry.

The following are brief summaries of the professional designations offered by NAR's affiliated institutes, societies, councils, and specialty sections:

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

A buyer's agent represents the buyer in a real estate transaction for a fee; just as a seller's agent is hired to obtain the price and sale terms sought by the seller. The ABR is the only nationally recognized designation for buyer's agents and is offered by the NAR's Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 312/329-8656

Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)

These Realtors specialize in the sale of subdivision developments, urban and investment lands farms and ranches. The ALC takes approximately two years to earn and is offered by NAR's Realtors Land Institute, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312/329-8444.

Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)

Certified Property Manger (CPM)

Realtors who hold the ARM designation have successfully completed educational course work designed for on-site managers specializing in residential property. Realtors who earn the CPM are property management specialists who have successfully completed intensive training in a variety of property management skills and situations. The ARM and the CPM are offered by the Institute of Real Estate Management, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312/329-6060.

e-PRO (Certification)

This is an Internet-based program launched in June and developed by NAR in partnership with WebSuite.com, a Seattle-based online education company. The e-PRO certification program is offered in conjunction with Realtor University and is the industry's first comprehensive technology certification program endorsed by NAR for real estate professionals. The program's coursework is conducted entirely online. Real estate professionals who earn the e-PRO certification have learned the necessary skills and behaviors to successfully make a smooth transition into the age of the Internet powered consumer. The e-PRO curriculum covers how to use the Internet in business, including building and managing a web site, creating effective online marketing, publishing on the Web, evaluating ISP's, email and other forms of web communication. It also covers using the Web to find and deliver information, and issues such as Internet risk, disclosure, privacy statements, and other jurisdictional concerns. The course also covers online transaction management, the paperless transaction, and running a real estate business on the Internet. Realtors who earn the e-PRO Certification are required to comply with stringent online behavior guidelines and will need to re-certify periodically to maintain the certification. For more information about e-PRO, click here.

Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, and valuation and investment analysis. The CCIM designation is offered by the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312/321-4488.

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

Realtors who hold the CIPS designation have been involved in a number of international real estate transactions. The CIPS designation is offered by NAR's International Section, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 800/354-2831.

Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB)

The CRB designation is recognized in the real estate profession as the symbol of management excellence and is awarded to brokerage owners and managers. The CRB designation is offered by the Real Estate Brokerage Manager's Council, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 800/621-8738.

Counselor of Real Estate (CRE)

Real estate professionals who hold the CRE designation provide objective real estate advice to investors, builders and financial institutions. The designation is awarded to all members of The Counselors of Real Estate, an NAR affiliate that offers membership by invitation only, on either a self-initiated or sponsored basis. Members include practitioners of prominent real estate, financial, legal and accounting firms, as well as government and academic leaders. The Counselors of Real Estate is located at, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312/329-8428.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Residential salespeople who hold the CRS designation specialize in listing properties, selling, and investing, as well as mortgage financing and computer applications. The CRS designation is offered by the Residential Sales Council, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 800/462-8841.

General Accredited Appraiser (GAA)

Residential Accredited Appraiser (RAA)

Members who hold these accreditations are state certified appraisers and must meet a specific number of hours of experience and education that exceed the state requirements. NAR's Real Estate Appraisal Section is located at 430 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611, 312/329-8495.

Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI)

The GRI designation is a mark of distinction that earns a Realtor the respect and confidence from their peers and the general public. The GRI designation is offered by the NAR, 430 North Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, through the organization's state associations of Realtors, 312/329-3282.

Leadership Training Graduate (LTG)

Referral and Relocation Certification (RRC) Program

The LTG designation recognizes professional and personal development and is offered by the NAR's Women's Council of Realtors. The RRC designation, also offered by WCR, recognizes a professional's ability to build a corporate relocation business and develop a referral network. The WCR is located at 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL. 60611, 800/245-8512.

Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR)

The SIOR designation recognizes a specialization in commercial real estate. To earn the designation, members must complete two educational courses, provide five years of documented, full-time work experience and meet a specific dollar-volume in sales and number of transactions annually, as set by the local SIOR chapter. The SIOR is offered by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, 700 11th St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005, 888/891-SIOR.

Published: September 7, 2000

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