Designations & Certifications
Southwestern Illinois Board of REALTORS®
Invest In Yourself
To help you enhance your professional skills and stay ahead of the competition, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and its Institutes, Societies and Councils offer a wide array of educational resources to help you…
Become more valuable
Develop your skill sets
In classroom or online options available
Enhance your professional image
Learn Best Practices
Gain new expertise
Acquire specialized knowledge
Increase your value, marketability, proficiency and productivity
National Association of REALTORS®
Designations & Certifications
NAR Family Designations
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home-buying process.
Presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council)
Contact REBAC at rebac@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 800-648-6224.
The esteemed Accredited Land Consultants (ALCs) are the most trusted, knowledgeable, experienced, and highest-producing experts in all segments of land. Conferred by the REALTORS® Land Institute, the designation requires successful completion of a rigorous LANDU education program, a specific, high-volume and experience level, and adherence to an honorable Code of Conduct.
Presented by the REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI)
Contact RLI at 800.441.5263 or rli@realtors.org (link sends e-mail).
The Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation is commercial real estate’s global standard for professional achievement, earned through an extensive curriculum of 200 classroom hours and professional experiential requirements. CCIMs are active in 1,000 U.S. markets and 31 other countries and comprise a 13,000-member network that includes brokers, leasing professionals, asset managers, appraisers, corporate real estate executives, investors, lenders, and other allied professionals.
Presented by the CCIM Institute
Contact CCIM at 800-621-7027 or www.CCIM.com
Instantly align yourself with the best in international real estate by earning the CIPS designation. The designation requires completion of five full-day courses focusing on the critical aspects of international real estate transactions. CIPS designees are connected to an influential network of over 3,500 professionals who turn to each other first when looking for referral partners.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
Contact Information Services at CIPS@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 1-800-874-6500 ext. 8369.
CPM designees are recognized as experts in real estate management. Holding this designation demonstrates expertise and integrity to employers, owners, and investors.
Presented by Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
Contact IREM® at 800-837-0706, ext. 4650.
The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management and is awarded to REALTORS® who have completed advanced educational and professional requirements. CRB Designees are better positioned to streamline operations, integrate new technology and apply new trends and business strategies. Join today and discover a new approach to enhancing knowledge and leveraging opportunity.
Visit REBInstitute.com (link is external) or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@REBInstitute (link sends e-mail) or 800-621-8738
REBI was formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).
The CRS designation is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers. On average, CRS designees earn nearly three times more in income, transactions, and gross sales than non-designee REALTORS®.
Presented by Council of Residential Specialists
Contact CRS at https://www.crs.com/about-us/contact-us (link is external) or 800-462-8841.
The Counselors of Real Estate® is an international group of recognized professionals who provide seasoned, expert, objective advice on real property and land-related matters. Only 1,100 practitioners throughout the world carry the CRE® designation. Membership is by invitation only.
Presented by The Counselors of Real Estate
Contact CRE® at 312-329-8427 or info@cre.org (link sends e-mail).
For general appraisers, this designation is awarded to those whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact GAA program staff at 800-874-6500 ext. 8268 or email appraisal@realtors.org
Through NAR’s Green Designation, the Green REsource Council provides ongoing education, resources and tools to help real estate practitioners find, understand, and market properties with green features.
Presented by The Green REsource Council
Contact The Green REsource Council at greendesignation@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 800-498-9422.
REALTORS® with the GRI designation have in-depth training in legal and regulatory issues, technology, professional standards, and the sales process. Earning the designation is a way to stand out to prospective buyers and sellers as a professional with expertise in these areas.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact your State Association to get information on program requirements, course schedules, location, and tuition.
This designation is unique to the REALTOR® family designations, emphasizing that in order to enhance your business, you must enhance yourself. It focuses on negotiating strategies and tactics, networking and referrals, business planning and systems, personal performance management and leadership development.
Presented by Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Contact the Women’s Council of REALTORS® at 800-245-8512.
RCE is the only professional designation designed specifically for REALTOR® association executives. RCE designees exemplify goal-oriented AEs with drive, experience and commitment to professional growth.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact Renee Holland at 312-329-8545 or rholland@realtors.org (link sends e-mail).
For residential appraisers, this designation is awarded to those whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Presented by National Association of REALTORS®
Contact RAA program staff at 312-329-8268 or email appraisal@realtors.org (link sends e-mail).
The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. The designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) who meet specific educational and practical experience criteria.
Visit www.SRSCouncil.com (link is external) or contact SRS at customerservice@srscouncil.com (link sends e-mail) or 800-621-8738.
REBI was formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).
The SIOR designation is held by only the most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists. To earn it, designees must meet standards of experience, production, education, ethics, and provide recommendations.
Presented by Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®
Contact SIOR at 202-449-8200.
The SRES® Designation program educates REALTORS® on how to profitably and ethically serve the real estate needs of the fastest growing market in real estate, clients age 50+. By earning the SRES® designation, you gain access to valuable member benefits, useful resources, and networking opportunities across the U.S. and Canada to help you in your business.
Presented by SRES® Council
Contact SRES Council at sres@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 800-500-4564.
NAR Family Certifications
Learn to work effectively with – and within – today’s diverse real estate market. The At Home With Diversity certification teaches you how to conduct your business with sensitivity to all client profiles and build a business plan to successfully serve them.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
For more information on this course and its business principles, please contact us at ahwd@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 800-874-6500 ext. 8393.
The BPOR certification is no longer being awarded to members. Approximately 6,000 members have earned BPOR.
The Certified Real Estate Team Specialist certification is designed to improve team development, individual leadership skills, and financial performance. The courses provide the tools, strategies, and knowledge that are required of today’s real estate professionals who are either considering or currently operating in a team environment. It is for team leaders, team members, those looking to start a team, and those who simply want to sharpen their management skills.
Visit www.REBInstitute.com (link is external) or contact the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) at info@REBInstitute.com (link sends e-mail) or 800-621-8738.
REBI was formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).
NAR’s e-PRO® certification teaches you to use cutting-edge technologies and digital initiatives to link up with today’s savvy real estate consumer.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
Contact e-PRO® at epro@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 877-397-3132.
NAR’s Military Relocation Professional certification focuses on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.
Presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council)
Contact us at MRP@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 888-648-8321.
Enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values with NAR’s PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor) certification.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
This certification is for real estate professionals who want to sharpen their negotiation skills. The RENE certification program gives REALTORS® the tips and tools they need to be skillful advocates for their clients.
Presented by the Real Estate Business Institute
Contact us at info@rebinstitute.com (link sends e-mail) or 800-621-8738.
This certification is designed for REALTORS® who facilitate the buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination are involved in this market niche.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
Contact us at resort@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 800-874-6500 ext. 8268.
The SFR® certification teaches real estate professionals to work with distressed sellers and the finance, tax, and legal professionals who can help them, qualify sellers for short sales, develop a short sale package, negotiate with lenders, safeguard your commission, limit risk, and protect buyers.
Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®
Contact us at sfr@realtors.org (link sends e-mail) or 877-510-7855.