What Do All Those Designations Mean?

By Jeanne Rizzotto, Owner/Broker, Century 21-The Summit, Inc.

Have you ever seen those abbreviations next to an agent’s name: Joe Agent, GRI, ABR, ALC, CAM, CRB, CRS, e-PRO, RCE, RAA, etc.? You get the picture. Doesn’t it just drive you crazy not knowing what the designations stand for… almost to the point that you aren’t impressed and don’t really care? Well, we want you to care because each designation is earned by completing a specialized program and involves lots of hours of intense studying.

Explanation of Professional Designations used by Real Estate Agents:

These professional designations are ways that real estate professionals display their expertise, education or concentration to potential clients. Some of these designations require memberships in organizations, with annual dues and many times huge expenditures for continuing education. One rule is “the more money it costs, the more it probably means something.”

To be called a Realtor®, a real estate professional must be a member of the National Association of Realtors®. There are over 750,000 members. However, if someone is NOT identifying themselves as a Realtor®, they are probably not a member and therefore, not a Realtor® . Realtors® are expected to fulfill minimum education requirements and abide by a published code of ethics. (Realtor® is a registered trademarked name.)

I have seen enough faces in my real estate days that tell me “I am not impressed.” So, I decided to find and list for you each and every designation that I could possibly find and its definition as follows:

• ABR — Accredited Buyer Representative is a designation from the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council that trains experienced Realtors® in specifically representing the real estate consumer. The ABR designation is awarded to real estate practitioners who complete a comprehensive two-day REBAC course in buyer representation, achieve a passing grade on the written examination, demonstrate practical experience by completing and closing five real estate transactions in which the candidate functioned as a buyer’s representative and who maintain a membership in good standing with the National Association of Realtors® and the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council.
• ABRM — Accredited Buyer Representative Manager is geared to real estate firm brokers, owners and managers that have or wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice, designees have taken and passed both the ABR and ABRM course and provided documentation of past management experience. The ABRM designation is awarded real estate practitioners who complete a comprehensive two-day REBAC ABR®course in buyer representation and passing or challenging the written examination, complete the comprehensive one-day REBAC ABRM course in buyer representation, successfully passing the written examination, certification that the broker/owner/manager has overseen a minimum of 25 real estate transactions that involved a buyer agent or had more than 2 years of experience in the oversight of buyer representatives and be a member in good standing with the National Association of Realtors® and the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council.
• ALC — Accredited Land Consultant are the recognized experts in land brokerage transactions of five specialized types: (1) farms and ranches; (2) undeveloped tracts of land; (3) transitional and development land; (4) subdivision and wholesaling of lots; and (5) site selection and assemblage of land parcels. Acquire valuable skills through educational offerings leading to the ALC designation. The ALC designation is awarded to a petitioner that is a member in good standing of the Realtors Land Institute, has 3 or more years of experience as a Realtor®, successfully complete five RLI Land University core courses and one RLI Land University elective course in Investment Analysis, Subdivision Development, Agricultural Land, Transitional Land, Tax Ideas with Exchanging and Creative Real Estate, Tax Ideas and Strategies for Selling Real Estate, Site Selection, and Land Planning and Design.
• AMO — Accredited Management Organization is a professional designation provided by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) to companies, not individuals, who engage in property management with residential, commercial and industrial properties.
• CAM — Certified Apartment Manager is a nationally recognized certification and education program for resident managers. Upon completion of the CAM course, the resident manager has been equipped with the proven management tools and techniques to cope with the diverse problems of apartment management, maintenance, resident relations and marketing.
• CBR — Certified Buyer Representative is a by Realtor® Boards and Associations throughout the United States. Realtors® with the CBR designation are taught the street skills necessary to both help buyers find their desired property and to help them negotiate for that property in a non-adversarial manner, a course sponsored by Realtor® Boards and Associations throughout the United States. This designation may be earned by completing 3 consecutive days of intensive buyer agency training.
• CCIM — Certified Commercial Investment Member designation has been the mark of a professional in commercial and investment real estate since 1968. The CCIM can be earned by Realtors® as well as mortgage bankers, tax or real estate attorneys, financial planners and managers, investment advisors, officers of development companies and other real estate professionals. This designation may be earned after successfully completing four graduate-level courses and an introductory overview course.
• CIPS — Certified International Property Specialist is an international real estate education course sponsored by Realtor® Boards and Associations throughout the United States. Designees are relied upon as a resource for experts in the international real estate market. This designation may be earned after successfully completing an intensive seven-day program of study focusing on critical aspects of transnational transactions, including currency and exchange rate issues, and cross-cultural relationships, regional market conditions, investment performance, tax issues and more. U.S. members must be a Realtor® and a member of the National Association of Realtors®.
• CPM — Certified Property Manager designation is the oldest and most prestigious achievement in property management. It is awarded to property managers whose experience, education and ethical standards warrant such distinction. CPMs are experts in managing apartments, office buildings, commercial centers and homeowners’ associations and are informed on tax laws insurance regulations, and critical investment factors. To become a CPM, one must complete a combination of core and elective requirements. One will need 260 points — 160 required points and 100 elective points — in addition to meeting some other criteria unrelated to the point system.
• CRB — Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager has been a symbol of management excellence in real estate brokerage since 1969. The program is open to Realtors® who want to learn every aspect of brokerage management, human behavior skills, recruitment and training techniques. The designation helps to develop sound financial and marketing programs and information how to communicate effectively. The CRB designation is earned by successfully completing eighteen credits, have a minimum of 75 transactions within the last five consecutive years, and accumulate 10 points by having either bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. in real estate, or one of the following designations: CCIM, CIPS, CPM, CRB, GRI. They may also accumulated points by taking CRS Courses in addition to the three required core CRS Courses or by completing transactions the last five consecutive years, in addition to the 75 core transactions required. Applicants are required to submit a letter from their local board verifying current membership.
• CRE — Counselor of Real Estate is a member of The Counselors of Real Estate, an international group of recognized professionals who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters. Only 1,000 practitioners throughout the world carry the CRE designation. Membership is by invitation only. Membership is selective, extended by invitation only on either a sponsored or self-initiated basis. The organization’s CRE Designation (The Counselor of Real Estate) is awarded to all members in recognition of superior problem solving ability in various areas of specialization such as litigation support, asset management, valuation, feasibility studies, acquisitions and/or dispositions, and general analysis.
• CRIA — Certified Realty Investment Associate is a designation from the Realty Investment Association of California (RIAOC), for attendees at a series of 12 three-hour seminars covering the practical aspects of Commercial and Investment real estate. Participants will become more knowledgeable and professional in dealing with clients and in transactions with other agents. These are “nuts and bolts” seminars presented by experienced “hands-on” brokers and specialists in the field of Commercial and Investment real estate.
• CRS — Certified Residential Specialist has been a symbol of achievement in education and residential sales experience since 1977. The CRS program is open to Realtors® who want to keep abreast of the latest sales and marketing techniques, enhance their professionalism, and increase their earning power. This designation may be earned after successfully completing CRS 200 plus two additional Council courses and a minimum of 75 transactions within the last five consecutive years.
• CSP — Certified New Home Sales Professional is a professional designation provided by the National Association of Home Builders and requires 24 hours of course study.
• e-PRO — e-PRO is a new training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals. This designation may be earned after successfully completing 5 areas presented entirely online.
• GAA — General Accredited Appraiser. Certified general appraisers wishing to increase their visibility should consider pursuing the GAA designation. The GAA designation is awarded to appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of Realtors®. This designation may be earned by being a State General Appraiser. Have a minimum of 1,000 hours experience in addition to the experience required to obtain state certification and 60 hours of tested course work in addition to the Appraiser Qualification Board’s education requirement at the time of certification.
• GRI — Graduate, Realtor® Institute is a nationally recognized educational institute dedicated to furthering the fundamental knowledge and skills of Realtors® with less than five years experience. The GRI series is also available to more experienced real estate practitioners to help them stay current on timely issues and to freshen and reinforce their basic skills. The GRI designation is earned by completing a national program of specialized and advanced education for the licensed Realtor®. It involves intense study, covering many special aspects of real estate such as residential marketing, cost basis, appreciation methods, investment real estate, construction, real estate tax concepts, exchanges, capital gains, and various types of mortgage programs. This designation may only be earned after successfully completing a rigorous educational program. This program requires 92 hours of live course instruction from a statewide faculty selected because of extensive experience in their own areas of expertise.
• LTG — Leadership Training Graduate designation is awarded only by the Women’s Council of Realtors to those candidates who successfully complete four one-day courses and meet specific requirements. Courses include Excellence in Communications, Personal and Professional.
• QSC — Quality Service Certified® designation may be the most important credential a real estate professional can hold. A Quality Service Certified® sales professional is held to a standard which requires accountability, reliability and consistency - the ongoing delivery of quality service on each transaction. The Quality Service Certification® training program can be completed by attending a live presentation or by taking the course online.
• RAA — Residential Accredited Appraiser. Certified residential appraisers wishing to increase their visibility should consider pursuing the RAA designation. The RAA designation is awarded to appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the National Association of Realtors®. This designation may be earned by being a State Certified Residential or General Appraiser. Have a minimum of 1,000 hours experience in addition to the experience required to obtain state certification and 45 hours of tested course work in addition to the Appraiser Qualification Board’s education requirement at the time of certification.
• RCE — Realtor® Association Certified Executive. Association executives interested in demonstrating commitment to the field of Realtor® association management should pursue the RCE designation. AEs are recognized for their specialized industry knowledge and their association achievements and experience. This designation may be earned by successfully completing 3 exams and also meeting the following guidelines: RCE is open to all full-time employees of a local or state association of Realtors®, wholly- owned Realtor® association subsidiary corporation, or regional multiple listing service owned by a Realtor® association. Also one must have 5 years Realtor® association experience and be a current CAE designee (Certified Association Executive offered by ASAE).
• SIOR — Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®. Individuals certified with the SIOR designation are top producers in industrial and office real estate brokerage, representing more than 800 offices in over 350 cities worldwide. The Society’s mandatory recertification requirement assures clients of the designee’s excellence in the fast changing commercial brokerage field. This designation may be earned after successfully completing a comprehensive membership entrance examination; or hold a CCIM or RICS designation; or complete thirty credit hours of approved commercial real estate coursework based on various criteria and completing the Society’s ethics and professional standards module (a half-day seminar).
• SRES — Seniors Real Estate Specialist is a professional designation provided by the Seniors Advantage Real Estate Council for Realtors wanting to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans when buying or selling residential or investment properties.

Copyright Jeanne Rizzotto is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Owner of Century 21-The Summit, Inc., in Red Lodge, Montana, and author of “How To Make Your Realtor Get You The Best Deal (Montana Edition)”. For more about Jeanne, please visit eRedLodge.com or GoGetRealEstate.com/Get/eRedLodge.