Designations
What is a Designation?
A designation is a professional credential. REALTORS® who earn credentials may list them after their name, for example, ABR®, CIPS, GREEN, or SRES®. Designations are earned once you complete the necessary education or experience requirements. Requirements vary for each CRD designation.
Designations require annual dues and active membership. For example, if you have officially earned the ABR® designation, have paid your annual ABR® membership dues, and are a member in good standing with NAR, then you are an active designee.
Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation
The ABR® designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. The designation program establishes a foundation of training, skills, and resources to help real estate professionals succeed as buyer representatives.
The ABR® designation’s two-day core course is designed to help you conduct a buyer counseling session, sign buyer-clients to a written buyer representation agreement, negotiate buyer-clients offers, and bring the transaction to a successful close.
When you earn your ABR® designation, you gain:
Ongoing specialized information, programs, and updates that help you stay on top of the issues and trends associated with buyer representation, including Buyer Representation Agreements.
Access to members-only benefits such as marketing tools and resources, which provide an additional competitive edge for ABR® designees.
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designation
Global real estate opportunities are everywhere. Every day, people move to the U.S. from other countries, and immigrants in the U.S. move to new markets. Americans in your current market may look to invest in properties overseas. No matter which audience you cater to, the CIPS designation will provide you with the knowledge, research, network, and tools to globalize your business.
The CIPS designation course gives you five full days of study focusing on the critical aspects of global real estate transactions, including:
Globalization of economies and international capital flow
Marketing and business planning strategies
Roles, expectations, and cultural business practices of global transactions
Green Designation
The Green designation will teach real estate professionals how to increase their income by helping clients make informed choices about the resource efficiency and performance of the homes they live in, sell, and buy.
When you earn the Green designation, you’ll gain:
Access to customizable members-only marketing tools to help you build your business and gain a competitive edge.
A comprehensive understanding of how homes with eco-friendly and energy-efficient features are available in every market and should be promoted differently than traditional homes.
Market research about communicating with clients interested in different facets of sustainability.
Improved visibility as a trusted advisor and source of information on the topic.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) Designation
Understand what motivates the growing seniors’ market and how to address their needs with the prestigious SRES® designation.
This two-day training program offers real estate professionals the unique opportunity to learn and build key skills in counseling adults ages 50+ through selling their family home, buying rental property, and moving to a senior community, among many other issues.
SRES® designees learn how to:
Identify the power of generational demographics.
Develop and maintain relationship marketing skills.
Counsel rather than sell to seniors.
Understand the implications of tax laws, probate, and estate planning.