What do the letters behind a real estate agent's name stand for?

What do the letters behind a real estate agent’s name stand for?

Real estate agents, like doctors, lawyers, and other professionals have the ability to specialize in certain areas of their business by earning designations. Those acronyms signify that they have achieved a specific designation or certification through extensive training and education. In simple terms, designations and certifications enable agents to increase their skills, proficiency, and knowledge in various real estate sectors. They can also provide agents with access to members-only marketing tools and resources which can be an added benefit to their customers. These are usually shown by putting a series of initials after the agent’s name.

So how might real estate designations matter to you? Depending on what your specific real estate needs are, certain designations might mean more to you than others. The following professional designations listed below are designed to provide real estate agents with specialized training in a variety of areas.

Here is a list of some of the most prominent designations and certifications plus how they benefit real estate consumers.

NAR Family Designations

Accredited Buyer's Representative® / ABR®

The benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded by the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who met the specified educational & practical experience criteria.

Presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council)

Accredited Land Consultant / ALC

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)

Certified Commercial Investment Member / CCIM

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

Certified International Property Specialist / CIPS

The best in international real estate. The program includes intensive and extensive study focusing on the critical aspects of international real estate transactions which are significantly different and more complex than domestic deals. From currency issues and financing to visa and tax laws.

Presented by the National Association of REALTORS®

Certified Property Manager® / CPM®

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)

Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager / CRB

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.

Presented by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) - formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).

Certified Residential Specialist / CRS

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. It recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education.

Presented by Council of Residential Specialists

Counselor of Real Estate™ / CRE™

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

General Accredited Appraiser / GAA

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®

NAR's Green Designation / GREEN

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

Graduate, REALTOR® Institute / GRI

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®

Performance Management Network / PMN

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®

REALTOR® Association Certified Executive / RCE

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®

Residential Accredited Appraiser / RAA

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®

Seller Representative Specialist / SRS

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.

Presented by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) - formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).

Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® / SIOR

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®

Seniors Real Estate Specialist® / SRES®

The SRES® Designation program educates REALTORS® on how to 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

NAR Family Certifications

At Home With Diversity® / AHWD®

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®

Broker Price Opinion Resource / BPOR

The BPOR certification is no longer being awarded to members. Approximately 6,000 members have earned BPOR.

Certified Real Estate Team Specialist / C-RETS

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.

Presented by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) - formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).

e-PRO®

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®

Military Relocation Professional / MRP

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)

Pricing Strategy Advisor / PSA

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®

Real Estate Negotiation Expert / RENE

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 (REBI) - formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).

Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist / RSPS

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®

Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource® / SFR®

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®

NARPM Designations - National Association of Residential Property Managers

Residential Management Professional (RMP^®)

A real estate licensee who specializes in the business of residential property management who has met specific and ongoing educational, experience, and volunteer requirements that are designed to protect you as a rental property owner, as well as to ensure that the property management profession continues to develop and improve.

Master Property Manager (MPM^®)

The MPM^® designation is the highest credential awarded to individual residential property managers, and brokers from the National Association of Residential Property Managers. Real Estate Licensees who specialize in residential property management have successfully Completed intensive and extensive study focusing on the critical aspects of residential property management and have devoted a significant amount of time involved with the property management profession as a whole in a voluntary and leadership capacity.

Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC^®)

This esteemed designation is awarded to those professional property management firms that demonstrate a high standard in both procedures and customer service. A detailed examination of the company and recommendations from clients and peers are required for this designation.

Local / State Designations and Certifications

Excellence in Professionalism – Gold Key Certification

The Excellence in Professionalism – Gold Key Certification is a project of the ORRA Standards Task Force, which was charged with developing a program to illustrate the ultimate in REALTOR® professionalism and quality service.

Offered by the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association.

Risk Management Certification (RMC^®)

The Risk Management Certification for agents and brokers is designed around fundamental disciplines that provide the core competencies needed to reduce the risk of doing business.

Offered by the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association.

If you're a real estate agent looking to acquire your first designation, I would recommend starting with the GRI, Graduate of the REALTOR® Institute. This will provide you with the fundamentals that a consumer might expect from their real estate professional. Contact our FloridaREALTORS ® to get information on program requirements, course schedules, location, and tuition.

However keep in mind, all the listed designations presented here offer value and beneficial training that could help any real estate agent be more professional, productive and successful.