10 Real Estate Designations & Certifications That Make You Money

Real estate designations boost visibility, attract leads, and add credibility. Trade organizations and other real estate institutions offer real estate designations, including the education and support you need to develop a stronger skill set or start working in a specialty. 

I’ve gathered 10 of the best real estate certifications for agents. If you’re buyer-heavy, start with ABR. Listing-led? SRS. Leveling up your residential game? CRS. Building a luxury pipeline or handling property management or commercial? We’ve got options for that, too!

Ready? Scroll the table, pick your lane, and let your next credential do more than sit in your email signature.

The Close’s top picks of real estate designations & certifications

1. Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)

• Cost: $310 for NAR members; $620 for non-members (online version of the course); $185 application fee; $75 annual dues
• Best for: Residential realtors who want to work primarily with homebuyers
• Time commitment: Two-day course + elective
• Where to get it: Get it at National Association of Realtors (NAR)

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation might be the edge you need to work with buyers in a crowded market; many first-time buyers look for ABRs for proven buyer-side experience and may pick you over another agent because of it. Among real estate designations, ABR is one of NAR’s most recognized buyer-focused credentials and includes education about working with buyers, ongoing resources, and industry updates. This will help you attract, communicate with, and convert buyers more effectively, resulting in smoother transactions. 

You can start the two-day course right away. To earn the designation, you’ll also complete one elective, document five closed buyer-representation transactions, and maintain NAR/REBAC membership. Compared with SRS (a listing-focused REALTOR designation), ABR is a faster path to buyer-side credibility — especially for first-time buyers — while CRS is a deeper, longer track suited to experienced agents.

2. Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)

• Cost: $295 (online course); annual dues are waived for the first year, then $99 per year thereafter
• Best for: Residential realtors wanting to specialize in listing properties for sale
• Time commitment: About a week
• Where to get it: Get it at Real Estate Business Institute (REBI)

The Seller Representative Specialist designation helps you win and service listings in competitive markets. It’s a NAR-affiliated credential focused on seller advocacy, pricing strategy, marketing, and negotiation for listings. Compared with ABR — which is buyer-focused — SRS is built for listing presentations and seller expectations, making it one of the most practical real estate designations for agents shifting toward a listings business.

You must be a member of the National Association of REALTORS® to earn the SRS, and you’ll be asked to provide your NRDS/M1 ID on the application.

3. Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

• Cost: Tuition varies by course path; $99 application fee; $195 annual membership fee
• Best for: Residential realtors who want the highest recognition and training for selling properties
• Time commitment: 4 to 6 weeks
• Where to get it: Residential Real Estate Council

The Certified Residential Specialist designation is the top tier among real estate designations for residential agents with advanced training, proven production, and access to RRC’s referral network. Compared to ABR or SRS, CRS is a deeper, experience-plus-education track that’s best suited for agents leveling up their residential practice and brand. That experience and credibility help you rise above the noise and win more prospects.

To earn it, you’ll complete the required RRC education (depending on your chosen path) and meet transaction or volume benchmarks; you must also be a member in good standing of NAR and RRC.

4. Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

• Cost: Tuition varies by provider; $195 application fee
• Best for: Realtors who specialize in helping military families find and finance properties
• Time commitment: 1 day
• Where to get it: Get it at National Association of REALTORS® (online via the Center for REALTOR® Development, or through local/state REALTOR® associations)

The Military Relocation Professional is a NAR certification focused on the unique timelines, benefits, and relocation logistics service members face. A bonus if you’re passionate about serving the military community: the certification aligns your work with helping service members and their families. 

To earn the MRP, be a member in good standing of NAR, complete the one-day MRP course (online or classroom), and submit the $195 one-time application fee. There are no annual certification dues after that, though you must maintain NAR membership to use the credential.

5. Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

• Cost: Tuition varies by provider (online via Center for REALTOR® Development: $310 for members; $620 for non-members); annual dues are waived for the first year, then $99 per year thereafter
• Best for: Residential realtors wanting to specialize in working with maturing homebuyers and sellers
• Time commitment: 2 days
• Where to get it: Get it at National Association of Realtors (via the Center for REALTOR® Development)

The SRES designation is for those wanting to work with senior homebuyers and sellers, helping you identify and understand their specific needs and considerations. For example, the SRES course includes education on various housing options for senior buyers or homeowners and how to use pensions, 401(k) accounts, and IRAs to finance properties. 

The resources in this course will help you support older clientele and minimize stress on all sides of a transaction. New designees receive one year of SRES Council membership included; ongoing use of the designation requires active NAR and SRES Council membership.

6. Counselor of Real Estate (CRE)

• Cost: $1,950 annual dues (may vary based on location); $2,500 one-time initiation fee (applies to new members in the United States and US territories; there is no initiation fee for new members residing outside the US)
• Best for: Experienced agents with a high volume of sales and active community involvement
• Time commitment: 2 to 3 months
• Where to get it: Get it at The Counselors of Real Estate

The CRE is as much an award as it is a designation — unlike other real estate designations here, it’s available by invitation. You must have at least ten years of experience and stand out for innovation, problem-solving, and community involvement. There’s no coursework; members gain access to a high-level networking group and regular industry insights. 

CREs are typically nominated by other CREs, so networking with experienced practitioners is critical if you want to earn this credential. If you want to find CREs, use the official CRE member directory or search LinkedIn profiles that list “Counselor of Real Estate (CRE)” under Licenses & Certifications.

7. Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

• Cost: 2025 member track est. $8,256 (incl. tuition, Core Concepts Review + Comprehensive Exam $1,220, and $175 portfolio fee); candidate membership: $695 per year during the program; non-member track est. $10,210
• Best for: Commercial real estate agents and brokers
• Time commitment: 1 to 3 years
• Where to get it: Get it at The CCIM Institute

CCIM is the commercial benchmark among real estate designations; it’s a deeper, analysis-heavy path versus residential REALTOR^® designations like ABR or SRS. You’ll complete CI 101 to 104, negotiations, ethics, electives, a portfolio of qualifying experience, and the Comprehensive Exam. 

The CCIM is more like a college program than a simple certification course, requiring a few years of dedication and a large financial investment. However, being a commercial real estate agent generally results in a significantly higher income, so the effort will pay off.

Related Article

How to Become a Commercial Real Estate Agent

8. Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

• Cost: $151 each (members) or $302 (non-members) for online version; classroom version varies by provider; $75 application fee; $220 annual dues
• Best for: Agents who work with foreign buyers and international investors
• Time commitment: 6 to 8 weeks
• Where to get it: Get it at National Association of Realtors

This designation is for agents who want specialized knowledge about the intricacies of international real estate transactions. Like other niche designations, foreign buyers and investors have specific challenges, and this course helps you understand their challenges and potential solutions. Plus, CIPS designation holders get branded, customizable marketing tools and an online directory to help them market more effectively to international buyers. 

To get this designation, you must have at least three transactions involving foreign parties and meet a minimum threshold of international business experience or foreign language mastery. These requirements will exclude a lot of realtors, but if you put in the effort, this is an affordable designation in a very lucrative specialty.

9. Luxury Homes Certification (LHC)

• Cost: Step 1 (self-paced core): $99 (RRC designee) / $120 (non-member); Step 2 elective: $150 (self-paced designee) / $175 (self-paced non-member) or classroom varies by host
• Best for: Luxury real estate agents
• Time commitment: 1 day
• Where to get it: Get it at Residential Real Estate Council

The LHC designation is designed for agents already working with high-end properties or wanting to become luxury real estate agents. The only requirement to earn this certification is that you’re a member of the NAR, and it’s one of the most affordable options on this list. It’s a practical entry point for breaking into the luxury niche.

It zeroes in on pricing strategy, client psychology, and negotiation at higher price points, helping you present like a luxury specialist and win trust with high net-worth clients. Compared to general real estate designations like ABR or SRS, LHC concentrates on the expectations unique to luxury, so it’s a strong add-on when you’re moving up-market.

Related Article

How To Become a Luxury Real Estate Agent

10. Certified Property Manager (CPM)

• Cost: Education bundle: $4,119 (member) / $5,149 (non-member); CPM Capstone Track (MPSA + CPM Exam): $1,774 (member) / $2,184 (non-member); $425 enrollment fee; $530 per year candidate dues + local chapter dues; $270 graduation processing
• Best for: Current property managers
• Time commitment: 14 to 18 months
• Where to get it: Get it at Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)

CPM is the flagship property manager designation — a clear signal to owners and investors that you can run buildings like a business. You’ll learn to speak to NOI, budgets, operations, and risk in plain English, then prove it in a two-part Capstone (Management Plan Skills Assessment + CPM Exam). 

Compared with residential REALTOR® designations, CPM is about depth in operations and leadership — steadier recurring revenue, stronger owner relationships, and a credential that opens doors to larger portfolios.

Are real estate designations worth it?

When the credential changes who can find you, how you’re perceived in the room, or what deals you can credibly win — absolutely. If it doesn’t affect those three levers, skip it!

When they’re worth itWhen they’re not

A good designation should open doors you couldn’t open alone and make you sharper in the moments that matter.

• They unlock a real network. Some credentials include member directories, referrals, or events that put you in front of buyers, sellers, investors, or relocation partners you’d never meet otherwise.
• They sharpen your pitch. Strong curricula give you language, frameworks, and proof points that lift your consult win rate and average price point.
• They match your next 12 months. The fastest wins come when the designation aligns with the business you’re already pursuing (listings, seniors, military moves, luxury, international, commercial, or property management).

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