Designations & certifications

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^®. 

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. 

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 more than 3,500 professionals who turn to each other first when looking for referral partners.

REALTORS^® know the importance of adapting to remain relevant in today's multicultural marketplace. AHWD covers how to work effectively with diverse populations by developing business practices rooted in inclusion and equality to help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership.

Virtual:

• August 20 & 21 from 2–5 p.m. daily 
  At Home With Diversity^® certification (AHWD) with Maurice Taylor
  
  
• October 22 & 23 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. daily
  At Home With Diversity^® certification (AHWD) with Tara Houston

Pricing:

GCAAR members (a saving of $108 off NAR pricing)​

This certification is provided at no cost to GCAAR members and $30 for non-members. Credits: 6.0 elective hours MD and D.C. licensees.

Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing is an NAR certificate course that helps real estate professionals interrupt stereotypical thinking so they can avoid fair housing pitfalls and provide equal professional service to every customer or client. Participants will learn about the mind science of identity, study how implicit bias can result in fair housing violations and engage in interactive exercises to enhance communication skills and business relationships with clients of all backgrounds.

GCAAR's Rockville classroom:

• September 11, 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
  Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing Certificate with Mary Chieppa

Pricing:

GCAAR members (a savings of up to $99)​

This certificate course is provided at no cost to GCAAR members and $30 for non-members. Credits: 3.0 required hours for MD licensees and 3.0 elective hours for D.C. licensees.

NAR's Home Finance Resource certification course is designed to teach REALTORS^® how to explain key pieces of the loan origination process to clients and confidently answer questions about mortgage options.

Virtual:

• October 1 & 2, 1–4 p.m.
  Home Finance Resource Certification (HFR) with David Piatek

Pricing:

(Savings of $17 off NAR pricing)

• Members early bird pricing: $105
• Non-members: $185

The National Association of REALTORS^®' RENE certification provides REALTORS^® with negotiation skills so you have the tips and tools you need to be a skillful advocate for your clients. Bonus? This course is also an elective for both the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR^®) designations. The RENE certification is owned & conferred by The Real Estate Business Institute (REBI), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS^®.

Virtual:

• November 19-21, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Real Estate Negotiation Expert Certification (RENE) with Mary Chieppa.
  

Pricing:

(savings of $65 off other providers)

• Members early bird: $185
• Non-members: $240
  

This comprehensive program is designed for those vital members of the office who are currently working with a real estate professional or for those aspiring to work alongside a real estate agent or team in an administrative capacity. The REPA certificate course will sharpen current, and create new, skills to further make the professional assistant an irreplaceable part of the team. Every administrative employee in the brokerage office, from listing secretary to the personal assistant, will benefit greatly from this program. This course was developed by REBI in partnership with the National Association of REALTORS^® / Center for REALTOR^® Development.