Designations and Certifications help the best and the most dedicated REALTORS® in the industry distinguish and brand themselves through specialized niche markets to nearly double their earning potential. Get started today!
How it Works
C.A.R. Certifications are awarded automatically by email the day after all required classes/exams are completed. NAR Designations and Certifications have a submission process and once you complete the respective class, NAR will contact you with next steps. Once you've earned your Certification or Designation, you can list it on your member profile.
All C.A.R. Education certifications expire 2 years from the date they were awarded and anyone who wishes to renew must retake the original course(s) or a renewal course if one is available. The courses are updated regularly so that new information is available to new and returning agents and members.
C.A.R. Certifications
AIR CRE Commercial Contracts Certification
Real estate professionals interested in commercial real estate and a thorough understanding of the AIR CRE forms will benefit from taking these courses and earning the certification. Come away from these Commercial Real Estate classes with a complete understanding of how to use AIR CRE contracts when representing a commercial landlord or tenant.
Certified Transaction Coordinator (CTC)
A certification program specially designed for all real estate transaction coordinators! This certification is designed to enhance a real estate transaction coordinator’s knowledge to achieve the highest level of success. Attend and complete two mandatory courses, plus successfully complete two electives. Please note: Non-licensed real estate professionals must also take the online Real Estate Law Dos and Don’ts for the Non-Licensees course and only one elective course.
Disaster Preparedness and Knowledge (DPK) Certification: Crisis Knowledge Management
Preparing for a disaster requires more than just an emergency kit. These four courses take an in-depth look into the major disasters for California and helps to prepare real estate professionals, step-by-step, both mentally and physically. Understand what you need to do to properly protect yourself, your family, your business and your community.
First Time Buyers Specialist Certification (FTBS)
First Time Buyer Specialists are REALTORS® qualified to meet the special needs and concerns of first-time home buyers. By earning the FTBS Certification, you demonstrate that you have the knowledge and expertise to counsel younger clients purchasing for the first time on the home buying process and mortgage solutions to help them overcome the challenges they face in securing financing. Win their business and their loyalty to become their agent of choice when they move to their next home.
Investment Property Specialist Certification
This is one course and certification designed to teach real estate professionals how to prospect, market, and sell income-producing real estate. The reward of financial freedom, for you and for your clients, comes with price tags of time, money, and energy. For you, the time and energy you put into this course will be the ground work that leads you to becoming an expert at identifying potential clients to offer them an opportunity to make income on their real estate investment?
Negotiation Certification
Do you know how to negotiate to get the best deal for your clients? Can you maneuver out of difficult situations? Tune in for classes on these skills and determine how to implement them in your future transactions.
Probate & Trust Specialist
What's the purpose of a Probate? Are there any exceptions? What are the relevant ways to hold Title? Get these questions answered and take a deep dive into Probate transactions as you become an expert as a Certified Probate & Trust Specialist!
Property Management Certification (PMC) and Property Management Master Certification (PMM)
A program especially designed for REALTORS® looking to establish and build a property management business. Learn how you can manage residential and commercial properties to increase your revenue. Complete the PMC package of five (5) courses to earn the PMC and complete the PMM package of 5 classes NEXT to earn the PMM Certification.
Office Management Certification (OMC)
The OMC will help the ideal candidate provide oversight of licensed activities and create a context for recruitment and training goals. Generate an effective work environment for yourself and others to lead licensed and unlicensed employees, and REALTORS® alike toward maximum earning potential and growth.
Team Leader Certification (TLC)
The Team Leader Certification will give agents the tools they need to organize and follow up with team members, as well as helping them to understand the challenges and benefits of working as a team in today’s market. The TLC will also assist in creating a business environment that enhances the confidence of REALTORS® and the real estate experience for consumers while reducing liability for the agent and broker.
WomanUP!® Academy Executive Certification
The C.A.R. WomanUP!® ACADEMY Executive Certification Bundle is composed of courses developed by some of the esteemed WomanUP!® keynote speakers. Take the combined courses listed here to earn your WomanUP!® Academy Executive Certification. This bundle has 10 courses packed with valuable information designed to empower you and arm you with knowledge and strategies to implement in your practice.
NAR Designations, Certifications, and Courses
Accredited Buyer's Representative® Designation (ABR®)
This class is now offered for FREE for C.A.R. Members directly through NAR!
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
An ABR® designation will prepare real estate professionals to thoroughly represent buyer-clients in real estate transactions. Learn how to successfully serve the buyer in today's buyer's market! The two-day core course, plus additional electives and experiential requirements constitute the ABR® designation. Complete the ABR® Designation course online or in a classroom setting.
At Home With Diversity® (AHWD)
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) is an NAR certification program designed to present a picture of the changing face of the real estate industry. Since 1998, the At Home With Diversity® program has prepared over 20,000 REALTORS® to work effectively with and within today’s increasingly diverse pool of homebuyers.
CIPS Certified International Property Specialist
International real estate opportunities are everywhere. New people move to the U.S. from other countries every day and foreign-born individuals residing in the U.S. move to new markets. Americans in your current market invest in property overseas. No matter which international audience you cater to, the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designation will provide you with the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize your business.
e-PRO® Certification
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
The new e-PRO® certification provides a roadmap to help you serve hyper-connected consumers of today and tomorrow. Course topics for Day 1 include the changing market, how to connect with consumers, the online conversation, and reputation management. Day 2 provides hands-on discovery of business tech tools, such as an e-strategy, mobile office, micro-blogging, rich media, and NAR resources.
Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI℠)
The GRI℠ designation is considered the foundation for all other advanced real estate designations. The education you receive in the GRI℠ program is considered by many as the most comprehensive training program available today to REALTORS® in the nation. The GRI℠ program is designed to enhance REALTORS®' knowledge of real estate marketing skills that will set you apart from the competition.
GREEN Designation
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
NAR's Green Designation is designed for agents looking to learn about issues of energy efficiency and sustainability in real estate. NAR's Green Designation provides advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices so that you can seek out, understand, and market properties with green features. Builder and consumer adoption of sustainability is rapidly growing...will you be ready to guide your clients?
Military Relocation Professional Certification
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
This certification focuses on educating REALTORS® about working with current and former military service members to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.
Pricing Strategy Advisor Certification (PSA)
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
The Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification is specifically designed to 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.
Real Estate Investing: Build Wealth Representing Investors and Becoming One Yourself
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
This course covers the fundamentals of real estate investment that practitioners need to know to expand their business services. The one-day course looks at how practitioners can adapt core real estate skills and learn new skills to serve clients who want to invest in single family homes, condos, townhomes, and small multifamily properties. You will learn how to work with investors as they goal set, plan, evaluate, and acquire properties as well as manage them. You will also learn how to "walk the talk" and become a real estate investor yourself.
Best Apps & Tools for Real Estate Safety with Craig Grant
This 10-minute course with Craig Grant discusses apps and tools that real estate professionals can use to ensure their personal safety and that of their clients. The course covers the best apps, tools, or devices for personal safety, as well as those that can protect the agent's sphere.
Resort & Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS®) Certification
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
REALTORS® who want to add resort and second-home market knowledge to their expertise should pursue this certification. Knowledgeably serve your clients and meet their needs in this potentially lucrative arena.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) Designation
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
Seniors Real Estate Specialists® are REALTORS® qualified to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans. By earning the SRES® designation, you demonstrate the knowledge and expertise to counsel older clients through major financial lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home.
Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource (SFR) Certification
Sign Up for a Webinar or Online Anytime
For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today’s market—they are critical. And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term.
More from the NAR Family of Designations and Certifications
Get started at NAR.realtor
The National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils provide a wide range of programs and services that help members increase their skills, proficiency, and knowledge. Designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by NAR and each affiliated group upon completion of required courses.
Accredited Land Consultant / ALC
Certified Commercial Investment Member / CCIM
Certified Property Manager® / CPM®
Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager / CRB
Certified Real Estate Team Specialist / C-RETS
Certified Residential Specialist / CRS
Counselor of Real Estate® / CRE®
e-PRO®
General Accredited Appraiser / GAA
Inside Sales Agent
Luxury Homes Certification / LHC
Performance Management Network / PMN
Real Estate Negotiation Expert / RENE
REALTOR® Association Certified Executive / RCE
Residential Accredited Appraiser / RAA
Seller Representative Specialist / SRS
Smart Home Certification
Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® / SIOR
Find more high quality education at store.car.org.
