Designations & Certifications

Earning a certification or designation can help you succeed in all aspects of your business. Gain a competitive edge and increase your expertise and marketability!

RI REALTORS® offers various courses that count towards local and Nationally recognized certifications.   When taken with RI REALTORS®, these courses count toward RI license renewal continuing education and are often offered at discounted pricing.

Courses licensed through the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils including the Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD) and Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) include:

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and various ABR electives Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource (SFR) Certified Real Estate Team Specialist (C-RETS) NAR’S Green Designation (GREEN) Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI)  Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) e-PRO®

Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) Resort & Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS) At Home with Diversity (AHWD) Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

Please refer to the FAQs below to learn more about the requirements for the above certification/designations.   It is important to note, that with some certifications and designations completing the course does not automatically grant you the credential. Education electives, annual fees, or application fees may apply.

Other certifications offered through RI REALTORS that are not licensed through the National Association of REALTORS® 

• RI Rental Specialist (RIRS) & RI Property Management Specialist (RIPMS) 
• Commercial & Investment Real Estate Certification (CIREC)

If you are looking for a specific class and do not see it on the RIAR course calendar, please check with the Professional Development Department at [email protected].  

Where can I learn more about NAR recognized Designation/Certifications?

Please visit https://www.nar.realtor/education/designations-and-certifications or contact [email protected] if you need assistance locating additional information. 

Can I take NAR Designation/Certifications online?

If you are not able to take our live in-person or Zoom designation/certification courses endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®, most are available online directly through the Center for REALTOR Development or Real Estate Business Institute, however, there are no continuing education credits in RI for license renewal or towards obtaining a Brokers license when doing so.   You can see those options at CRD https://www.rirealtors.org/crd and REBI https://www.rirealtors.org/rebi .

Why is there no continuing education credit when taking the same course through the Center for REALTOR Development and Real Estate Business Institute?

CRD and REBI do not submit coursework for continuing education approval and are not required to adhere to online continuing education requirements.

What are the benefits for taking a designation/certification course with RI REALTORS® vs a National online school?

There is no instructor/learner/peer interaction with online schools and in addition, many instructors at RI REALTORS® can speak to the local marketplace and specific RI state laws, systems, etc.   In most cases, the pricing for taking the course is provided at a discount compared to a no CE offering. 

What are the costs for obtaining NAR endorsed certifications/designations?

Each certification/designation has different requirements (and benefits) whether it be elective course requirements, application fees, annual membership fees, etc. These requirements can be found at https://www.nar.realtor/education/designations-and-certifications

How can I identify if a professional designation or certification is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®?  

RI REALTORS® will indicate this in the description and marketing.   If the course in question is being offered by another school, please inquire with that school.   You can also inquire by emailing [email protected]

If I see this course offered in another state, am I able to get CEs in RI?

The school, instructor and course must be approved by the RI Department of Business Regulation to award CE.  If you are unsure if the school is approved, please contact the entity offering the course directly to inquire.