Designations and Certifications

Growth is an important part of every real estate professional’s personal development. Without growth, you can become stagnant and irrelevant. There are multiple opportunities, across the state and online, for REALTORS® to grow in their profession, business, and life. By earning specialty designations, staying on top of the latest real estate trends and best practices, and participating in continuing education opportunities, you can increase your earning potential and build better relationships with your clients.

GRI Designation

The North Carolina Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) curriculum consists of 60 Hours (13 courses) that each student must complete successfully in order to earn the prestigious designation.

Five courses are available Virtually (Zoom) or Live (hosted by local associations across the state), while the eight Online courses are available 24/7. 

The North Carolina GRI Program accepts additional courses or certain NAR Certifications/Designations as equivalencies for certain online classes. These can be submitted during the GRI Application process.

Students working towards the GRI Designation will have the additional benefit of obtaining CE, fulfill NAR’s Ethics requirement, as well as earn credit towards the Workforce Housing Specialist Certification.

To learn more about the GRI Designation, please visit NC Realtors.org/ Learning Center.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers and brokers.

• Discounts of up to 50% on most education offered by the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC)

• Access to the Council’s referral network

• Listing in the Council’s online and print directories

• Eligibility to join the Qualified Consumer Leads program

• Attend RRC events at preferred member pricing

• Professionally branded materials like customizable sign riders, fact sheets, business cards, and the bi-monthly Your Home newsletter

• Local Networking through your state RRC organization

• Recognition of your expertise—the CRS designation is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers

For more information, please visit CRS Designation Homepage.

crs designation path

Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®)

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer's agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients. When you decide to earn your ABR®, you gain:

• Valuable real estate education that elevates your skills and knowledge in the eyes of homebuyers.
• Ongoing specialized information, programs and updates that help you stay on top of the issues and trends in successfully representing homebuyers.
• Access to REBAC members-only marketing tools and resources, which provide an additional competitive edge.

For more information, please visit ABR Homepage.

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

The CIPS designation is for REALTORS® from the United States and abroad, as well as association staff and volunteer leaders who wish to develop or grow their international real estate business. It will provide you with the knowledge, research, network, and tools to globalize your business.

For more information about the designation, please visit CIPS Homepage.

Commitment to Excellence (C2EX)

In 2018, the National Association of REALTORS® proudly launched Commitment to Excellence (C2EX), a program that empowers REALTORS® to demonstrate their professionalism and commitment to conducting business at the highest standards. NAR’s C2EX program was selected as a 2019 Learning! 100 award winner from Elearning! Media Group. This award honors organizations for fostering a culture of professional growth, innovation, and organizational performance. Past recipients include Amazon Web Services, AT&T, the American Heart Association and NASCAR.

To get started, log in to www.C2EX.realtor and take the self-assessment that measures your proficiency in each of the elements of professionalism, known as the C2EX Competencies. Based on your results, the platform will generate customized learning paths, recommend experiences, and provide tools and resources to increase your knowledge and enhance your skillsets.

Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) Certification

Designed for real estate professionals at all experience levels, the National Association of REALTORS® Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification, or SFR®, gives you a framework for understanding how to:

• Direct distressed sellers to finance, tax, and legal professionals
• Qualify sellers for short sales
• Develop a short sale package
• Negotiate with lenders
• Tap into buyer demand
• Safeguard your commission
• Limit risk
• Protect buyers

As many agents can attest, your ability to close short sales and foreclosures depends in part on your confidence in seeing these transactions through. Begin building your confidence today with SFR®!