NAR Designations and Certifications
Leap EDU makes it easy for real estate pros to expand their knowledge and advance their careers
Overview
Leap EDU is the only non-association in New York State approved to offer the prestigious designations and certifications offered by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
NAR awards designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors upon completion of required courses. Leap EDU makes it easy for real estate professionals to expand their knowledge and advance their careers by offering a wide array of NAR designation and certification courses frequently throughout the year. Our courses do not have minimum enrollment restrictions, as many associations that offer the courses do.
Who Is a Member of the National Association of REALTORS®?
Membership in a local association of REALTORS® automatically extends your membership to the state association and national association. If you’re not a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, but you’d like to become one, you must first join a local real estate association.
Members of NAR belong to one or more of some 1,400+ local associations (also called boards) and 54 state and territorial associations of REALTORS®.
Find and Join a Local REALTOR® Association
Find local associations of REALTORS® in your area by browsing NAR’s list of local and state associations . You can also send NAR an email with your name, address, company name, phone and/or fax numbers and NAR will respond with some local associations in your area. Then contact your local association of REALTORS® regarding membership.
As a member, you are the voice for NAR — it is your association and it exists to help you increase your business opportunities.
Additional Membership Information
- The principals of a real estate firm must first join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal can join. Principals are defined as: sole proprietors; partners in a partnership; corporate officers or majority shareholders of a corporation; or branch office managers acting on behalf of the principal.
- Once the principal(s) decide to join the REALTOR® association, then all agents, brokers and appraisers that are licensed or affiliated with him or her have the option of also joining as members of the association.
- Each REALTOR® firm appoints one of its principals as a “designated REALTOR®” for the firm. If any agents, brokers, or appraisers affiliated with the firm choose not to be REALTORS®, then the “designated REALTOR®” would be assessed a non-member assessment by the association for each non-member.
- If any principal who otherwise qualifies for REALTOR® membership decides not to join the REALTOR® association, then none of the individuals affiliated with the firm can be REALTOR® members of the association.
- The principal(s) have what is called “board of choice,” which means he or she can decide which REALTOR® association(s) in the state where the office is located (or contiguous to that state) to join. See a complete list of REALTOR® associations here.
- Licensees affiliated with a REALTOR® firm may choose as their primary association any association in the state (or a state contiguous to that state) where the firm maintains a “designated REALTOR®.”
If you are going to work for a REALTOR®, please do not hesitate to contact NAR for additional information. NAR can look up your broker’s name and office and see if he or she is a member of the REALTOR® association. If your broker is a member, we can refer you to the local REALTOR® association he/she belongs to.
NAR Dues
2020 and 2021 National Dues
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® dues are $150 per member for 2020 and $150 per member 2021. This amount is billed to all active REALTOR® and REALTOR® Associate members through their primary local association and is due and owing to NAR by Jan. 1. Brokers are also assessed NAR dues times the number of non-member salespersons, if any, in their office. National dues are pro-rated monthly for new members based on the join date. This proration only applies in the calendar year the member joins NAR. Thereafter, full year dues are due and owing by January 1. The waiver of NAR dues for REALTORS® and their spouses called up from reserves to active duty deployment approved for the 2002 dues after the 9/11/01 tragedies, has been extended to cover dues for 2021. Please note that this does not apply to career military.
2020 and 2021 NAR Special Assessment
The Special Assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign (formerly known as Public Awareness Campaign) is $35 for 2020 and 2021. The assessment is billed to all active REALTOR® and REALTOR® Associate members through their primary local association and is due and owing to NAR by Jan. 1. This assessment is not pro-rated. New members will owe the full $35 when joining NAR. The Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment is not charged to Institute Affiliate members, nor is it charged for non-members salespersons. It is also not charged for National REALTOR® Emeritus.
Nondeductible Dues
Compliance with the Tax Reform Act of 1993, as amended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, requires that the portion of dues attributable to lobbying and political activities at the Local, State and Federal levels of government be considered nondeductible for income tax purposes. This nondeductible portion must be disclosed to members on their dues invoice each year.
For 2020, with dues at $150 per member, NAR computes 38 percent or $57 to be nondeductible for the member’s income tax purposes due to NAR lobbying efforts. Please note that the entire $35 Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment qualifies as fully deductible.
For 2021, with dues at $150 per member, NAR computes 38 percent or $57 to be nondeductible for the member’s income tax purposes due to NAR lobbying efforts. Please note that the entire $35 Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment qualifies as fully deductible.
In addition, contributions (including member dues) to NAR are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Remember, for those of you who may combine both the dues for 2020 and 2021 ($150) and Consumer Advertising assessment ($35) into one line on your dues, you need to make sure your members know that the non-deductibility percentage applies only to the $150, not to $185. The $35 is fully deductible.
Also for new members, because their National dues are prorated, for 2020 and for 2021 the 38% should be applied to the prorated amount.
NAR Family Designations
Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation confirms the expertise of real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home buying process.
Certified international Property Specialist (CIPS)
Align yourself with the best in international real estate by earning the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation.
It 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 over 3,500 professionals who turn to each other first when looking for referral partners.
NAR Green Designation
Through NAR’s Green Designation, the Green Resource Council provides ongoing education, resources and tools to help real estate practitioners find, understand and market properties with green features.
Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)
The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance.
The designation is awarded to real estate professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for seller advocacy. SRS designees represent a global community of REALTORS® who use their advanced training and expertise to go above and beyond their client’s expectations.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
The SRES® Designation program educates REALTORS® on how to profitably and ethically serve the real estate needs of the fastest growing market in real estate, clients age 50+. By earning the SRES®
designation, you gain access to valuable member benefits, useful resources, and networking opportunities across the U.S. and Canada to help you in your business.
NAR Family Certifications
At Home With Diversity (AHWD)
Learn to work effectively with – and within – today’s diverse real estate market. The At Home With Diversity certification teaches you how to conduct your business with sensitivity to all client profiles and build a business plan to successfully serve them.
Military Relocation Proffessional Certification
NAR’s Military Relocation Professional certification focuses on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.
NAR e-PRO Certification
NAR’s e-PRO® certification program helps REALTORS® master the advanced digital marketing techniques of today. With the e-PRO® certification, REALTORS® increase their ability to reach customers, expand their capabilities, and build trust by safeguarding client information.
Pricing Stratagy Advisor (PSA)
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 with NAR’s PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor) certification.
Real Estate Negotiations Expert (RENE)
The first and only negotiation credential recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®, the Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certification is designed to elevate and enhance negotiating skills so that today’s real estate professionals can play the game to win.
Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS)
This certification is designed for REALTORS® who facilitate the buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination are involved in this market niche.
Shorts Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR)
The SFR® certification teaches real estate professionals to work with distressed sellers and the finance, tax, and legal professionals who can help them, qualify sellers for short sales, develop a short sale package, negotiate with lenders, safeguard your commission, limit risk, and protect buyers.
