1.3 Professional Organizations
Professional Organizations in Real Estate
The real estate industry is supported by a variety of trade organizations that promote different business specializations. Membership in these organizations provides benefits such as training programs, professional designations, and communication channels for staying updated on industry events and laws. Belonging to a trade organization can also enhance your professional image with clients and the public.
Some major real estate trade organizations and designations include:
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- American Society of Appraisers (appraisers.org)
- American Society of Home Inspectors (ashi.com)
- Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) (arello.org)
- Building Owners and Managers Association (boma.org)
- CCIM Institute (ccim.com) – Certified Commercial-Investment Member
- Corenet Global (corenetglobal.org) – Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR)
- Counselors of Real Estate (cre.org) – Counselor of Real Estate (CRE)
- Institute of Real Estate Management (irem.org) – Certified Property Manager (CPM)
- International Association of Assessing Officers (iaao.org)
- International Council of Shopping Centers (icsc.org)
- Mortgage Bankers Association of America (mba.org) – Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB)
- National Association of Realtors (NAR) (nar.realtor) – GRI, CIPS
- Women’s Council of Realtors (wcr.org) – Performance Management Network (PMN)
These organizations offer valuable resources, networking, and professional credibility for anyone pursuing a real estate career.
Joining the Professionals
Choose the best answer for each question, then select Check Answers.
Which of the following is not a benefit of joining a real estate trade organization?
While organizations offer many benefits, free vacations are not typically included!
Which organization is known for the “Certified Commercial-Investment Member (CCIM)” designation?
The CCIM Institute awards the Certified Commercial-Investment Member designation.
Great job! You have the key points of this topic down.


