It’s that time of the year when the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors® (NETAR) set their sights on boosting their members eduction and training. It couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. The industry is going through some structural changes that are just significant as the demographic changes the Tri-Cities region is going through. 

Designation Awareness Month’s focus is part of the commitment to continuing education and encourages Realtors® to take the extra step toward knowledge and service excellence. The worth of designations, certifications, and continuing education is demonstrated by the success of those who take advantage of specialized skills. 

A couple of years ago, NAR’s membership survey found that the median income of Realtors® with at least one designation was a little better than 45% higher than an agent with no designations. 

According to a NAR survey, a little over 39% of members nationwide hold at least one certification. In addition to certifications, 36% have at least one professional designation. That survey was pre-pandemic, and it’s likely the post-pandemic numbers are higher. They’re higher because the ever-evolving real estate industry requires new skills. It’s becoming more specialized, and members are targeting special skill sets that conform to what’s happening in their home markets and the overall industry.  

For example, the most popular certification was Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource® (SFR) after the Great Recession. That interest was market-driven by the elevated number of distressed homes on the market.   

Another popular skill set was the e-Pro®. It has become a staple since online marketing and digital services have become dominant. And advances in technology are coming fast. 

Those are just two examples of how Realtors® manage their career focus with continuing education. They do that to enhance their clients’ expertise and keep up with the ever-change real estate industry.  

A recent Investopedia report listed seven top designations based on the benefits of the designation and potential impact on a career. They included: 

• Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 
• Seller Representative Specialist (SAR®) 
• Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) 
• Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB®) 
• Certified Resident Specialist (CRS®) 
• Military Relocation Professional (MRP®) 
• Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) 

That’s a small subset of the designations available. The most common is Certificated Residential Specialist CRS®. So, there are ample options and opportunities based on local market conditions or where individuals want to focus on their careers. 

The difference between a certification and a designation is that certifications are earned by continuing education and a onetime certification fee. Designations are linked to issuing bodies that Realtors® pay dues to after they’ve met the organizations’ education requirements.  

If you look at the acronyms behind a Realtors’® name on their business card or in their biography on their Web site, you can tell what special skills they have earned and which organizations they are vested with. You’ll probably need a crib sheet to understand what the acronyms mean. That can be found by pointing your Web browser to  https://netar.us/members/education/designations-and-certifications/ at the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors® website. It’s a useful tool that increasing numbers of savvy buyers and sellers use to ensure they partner with a Realtor® who has special skills in an area that will work best with their clients’ real estate needs and goals.  

There are also seminars and classes that don’t result in a certification or designation but keep Realtors® up to date on the constantly changing laws, practices, forms, and trends in real estate. It’s all part of Realtors® ongoing effort to stay on the age of their profession and the rapidly changing real estate industry.