Understand the steps to global success.

The way you earn your CIPS Designation depends on where you live. If you are a REALTOR® in the United States, follow the steps below. If you are a practitioner outside of the United States, please reference How to Earn the CIPS Designation: For Non-U.S. Professionals.

Step 1: Education

You must successfully complete the 2 core courses and 3 elective courses (outlined below), and pass the multiple-choice examination given at the end of each course. To pass an exam, you must earn a 80% or better. Important Note: All educational requirements must be completed within two years of passing the the first course taken.

Required Courses:

• Global Real Estate: Local Markets (1 day) is a required prerequisite to the other courses.
• Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (1 day)

Elective Options:

• Europe & International Real Estate (1 day)
• Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate (1 day)
• The Americas & International Real Estate (1 day)
• The Business of U.S. Real Estate (1-day course, available in November 2011)
• At Home With Diversity (1 day)

OR

One of the following courses from the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS), or Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) also counts as one elective option:

• CRS 200 - Business Planning and Marketing for the Residential Specialist
• CRS 204 - Creating Wealth through Residential Real Estate Investments
• CCIM - Residential Real Estate Financial Analysis

Read the overview of CIPS classes, or to find a course taking place in your area, check out our course schedule.

Step 2: Designation Application

In addition to completing 5 CIPS courses, you must submit a CIPS Designation application demonstrating your experience in international real estate. This application requires that you earn 100 points in elective credits. Elective credits can be earned by speaking other languages, possessing additional NAR designations, attending international conferences and education sessions, and international transactions in which you will be asked to answer specific questions regarding the sales of each transaction. Transactions must involve other cultures or countries, and can include sales in your local market.

Applications can be submitted throughout the year; however they are due by Oct. 1 to be recognized (and pinned) at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in November. They can be submitted before your coursework is completed. A one-time only processing fee of US$75 is required when you submit your designation application. Once approved, you must maintain your designation dues annually in order to use the CIPS Designation. Annual CIPS Designation dues are US$220.

If you are having trouble signing the .pdf, go to Advanced > Security Settings. Click on Digital IDs in the left menu. Examine the Intended Usage and select the certificate that includes Sign transaction, Sign document, and Client Authorization. Go to Usage Options and select Use for Signing. Then go back to the document and click Sign, but select Certify with Visible Signature. This should sign the document.

Did you know Association Executives and staff can also earn the CIPS Designation? Visit the AE section for more information.