frequently asked questions
Why should I earn the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation?
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.
What are the ABR® designation requirements?
The following requirements must be met to attain and use the ABR® designation:
Step 1: Successful completion of the official two-day ABR® Designation Course.
- Available online through the Center for REALTOR® Development. For the online course only, an exam is required with a passing score of 80% or better.
- Available in a live classroom setting through CRD-licensed course providers (includes live virtual).
- After you complete this course, you become an ABR® Candidate and have three (3) years to complete the other ABR® designation requirements.
Step 2: Successful completion of one of the ABR® elective courses.
- This course may be taken prior to completing the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation course.
Step 3: Five (5) completed transactions in which the ABR® candidate acted as a buyer’s representative
- This can include up to two leases
- These transactions do not need to fall within a specific period of time.
Step 4: Submit your ABR® designation application
- If you have completed all of the designation requirements, it’s time to submit your application!
- Please note that you may not promote yourself as an ABR® until you are notified via email that you have been awarded the designation.
Step 5: Membership in good standing in the Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD) and the National Association of REALTORS®.
Please Note: All requirements must be completed within three (3) years of completing the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation Course.
Do I have to belong to CRD to earn my ABR® designation?
The ABR® designation, is a credential program offered by Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD). You must continue your membership with both CRD and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to earn it.
Failure to maintain membership with CRD for five (5) consecutive years or longer will result in having to repeat all the ABR® requirements. Exceptions for certain situations will be considered if we are notified prior to your absence and it is noted in your record.
If your CRD membership should lapse for two (2) months, a $50 reactivation fee will be assessed in addition to the current year’s membership dues.
For International REALTOR® Members, see International membership requirements.
What is an ABR® candidate?
By completing the ABR® designation course, you will become an ABR® candidate and receive limited access to ABR® member benefits.
You can become an ABR® designee by completing the designation requirements and submitting an application.
Which benefits do ABR® candidates receive?
- ABR® HotSheet e-newsletter
- Student Manual
- Today’s Buyer’s Rep (Digital edition)
Which courses meet the ABR® designation elective course requirement?
More than a dozen different courses qualify as elective options. View all elective options, many of which also count towards other designation requirements.
When can I begin using the ABR® designation/logo in my advertisements and my representations to the public?
Only REALTORS® who have met all the ABR® designation requirements and have been awarded the ABR® designation are permitted to call themselves an ABR® designee and use the ABR® logo.
Please note: If your membership lapses, you will no longer be able to use the ABR® logo in your marketing material and will lose access to your exclusive member benefits.
Do I have to be a member of NAR to have the ABR® designation?
Yes, you must be an active member of the National Association of REALTORS®.
What benefits do ABR® designees receive?
In addition to candidate benefits designees receive:
- Printed designation certificate and pin (US Members)
- Use of ABR® logo and name
- Listing in the ABR® directory & differentiation on nar.realtor and realtor.com®
- Today’s Buyer’s Rep (Print edition)
- Press release template announcing your new designation
- Personalizable marketing materials such as brochures, client one-sheets, social media marketing and more!
- Buyer-centric news, tips, and publications delivered to your inbox and mailbox weekly, and bi-monthly
- Access to the ABR® networking & referral Facebook group
- Access to the ABR® Print Shop
What is the cost of annual ABR® membership?
ABR® membership dues are $110 per year.
Your first year of ABR® membership is free and begins upon successful completion of the ABR® Designation Course—not when you apply. Each member is eligible for only one free year. Retaking the course will not restart the free membership period.
Dues are billed annually, with your first dues invoice prorated based on the month of course completion, to align with the calendar billing cycle.
See a chart of dues proration amounts.
For International REALTOR® Members, see International membership information.
Why is my dues invoice less than the cost of one year's dues?
ABR® membership dues are billed in the fall and are due on January 1st. If your dues invoice is for less than $110, that means you took the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation Course sometime after January in the preceding year and the free one-year membership you received after completing the course began at that time. The amount you were billed covers the months remaining in the calendar year after your free membership expires, bringing your billing into a calendar year billing cycle.
How do I print my dues receipt?
Log into the Payment Portal and click on the tab called ‘My Orders’. Navigate to the ‘Paid Orders’ section and click the link for the dues order you’d like to print.