There are trade organizations within the real estate industry that support and promote virtually every form of business specialization. Benefits of membership include training programs, professional designations, and communication channels for keeping abreast of events and laws. Trade organization membership also generally enhances one’s business image in the eyes of clients and the public at large.

Some of the major trade organizations, institutes and related professional designations are listed below.

Real Estate Trade Organizations and Designations

American Society of Appraisers www.appraisers.org 

American Society of Home Inspectors www.ashi.com 

Building Owners and Managers Association www.boma.org 

CCIM Institute www.ccim.com 

Certified Commercial-Investment Member (CCIM)

Corenet Global www.corenetglobal.org 

Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR)

Counselors of Real Estate www.cre.org 

Counselor of Real Estate (CRE)

Institute of Real Estate Management www.irem.org 

Certified Property Manager (CPM)

International Association of Assessing Officers www.iaao.org 

International Council of Shopping Centers www.icsc.org 

Mortgage Bankers Association of America www.mbaa.org 

Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB)

National Association of Exclusive Buyer’s Agents www.naeba.org 

National Association of Home Builders www.nahb.org 

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association www.naiop.org 

National Association of Real Estate Brokers www.nareb.com 

National Association of Realtors www.nar.realtor 

Graduate, Realtors Institute (GRI)

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

Real Estate Educators Association www.reea.org 

Realtors Land Institute www.rliland.com 

Accredited Land Consultant (ALC)
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors www.sior.com 

The Appraisal Institute www.appraisalinstitute.org 

Member, Appraisal Institute (MAI)
Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA)

Women’s Council of Realtors www.wcr.org 

Performance Management Network (PMN)