CIPS Designation

CIPS International real estate opportunities are everywhere.  New people move to the U.S. from other countries every day and foreign-born individuals residing in the U.S. move to new markets.  Americans in your current market invest in property overseas.  No matter which international audience you cater to, the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designation will provide you with the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize your business.

By earning your CIPS Designation, you will gain access to the CIPS Network. This members-only group is specifically for international practitioners of the National Association of REALTORS®. Comprised of over 2,000 real estate professionals specializing in all types of real estate, the CIPS Network provides a 360° view of the global market. In any type of international real estate transaction, members are consumers’ best and most trusted resource for navigating the international market.

Stand out on a global level.

The CIPS Designation is the only designation of its kind in the real estate community.  It’s synonymous with advanced expertise, a global perspective and distinct understanding of a global buyer, and comes with powerful brand recognition with designees in nearly 40 countries.

By earning your CIPS Designation, you instantly align yourself with the best in the business, and join our influential network of international professionals.  Don’t just give your business a global spin; take your business to the global level.

The CIPS Designation can also increase your earning potential.  On average, CIPS designees earn $50,000 more than non-CIPS designees from real estate sales annually.*

For REALTORS®

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.

You must successfully complete the 2 core courses and 3 out of 5 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 70% or better.  Calculators are required for all courses.

• Core Course: Global Real Estate: Local Markets (1 day) is a required prerequisite to the other courses.
• Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (1 day) is a required course.
• Europe & International Real Estate (1 day)
• Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate (1 day)
• The Americas & International Real Estate (1 day)
• The Middle East and Africa & International Real Estate (1 day)
• At Home With Diversity (1 day)

In addition to completing 5 CIPS courses, you must submit a 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.