The Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation is conferred by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) to those who meet rigorous experience, education, and oral plus written examination requirements. Residential CMB members are certified as experts in residential real estate financing, Commercial CMB members are certified as experts in financing commercial real estate transactions, and Master CMBs are recognized as experts in both the residential and commercial mortgage lending areas. The Association also awards such specialized designations as Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP), Certified Mortgage Servicer (CMS), Certified Residential Originator (CRO), and Certified Residential Underwriter (CRU) to those with demonstrated expertise in specific lending applications.
Member Appraisal Institute (MAI) and Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA) are designations held by members of the Appraisal Institute. An MAI is qualified by education and experience to appraise income-producing real estate; the MAI designation is viewed by many as the most prestigious credential a real estate appraiser can hold. An SRA has the education and experience to be expert in appraising 1 – 4 family residential properties. The Appraisal Institute's designation programs require classroom training, examinations, experience, and demonstration of competency that exceed the requirements real estate appraisers must meet in becoming licensed by their state governments.
There are two well-known trade associations for professionals in the real estate management field. The independent Building Owners' and Managers' Association (BOMA) awards the Real Property Administrator (RPA) and Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) certifications. The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, ® offers the Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) certifications. Holders of all these certifications must be experienced property managers who meet the sponsoring organizations' educational requirements.
Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designees are members of the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute who have met the Institute's rigorous education, testing, and experience requirements. CCIMs have expertise in analyzing financial and other aspects of investment real estate, and in structuring transactions to maximize economic benefits for their clients. The Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute is an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors ®.
The large and influential National Association of Realtors ® (NAR) professional organization awards numerous designations or certifications to its members who have met the prescribed education and experience requirements in specific areas of real estate analysis or marketing. Perhaps the most prestigious is the Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) designation, awarded to senior members of the real estate profession who are recognized by their professional peers for their experience, integrity, and skills in solving complex real estate problems for clients. Well-known designations awarded by NAR in the real estate sales field are Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and Graduate of the Realtors ® Institute (GRI).
Two other organizations dedicated to providing education and publications, and to advancing professional standards and opportunities, in the real estate field are the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) [nareit.com] and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) [uli.org]. These two organizations offer training and information to their members, but do not award specific professional certifications
