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CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
 

Here are the key benefits of earning the CRS Designation:

  • Gaining higher volume of transactions and greater gross sales — CRS Designees earn an average yearly income of $155,896 compared to $39,300 for a REALTOR who is a sales agent.
  • Improving efficiencies through use of business planning, effective personal marketing and delegating part of workload to personal assistants.
  • Tapping into a network of professionally trained Certified Residential Specialists (CRSs) to give and get referrals to clients.
  • Benefiting from the Council of Residential Specialist's body of knowledge: local and national networking opportunities, CRS Courses available in different locations throughout the year.
  • Quality-Tested products and services, and bimonthly magazine, The Residential Specialist.
 
How do I Earn the CRS designation?

The following options are available to students who wish to earn the CRS Designation. Students should pick the option that best fits their situation.

To maintain the CRS Designation, students are required to join the CRS Council on a yearly basis. Other fees associated with the designation may be applicable.  To learn all the fees and benefits of holding the CRS designation you can call the CRS Council at 800-462-8841 or go to their website at www.crs.com.

You are also encouraged to join the local Iowa CRS Chapter. More information about the Iowa CRS chapter, including an application form, is available at www.iowacrs.com.

 
Program
Option A
Option B
Pro-Program*
Managers

 

 

 

 

Production Requirements

75 transactions within any five years

OR

$25 million within any five years

25 transactions (with no time frame)

OR

$8 million with a minimum of 10 transactions within any 2 years

150 transactions

OR

an average of $1 million per year of experience with a minimum of 40 transactions

(i.e. 10 years=$10mil, 15 years = $15mil, etc.)

directly oversee a minimum of 400 closed residential transactions

OR

directly oversee $80 million in closed residential transactions

OR

have 4 years of real estate management experience

Core Course Requirements

4 core course units

6 core course units

2 core course units

6 core course units

Elective Requirements

4 units

4 units

N/A

4 units

*To qualify for the Pro-Program individuals must be licensed for a minimum of 10 years.
 

Elective Requirements:

A total of 4 units are needed. Choose from the following:

  • Additional CRS Core Course (2 Units per course)
  • CRS Approved One-Unit Courses (1 Unit per course, 2 units maximum)
  • Attendance at CRS Sell-a-bration (1 unit per conference, 2 units
    maximum)
  • Additional Production (1 Unit per submission, 4 units maximum)
  • National Association of REALTORS® Courses (1-2 Units per course, 2
    units maximum)
  • Distance learning course (1-2 Units per course, 4 units maximum)
  • Bachelor’s Degree OR any one of the following Designations or Certifications: ABR, ALC, CPM, CRB, CRES, CCIM, FRI, GRI or e-Pro (2
    Units per item, 2 units maximum)
 
For detailed descriptions about the approved CRS electives click here.
 
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