However, Realtors, as members of NAR, also have the option of studying for additional certifications in a variety of specialties, several of which are backed by NAR with offerings of certification and update courses available nationwide.

The most well known NAR sponsored designations are the following:

• Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR). The Real Estate Buyers Agent Council has over 40,000 members and is the largest association of real estate professionals focusing on all aspects of buyer representation. Linked to the ABR is the ABRM, Accredited Buyer Representative Manager (ABRM) for managers.

• Accredited Land Consultant (ALC). ALC's are the recognized experts in land brokerage transactions of all kinds of specialized land services including farms and ranches, raw land sales and development.

• Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, valuation and investment analysis.

• Certified Property Manager (CPM). Geared to real estate property management specialists, designees handle all forms of management from residential to commercial to industrial.

• Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB). The designation is awarded to Realtors who have completed the Council's advanced educational and professional requirements.

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). Designees, with 44,000 members - 4% of NAR members - who average 43 transactions per year and earn four times as much as the average Realtor, belong to the Council of Residential Specialists which is the largest affiliate of NAR.

• Certification for Internet Professionalism. An e-PRO is a Realtor who has undergone a new training program presented entirely online in order to be certified as Internet Professionals. NAR is the first major trade group to offer certification for online professionalism which involves all aspects of doing business on the internet.

• Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS). Realtors with the CIPS designation have both hands-on experience in international real estate transactions, Whether traveling abroad to put transactions together, assisting foreign investors, helping local buyers invest abroad, or serving an immigrant niche in local markets.

• Counselor of Real Estate (CRE). A CRE designee is one of only 1,100 by-invitation-only members of an international group of professionals who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters.

• Graduate of the Realtor's Institute (GRI). The GRI designation is held by 19% of Realtors and courses are offered through state Realtor associations with 90 hours of coursework on marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law.

• Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA). Designed for administrative assistants or employees of Realtors (who may or may not hold a real estate license).