To earn your CIPS designation, you will need to complete two core courses, three elective courses, and submit your designation application demonstrating 100 points of international experience.
Courses are available either online or in the classroom and are valid for 3 years. Any courses completed more than 3 years prior to the submission of your application must be retaken to receive credit towards the education requirement of the designation.
The path to earn your CIPS designation is customized for U.S REALTORS®, International REALTORS®, and Association Executives. Follow the links below for more information.
For U.S. REALTORS®
Checklist for U.S. REALTORS® earning the CIPS designation (PDF: 495 KB)
Core Courses:
- Global Real Estate: Local Markets (1 day)
- Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (1 day)
Regional Options:
(choose three)
- Europe & International Real Estate (1 day)
- Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate (1 day)
- The Americas & International Real Estate (1 day)
- Africa & International Real Estate (1 day) — Available early 2022
OR you can substitute only ONE of the below for ONE of the above:
- NAR's At Home With Diversity (1 day)
- NAR's Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist certification course (1 day)
- NAR's Pricing Strategies: Mastering the CMA (1 day)
Application
Upon completion of the courses, fill out and submit the U.S. CIPS application. (PDF: 1.02 MB)
For International REALTORS®
Checklist for non-Canadian International REALTORS® earning the CIPS designation (PDF: 496 KB)
Checklist for Canadian REALTORS® earning the CIPS designation (PDF: 494 KB)
Core Courses:
- Global Real Estate: Local Markets (1 day)—required prerequisite
- The Business of U.S. Real Estate (1 day)
Regional Options:
(choose three)
- Europe & International Real Estate (1 day)
- Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate (1 day)
- The Americas & International Real Estate (1 day)
- Africa & International Real Estate (1 day) — Available early 2022
OR you can substitute only ONE of the below for ONE of the above:
- NAR's Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist certification course (1 day)
- NAR's Pricing Strategies: Mastering the CMA (1 day)
Application
Upon completion of the courses, fill out and submit an application:
- International CIPS application (excluding Canada) (PDF: 584 KB)
- CIPS application for Canada (PDF: 1.05 MB)
Please note: If you reside outside of the U.S., you must be a member of a NAR Cooperating Association in order to join the CIPS Network/NAR and earn the designation.
Association Executives
All association staff must attend the half-day (4 hour) Global Programs for Associations course. In addition to the Global Programs for Associations course, you must complete the two core courses as well as three elective courses from those outlined below.
Global Programs for Associations Course
This half-day (4 hour) course provides in-depth education on developing and growing global member programs that will prepare REALTORS® to succeed in a global marketplace. This course is open to association executives, association staff, volunteer leadership, or anyone interested in understanding the value of global programs at his/her association.
Core Courses:
- Global Real Estate: Local Markets (one-day, required core course)
- Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (one-day, required core course)
- Global Programs for Associations (half-day)
Regional Options:
- Europe & International Real Estate (1 day)
- Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate (1 day)
- The Americas & International Real Estate (1 day)
- Africa & International Real Estate (1 day)
OR you can substitute ONE of the below for ONE of the above:
- NAR's At Home With Diversity (1 day)
- NAR's Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist certification course (1 day)
- NAR's Pricing Strategies: Mastering the CMA (1 day)
Application
Upon completion of the courses, fill out and submit the Association Executives CIPS application (PDF: 2.85 MB).
Reactivation Policy for CIPS Designees
US REALTORS®
If you earned the CIPS Designation and you have not paid membership dues in over 5 years you must:
- Retake the CIPS Core Course - Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools
- Take one additional CIPS course (no substitutions of AHWD, RSPS, or PSA course allowed)
- Resubmit the CIPS Designation Application along with appropriate dues and application fee
- Remain active by paying your CIPS dues every year
If you earned the CIPS Designation and your membership has been inactive for a period of 1 to 4 years you must:
- Pay dues for the current quarter and
- Pay a $50 reactivation fee
- Remain active by paying your CIPS dues every year
Canadian REALTORS®
If you earned the CIPS Designation and you have not paid membership dues in over 5 years you must:
- Retake the CIPS Core Course - The Business of US Real Estate
- Retake one additional CIPS course (no substitutions of RSPS or PSA course allowed)
- Resubmit the CIPS Designation Application along with appropriate dues and application fee
- Remain active by paying your CIPS dues every year
If you earned the CIPS Designation and your membership has been inactive for a period of 1 to 4 years you must:
- Pay dues for the current quarter and
- Pay a US$50 reactivation fee
- Remain active by paying your CIPS dues every year
International REALTORS® (excluding Canada)
If you earned the CIPS Designation and you have not paid membership in over 5 years you must:
- Retake the CIPS Core Course – The Business of US Real Estate
- Retake one additional CIPS course (no substitutions of RSPS or PSA course allowed)
- Resubmit the CIPS Designation Application with the application fee
- Remain active by paying your IRM dues every year
If you earned the CIPS Designation and your membership has been inactive for a period of 1 to 4 years you must:
- Pay your CIPS-IRM annuals dues of US $75 for the current year
- Remain active by paying your IRM dues every year