Designations & Certifications
The National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils provide a wide range of programs and services that help members increase their skills, proficiency, and knowledge. Designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by NAR and each affiliated group upon completion of required courses.
Real estate designations and certifications through NAR are specialized credentials for REALTORS®. Both designations and certifications are forms of real estate agent education that require real estate professionals to be active members of NAR. The difference between the two is that a designation requires annual dues, but a certification only requires an application fee without annual dues.
The Coastal Association has a Certification course of their own, the Coastal Area Local Specialist Certification. The Coastal Area Local Specialist (CALS) is an education certification program offered to REALTORS® by the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR). The purpose of the CALS certification is to help real estate professionals distinguish themselves by gaining valuable knowledge, skills and proficiency in unique local real estate issues and acknowledge their experience and expertise in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties in Maryland.
Upcoming classes at CAR:
May 13 and May 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Maryland REALTORS is partnering with local associations in the state to bring you the 2-day Accredited Buyer's Representative Designation course from NAR ABSOLUTELY FREE ($295 value!) LIVE in-person (at MD REALTORS office in Annapolis) and virtual on Zoom options available.
INFORMATION & REGISTRATION HERE
