The Council of Residential Specialists is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®, with its headquarters in Chicago, Ill. It is composed of nearly 40,000 Certified Residential Specialists (CRS) Designees and Candidates/General Members. The association was created to attract and retain those REALTORS^® seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities needed to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate.

The Council was founded in 1976 and has four objectives:

• To enhance members' continuing competence through providing superior educational opportunities in a cost-effective manner.
• To provide and promote benefits which enhance the economic value of membership in the Council.
• To create and maintain organizational systems and alliances with appropriate organizations to ensure the integrity of the Council.
• To create and maintain procedures to ensure a standard of excellence that is required for earning the CRS Designation.

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation is the professional Designation offered by the Council of Residential Specialists. The CRS Designation is the highest professional designation awarded to REALTORS^® in the residential sales field. Fewer than 5 percent of all REALTORS^® hold the CRS Designation.

1. Become a member of the Council of Residential Specialists by completing the membership application if you have not already done so.

2. Submit your documentation satisfying all Designation Requirements.

   Council members who submit a Designation application with all required documentation will be awarded the CRS Designation within five business days.

   Individuals applying for membership and Designation simultaneously will receive a notice within 10 business days that all necessary documentation has been received and the applicant has been awarded the CRS Designation.

   If the documentation is incomplete, the notice will indicate the documents necessary to complete the Designation application process.

3. Maintain ongoing active membership in the Council of Residential Specialists and REALTOR^® or REALTOR ASSOCIATE^® membership in your local board or state association.

Effective January 1, 2003, the Council adopted the following set of Designation Requirements.

Under the new requirements sales volume, as well as number of transactions, will be applicable toward earning the CRS Designation. Other modifications such as credit for selecting one-day courses and distance learning have also been made. These changes make the CRS Designation more attainable for REALTORS^® without compromising its prestige in the residential real estate community.

There are two options to choose from. Choose the option that matches your level of experience.

OPTION 1 Education Any four different CRS two-day Courses You may use up to two CRS Approved distance-learning courses. In addition, you may use two CRS Approved one-day courses for credit in place of one CRS two-day course Course Substitutions You may substitute one of the following for one CRS two-day course. Bachelor's Degree Any one of the following designations: ABR, ALC, CCIM, CIPS, CPM, CRB, CRES, FRI, and GRI e-PRO Certification Production Either a total of 75 transactions within any five-year period OR $25 million within any five-year period.

OPTION 2 Education Any five different CRS two-day Courses You may use up to two CRS Approved distance-learning courses. In addition, you may use two CRS Approved one-day courses for credit in place of one CRS two-day course. Course Substitutions You may substitute one of the following for one two-day CRS Course. Bachelor's Degree Any one of the following designations: ABR, ALC, CCIM, CIPS, CPM, CRB, CRES, FRI, and GRI e-PRO Certification Production Either a total of 25 transactions within any two-year period OR $8 million with a minimum of 10 transactions within any two-year period.

Approved distance-learning, CRS Approved one-day courses and additional substitutions will be listed at www.crs.com.

All Designation programs require membership in the Council of Residential Specialists.

All members are required to maintain active REALTOR^® or REALTOR ASSOCIATE^® membership with their local board or state association.

A $75 processing fee applies to all designation applications.

There are no exceptions to the requirements stated above.

To see when GCAAR is presenting CRS classes, please see our education schedule.