What Most Realtors® Don't Know About Continuing Education

As a Realtor®, I thought continuing education was something I needed to do every license cycle to stay active. Take a class. Earn the credit. Renew the license.

Like many new agents, I saw continuing education as a requirement, not an opportunity. But what I didn’t know is that a lot of education programs can do a lot of things at the same time.

In fact, many Realtors spend years paying for separate classes, not realizing they may already be earning credit for designations, certifications, broker licensing requirements, and continuing education at the same time.

Requirements vary by state, but there are often opportunities to make a lot more than just checking a box for license renewal from a class. Here are some education opportunities most Realtors don't use.

GRI May Count Towards Continuing Education. The Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is one of the most respected educational programs available to Realtors. Real Estate Agents who know about the GRI designation understand it can make them more knowledgeable and credible, but few know that GRI coursework usually qualifies for continuing education credit.

Depending on state requirements, some portions of the program may also satisfy post-licensing or broker licensing education requirements. Realtors may be able to work toward a professional designation and satisfy licensing requirements at the same time instead of taking a generic CE class.

ABR, SFR, PSA, MRP, and Other Designations may provide. Realtors believe the designation courses are completely separate from continuing education. That is not always the case.

With approval by the state, continuing education credit may be given for courses such as Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR), Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Military Relocation Professional (MRP), and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), while assisting Realtors in earning professional credentials. This can create tremendous value for Realtors looking to improve their skills while meeting licensing requirements.

Broker Licensing Education Might Overlap. Many Realtors eventually go on to get their broker license. Some discover that some designation coursework can also satisfy portions of broker licensing education requirements in their state.

Rules vary widely from state to state, so it’s worth doing some research before you sign up for classes. With a little planning, duplicate coursework can be eliminated, and Realtors can move faster toward future career goals.

Florida

Many Florida Realtors are surprised to learn that they can take classes through Realtor associations they do not belong to. A Daytona Beach Realtor could attend a class in Orlando. An Orlando Realtor can take a class in Tampa. A Tampa Realtor can take a class in Jax. Membership in that local association is not always required, although a fee may be charged to non-members. This unlocks a much larger education catalog than most Realtors realize.

State Realtor Associations Provide Extensive Educational Libraries. A lot of State Realtor association members don't take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.

Courses often include contracts, Fair Housing, ethics, technology, social media, commercial real estate, property management, and other specialty subjects. Many are available online, which is convenient for busy Realtors. You can complete multiple credentials at the same time.

One course could potentially offer:

• • Continuing education credit
  • Credit for designation
  • Education credit for broker license
  • Professional growth

This method can be cost-effective and time-saving, and will allow Realtors to develop stronger resumes and more specialized knowledge.

Continuing Education: Common Mistakes Realtors Make

• • Taking classes solely for CE credit
  • Delaying designation coursework
  • Taking classes only through a local association
  • Waiting until the last minute to complete requirements
  • Failing to track progress toward future credentials

An Important Question for Every Realtor. Before you enroll in any class, ask yourself one simple question:

Does this class serve any other purpose? This answer could save you time, money, and extra classes. You may find that a designation you’ve been considering already meets continuing education requirements. You might be surprised how close you are to your broker licensing goals. You also may find that your association offers free classes that do many things at once.

The Costliest Education Mistake

Maybe the biggest mistake is to think of continuing education as just a licensing requirement. The most effective Realtors strategically use education.

Instead of asking, "How can I get my CE done as fast as possible?" they ask, "How do I earn CE while making my business better, growing my expertise, and developing credentials that help me to stand out? That simple shift in thinking can change the value of every class you take drastically.

Before enrolling in that next course, ask if it applies toward a designation, certification, broker licensing requirement or other professional goal. You're probably closer to your next credential than you think.

*I offer a checklist/handout for more information, e-mail me if you’d like a copy