On Monday, February 26, 2024, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) announced that as of that date they would be making the coursework for the popular Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation course, which is typically $295, available to REALTORS® at no cost.

For those of you who took the course prior to the announcement, whether with NEAR or another association, we are sorry to report that NAR will not be reimbursing for those fees, despite multiple requests from local associations across the country who, like NEAR, were working to be proactive in offering this education option to members.

The ABR® course is the first step toward earning the ABR® designation and focuses on the key information and skills agents need today when working with buyers, including how to:

• Walk buyers through written buyer representation agreements.
• Advocate for their clients’ best interests throughout the transaction.
• Articulate their value to the buyer client.
• Work with data to complete insightful market analyses.
• Explain the range of financing options available to clients.
• Stay on top of emerging trends.
• Build relationships that carry beyond the closing.

Earning the ABR® designation: Taking the two-day ABR® course is the first step in earning this designation, in addition REALTORS® must also:

• Complete one of the ABR® elective courses (You may have this step completed! Elective courses include certifications such as Pricing Strategy Advisor and At Home With Diversity, as well as other designations, like Senior Real Estate Specialist and more. Be sure to view the elective courses list to see what qualifies).
• Work Experience: Documentation of five completed transactions in which you acted solely as a buyer representative.
• Professional Affiliation: Membership in good standing in REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
• Pass the ABR® core designation exam with an 80% or better score (online courses only).
• Submit Application along with documentation of five completed transactions.

Maintaining the ABR® designation:

• While the ABR® coursework is being offered for free through 12/31/2024 and the first year of REBAC membership is free, in order to maintain your designation, you will need to pay annual designation fees of $110 (the second year will be prorated based on the month you joined REBAC).

How can I access the free course?

NAR is offering both live online as well as on-demand courses. See dates and register here: https://become.abr.realtor/

Does the ABR® course offer CE?

The courses offered online with NAR, whether live or self-paced, do not include continuing education. Courses taken by local REALTOR® associations in Massachusetts with an approved instructor are likely to include CE credits. Be sure to ask is not displayed on their registration page(s).