The ABR® Designation: For Real Estate Buyer Agents
 

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients. When you decide to earn your ABR®, you gain:

• Valuable real estate education that elevates your skills and knowledge in the eyes of homebuyers.
• Ongoing specialized information, programs and updates that help you stay on top of the issues and trends in successfully representing homebuyers.
• Access to REBAC members-only marketing tools and resources, which provide an additional competitive edge.

ABR® designation requirements are listed below

REBAC also awards the Accredited Buyer’s Representative Manager (ABRM^SM) designation for real estate brokers, owners and office managers. 

How to Get Your ABR®: Designation Requirements
 

The path towards becoming an ABR® begins by taking the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course. After you complete this course, you will automatically become a member of REBAC for one year—free! You’ll then be able to access many of our member benefits and work towards completing your remaining ABR® designation requirements, which are listed below.

For additional details, see frequently asked questions. You can also contact REBAC by e-mail or call 1-800-648-6224.

Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation Requirements

To obtain and use the ABR® designation, you must complete all four (4) requirements:

1. Successful completion of the two-day Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course, including an 80 percent passing grade on the exam. After you complete this course you will have three (3) years in which to complete the other ABR® designation requirements.
2. Successful completion of one of the ABR® elective courses, including an 80 percent passing grade on the exam. This course may be taken prior to completing the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course.
3. Documentation verifying five (5) completed transactions in which you acted solely as a buyer representative (no dual agency). Any transactions closed prior to taking the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course or closed within three years after completing the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course are eligible for credit. Documentation necessary for each of your five (5) completed transactions:
   • Copy of the signed buyer agency agreement OR purchase/sale agreement OR disclosure statement. The contract must verify the agent's name and/or include the agent's signature as the buyer's agent. Providing only the name and/or signature of the buyer's agent's broker is not sufficient.
     AND
   • Copy of the closing/settlement statement or letter from your broker verifying that each transaction closed.
4. Maintain active and good membership status in the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) and the National Association of REALTORS®. Exception: International members of REBAC do not have to be members of NAR.

Important Notes: All requirements must be completed within three years of passing the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR® ) Designation Course. Only REALTORS® who meet all these requirements and have been officially awarded the ABR® designation are permitted to call themselves an ABR® and use the ABR® logo.

Administrative ABR®

REBAC also awards an Administrative ABR® designation to REBAC members who do not buy or sell real estate and do not have a real estate license, but work in administrative capacities to assist in their office’s buyer-representation business.
To receive the Administrative ABR®, a member must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Membership in good standing with REBAC.
2. Successful completion of the two-day Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course, including an 80 percent passing grade on the exam.
3. Successful completion of one of the ABR® elective courses, including an 80 percent passing grade on the exam. This course may be taken prior to completing the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course, but must be taken within three years of passing the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation Course.
4. Submit a completed ABR® application, leaving the transaction section blank.
5. Submit a letter requesting candidacy for the Administrative ABR® and stating that the applicant:
   • does not sell or buy real estate; and,
   • performs administrative duties for the buyer representatives in their office, verified by the broker.

Note: To change you status from Administrative ABR® to ABR®, you must resubmit an application after all the ABR® designation requirements have been met