Here are the key benefits of earning the CRS Designation:

• Gaining higher volume of transactions and greater gross sales — CRS Designees earn an average yearly income of $155,896 compared to $39,300 for a REALTOR who is a sales agent.
• Improving efficiencies through use of business planning, effective personal marketing and delegating part of workload to personal assistants.
• Tapping into a network of professionally trained Certified Residential Specialists (CRSs) to give and get referrals to clients.
• Benefiting from the Council of Residential Specialist's body of knowledge: local and national networking opportunities, CRS Courses available in different locations throughout the year.
• Quality-Tested products and services, and bimonthly magazine, The Residential Specialist.

The following options are available to students who wish to earn the CRS Designation. Students should pick the option that best fits their situation.

To maintain the CRS Designation, students are required to join the CRS Council on a yearly basis. Other fees associated with the designation may be applicable.  To learn all the fees and benefits of holding the CRS designation you can call the CRS Council at 800-462-8841 or go to their website at www.crs.com.

You are also encouraged to join the local Iowa CRS Chapter. More information about the Iowa CRS chapter, including an application form, is available at www.iowacrs.com.

Production Requirements:
75 Transaction sides
within any five-year period
- OR -
$25 million
within any five-year period

Education Requirements:
Two Core Courses
(Business Planning & Marketing,
Listings, Sales, Wealth Building,
Technology or Referrals)

Plus 4 units of electives (below)

Production Requirements:
25 Transaction sides
with no time limit
- OR -
$8 million with 10 transactions (or more) within any two-year period

Education Requirements:
Three Core Courses
(Business Planning & Marketing,
Listings, Sales, Wealth Building,
Technology or Referrals)

Plus 4 units of electives (below)

A total of 4 units are needed. Choose from the following:

• Additional CRS Core Course (2 Units per course)
• CRS Approved One-Unit Courses (1 Unit per course, 2 units maximum)
• Attendance at CRS Sell-a-bration (1 unit per conference, 2 units
  maximum)
• Additional Production (1 Unit per submission, 4 units maximum)
• National Association of REALTORS® Courses (1-2 Units per course, 2
  units maximum)
• Distance learning course (1-2 Units per course, 4 units maximum)
• Bachelor’s Degree OR any one of the following Designations or Certifications: ABR, ALC, CPM, CRB, CRES, CCIM, FRI, GRI or e-Pro (2
  Units per item, 2 units maximum)