Is Getting the ABR Real Estate Designation in 2023 Worth It?

If you’re a real estate agent, it’s important to be familiar with all of the different designations and certifications that are available. One such designation is the ABR Real Estate Designation course (also known as the Accredited Buyer’s Representative).

Let’s take a closer look at how taking the ABR real estate designation course can help you in your real estate career. We’ll cover what this real estate designation means, the ABR course requirements, how much it costs, and go through an in-depth series of ABR frequently asked questions.

Ultimately, this ABR designation review is intended to help you decide if the ABR Designation is right for you! If you are planning to get the ABR or have already taken the ABR course, we would love to hear your feedback on the course and if you think the ABR designation was worth it to you! Let’s get started…

An ABR Real Estate Designation Overview

A real estate agent who has earned the ABR designation, or Accredited Buyer’s Representative, is someone who specializes in working with buyers. They have taken extra coursework and testing to learn about the home-buying process and how to best represent buyers’ interests.

The ABR designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) to real estate agents who complete an approved course and pass an exam.

To maintain their certification, ABRs must complete continuing education courses every two years. The goal of the ABR designation is to help buyers find qualified professionals who can represent their interests during the home.

What Is The ABR Designation Course Requirements and Objectives?

With a dynamic real estate market, it is important to understand and demonstrate your value as an agent to today’s buyers.

The two-day online-based ABR designation course will provide you with the skills needed for success in today’s real estate environment by helping home buyers find the right property, at the right price in both a buyer’s and seller’s real estate market.

To Become an ABR Designee, You Need To:

1. Complete the main ABR designation course with a passing grade.
   
2. Complete one ABR elective course. The great news is that you get to pick from several options which can also earn you another real estate designation! See our list below.
   
3. Submit the required transaction documentation. You will need to send them proof of 5 completed real estate transactions in which you acted as the sole buyer representative.
   
   These 5 required transactions can include any closed before to taking the ABR real estate designation course or any transactions closed within 3 years after completing the ABR Course.
   
   You’ll be sending them a copy of the signed buyer agency agreement, the purchase/sale agreement or the disclosure. The real estate contract must verify the real estate agent’s name and/or include your signature as the buyer’s agent. You will also need to send them a copy of the closing statement showing that each real estate transaction has closed.
   
4. Lastly, you need to be in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS.

As you can see, you need to be an active agent selling a few homes before you can get your ABR designation. We think this transaction minimum is a good thing as it’s better to have a least a few sales under your belt (5 in this case) before one should be considered a buyer expert.

What Elective Courses Can I Take To Get The ABR Designee?

Below is a list of some of the best ABR elective courses. There are even a few more electives you can choose from (get the full list) but these are the most popular choices:

At Home with Diversity – AHWD Course

Certified International Property Specialist – CIPS

e-PRO Certification

Military Relocation Professional – MRP Certification Course

National Association of REALTOR’S Green Designation

Pricing Strategy Advisor – PSA Certification Course

Real Estate Negotiation Expert – RENE Designation Course

Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist – RSPS Certification Course

Seller Representative Specialist – SRS Designation Course

Seniors Real Estate Specialist – SRES Designation Course

Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource – SFR Certification Course

As an added bonus, you’ll also earn up to 12 real estate continuing education hours for getting the ABR which we’ll discuss more below!

Here is a video overview of why you should consider getting your ABR designation:

How Long Do I Have To Complete the ABR Designation Course?

For most U.S. states, you will have a full 12 months to complete the ABR designation course. There are a couple of exceptions to this course expiration timeline and this includes the states of Iowa, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. Here is more detail on those states:

Iowa: You will have six months to complete the ABR Course in order to qualify for the CE credit.
DC: You will have three months to complete the ABR Course in order to qualify for the CE credit.
North Carolina: As of the time of this article you will have just 30 days to complete the ABR Course in order to qualify for the CE credit. I’m not sure of the rationale for such a quick timeline for NC as opposed to almost all other states that give up to 12 months.
Oklahoma: You will have six months to complete the ABR Course in order to qualify for the CE credit.

Most agents should be able to complete the ABR course within a week or two so in most cases, you should have well more than enough time.

If I Take The ABR Designation Course, Do I Also Get Continued Education Credits?

Great question. As of early 2022, taking the ABR designation course will earn you 12 hours of CE credit in all U.S. states except Arizona, Arkansas, California, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

You can still take the ABR course and get this designation in the excluded states above but you will not receive any hourly real estate continued education credits.

How Many Attempts Do I Have To Pass The ABR Designation Course Final Exam?

Almost all states give you unlimited attempts to pass the ABR designation course exam in order to also qualify for CE credits. Some notable exceptions include Florida which allows just 1 attempt. Idaho and Illinois both allow just two attempts.

What Pass Rate Exam Score is Required on the ABR Designation Course Final Exam?

The required ABR designation course passing score varies by state. You’ll need to pass the ABR final exams in order to qualify for continuing education credits.

The lowest allowed ABR designation pass rate needed is 70% in states such as Alaska, Maryland, Minnesota, and Mississippi among a few others. The highest required ABR exam pass rates are in Iowa and Kansas where you’ll need a 90% passing score to qualify for CE credits.

See below to find the specific ABR Real Estate designation pass rate required in your state:

• Alabama
  The required Alabama ABR Exam Pass Rate is unknown. The ABR course website shows a listed 0% pass rate needed (course provider update needed). You get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Alaska
  The required Alaska ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Arizona
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Arizona.
• Arkansas
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Arkansas.
• California
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in California.
• Colorado
  The required Colorado ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Connecticut
  The required Connecticut ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 6 real estate CE hours.
• Delaware
  The required Delaware ABR Exam Pass Rate is 80% to get 3 real estate CE hours.
• Florida
  The required Florida ABR Exam Pass Rate is 80% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Georgia
  The required Georgia ABR Exam Pass Rate is unknown. The ABR course website shows a listed 0% pass rate needed (course provider update needed). You get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Hawaii
  The required Hawaii ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Idaho
  The required Idaho ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Illinois
  The required Illinois ABR Exam Pass Rate is unknown. The ABR course website shows a listed 0% pass rate needed (course provider update needed). You get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Indiana
  The required Indiana ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Iowa
  The required Indiana ABR Exam Pass Rate is 90% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Kansas
  The required Indiana ABR Exam Pass Rate is 90% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Kentucky
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Kentucky.
• Louisiana
  The required Louisiana ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Maine
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Maine.
• Maryland
  The required Maryland ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 6 real estate CE hours.
• Massachusetts
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Massachusetts.
• Michigan
  The required Michigan ABR Exam Pass Rate is unknown. The ABR course website shows a listed 0% pass rate needed (course provider update needed). You get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Minnesota
  The required Minnesota ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Mississippi
  The required Mississippi ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Missouri
  The required Missouri ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 9 real estate CE hours.
• Montana
  The required Montana ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Nebraska
  The required Nebraska ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Nevada
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Nevada.
• New Hampshire
  The required New Hampshire ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• New Jersey
  The required New Jersey ABR Exam Pass Rate is unknown. The ABR course website shows a listed 0% pass rate needed (course provider update needed). You get 12 real estate CE hours.
• New Mexico
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in New Mexico.
• New York
  The required New York ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• North Carolina
  The required North Carolina ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 4 real estate CE hours.
• North Dakota
  The required North Dakota ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Ohio
  The required Ohio ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Oklahoma
  The required Oklahoma ABR Exam Pass Rate is 80% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Oregon
  The required Oregon ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Pennsylvania
  The required Pennsylvania ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Rhode Island
  The required Rhode Island ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• South Carolina
  The required South Carolina ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• South Dakota
  The required South Dakota ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Tennessee
  The required Tennessee ABR Exam Pass Rate is unknown. The ABR course website shows a listed 0% pass rate needed (course provider update needed). You get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Texas
  The required Texas ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Utah
  The required Utah ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Vermont
  The required Vermont ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Virginia
  The required Virginia ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• Washington
  The required Washington ABR Exam Pass Rate is 70% to get 12 real estate CE hours.
• West Virginia
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in West Virginia.
• Wisconsin
  No CE Credits are given for the ABR designation course in Wisconsin.
• Wyoming
  The required Vermont ABR Exam Pass Rate is 75% to get 12 real estate CE hours.

How Much Does the ABR Designation Cost?

The ABR Designation course is currently priced at $295.00 for NAR members.

In many cases, you are going to have to complete some continued education classes anyway so you might as well work towards a new real estate designation at the same time

Is There an ABR Designation Course Discount?

National Association of REALTORS (NAR) members can get a significant discount on the ABR designation Course. Members pay $295 vs the Non-members cost of $590.

Is Getting the ABR Designation Worth it?

Yes, the ABR designation is absolutely worth it. We can’t say the same for every real estate designation but the Accredited Buyer’s Representative has a better cost vs benefit than most.

You Can Take The ABR Real Estate Designation Course Here