Professional Development

Designations & Certifications

Designations and certifications are distinctions awarded to Realtors® who pursue advanced training in a wide range of real estate skills and specializations. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) offers 24 distinct designations, including the prestigious Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), which is offered exclusively by Minnesota Realtors®.

Realtors® who achieve designations and certifications are more knowledgeable, provide better customer service, and win more long-term loyalty from customers than agents without accreditations. They also earn significantly more money.

Minnesota Realtors® offers classroom and online training for agents ready to take the next step in their career by earning designations. Offerings include the GRI and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS).

Be sure to check out the Center for Realtor® Development, which offers many online courses that count towards a designation or certification. NAR provides and its partners provide training for Realtors® to earn designations in 24 different areas of skills and knowledge. Learn more about each of these certifications by visiting Designations & Certifications on NAR's website.

List of Designations & Certifications

  • ABR: Accredited Buyer’s Representative
  • ALC: Accredited Land Consultant
  • CCIM: Certified Commercial Investment Member
  • CIPS: Certified International Property Specialist
  • CPM: Certified Property Manager
  • CRB: Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager
  • CRS: Certified Residential Specialist
  • CRE: Counselor of Real Estate
  • GAA: General Accredited Appraiser
  • GREEN: NAR’s Green Designation
  • GRI: Graduate, Realtor® Institute (administered exclusively by Minnesota Realtors in Minnesota)
  • PMN: Performance Management Network
  • RCE: Realtor® Association Certified Executive
  • RAA: Resident Accredited Appraiser
  • SRS: Seller Representative Specialist
  • SIOR: Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®
  • SRES: Seniors Real Estate Specialist
  • AHWD: At Home with Diversity
  • BPOR: Broker Price Opinion Resource
  • C-RETS: Certified Real Estate Team Specialist
  • DMSM: Digital Marketing: Social Media
  • e-PRO: Digital Marketing
  • MRP: Military Relocation Professional
  • PSA: Pricing Strategy Advisor
  • RENE: Real Estate Negotiation Expert
  • RSPS: Resort & Second Home Property Specialist
  • SFR: Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource
  • SMART: Smart Home 
Jim Camarata Headshot

A designation is a concerted, focused effort to learn more about your profession. It provides us with a competitive edge and makes us better Realtors®

Realtor® Jim Camarata, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, RFC, SRES
Wayzata

C2EX Endorsement

The National Association of Realtors® C2EX (Commitment to Excellence) is a professional endorsement program for Realtors® that’s free of charge and designed to amp up your career.

Why should you get your C2EX?

It’s a way to showcase your commitment to excellence in real estate, advocate for a brighter future, and let your clients know you’re a pro’s pro. C2EX is self-paced and can be customized to fit your priorities for growth. Plus, members who earn the endorsement will satisfy their Code of Ethics training requirement*.

How do you get started with yourC2EX endorsement?

C2EX is now only accessible through a mobile app. You can learn more and download the app at www.nar.realtor/realtors-commitment-to-excellence. Available for both Apple and Android.

*Please note: The C2EX endorsement does not qualify for continuing education credit.

2023 C2EX Recipients

Name  Brokerage
Lacey Aalderks RE/MAX Preferred Realty
Darnisha Adams eXp Realty
Lorrie Adams Homes Plus Realty
Adade Amenounve United Realty LLC
Christopher Anderson Bridge Realty, LLC
John Anderson Twin Oaks Realty, Inc
Matt Anderson Prospect Realty, LLC
Layne Augustin Premier Real Estate Services
Amy Barrett Real Broker, LLC
Budd Batterson Edina Realty, Inc.
Jennifer Bauer Edina Realty, Inc.
Mary Beck Realty Executives Top Results
LeRoy Bendickson Edina Realty, Inc.
Laura Berger Coldwell Banker Realty
Danielle Bickham Pelton Cardinal Realty Co.
Kristine Biessener Edina Realty, Inc.
Vicky Biren The Biren Realty Group
Susan Blumhoefer WEST CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF RE
Teresa Boardman Boardman Realty
Carolyn Brooks RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Kathryn Bushman Keller Williams Classic Rlty N
Jason Cassel Berkshire Hathaway HomeService
Tracy Cherney eXp Realty
Karen Chopp Coldwell Banker Realty
Joann Cilliers EXIT Realty Metro
Robert Clark Lynskey Real Estate
Comfort Clarke COMFORTHOMES
Colleena Coleman Global Star Realty, LLC
James Cormier Building Sites, Inc.
Christopher Cousins Viking Real Estate
Stacy Cranbrook Edina Realty, Inc.
Kimberly Culbert-Blaeser Culbert Realty Inc
Colleen Danford Cardinal Realty Co.
James Dattalo Edina Realty, Inc.
Maranda DeSanto LAKE SUPERIOR AREA REALTORS® I
Katrina Dewit Engel & Volkers Minneapolis Do
Emily Doherty Coldwell Banker Realty
Naya Dubanaeva Real Estate Masters, Ltd.
Denise Ducart Coldwell Banker Realty
Madeline Dusek Edina Realty, Inc. - Duluth
Donis Dzialo Edina Realty, Inc.
Ginger Eckman Coldwell Banker Realty
Victoria Edick Reliance Realty Advisers, LLC
Patricia Fitzpatrick Coldwell Banker Realty
Tracie Fogelson Coldwell Banker River Valley,
Erica Forman Minnesota Realtors®
Stuart Francis eXp Realty
Monica Fry eXp Realty
Jackeline Funk BrBaGa
Charlene Gafkjen EXIT Realty Nexus
Jenna Galegher Windseeker Realty
Elba Garza Guile Keller Williams Integrity RE
Melissa Geis Re/Max Advantage Plus
Michaela Gile Twin Cities Homes Realty
Kelli Gillispie-Coen Realty Executives Associates
Erik Goettl Keller Williams Premier Realty
Rebekah Gran Edina Realty, Inc.
Emily Green Sandy Green Realty, Inc.
Debra Greene Coldwell Banker Realty
Rick Gruebele Visions First Realty, LLC
Derrick Guevremont Counselor Realty of Rochester
Danielle Haas Minnesota Lands and Homes Real
James Hamling Renters Warehouse
Kathryn Hammerseng Edina Realty, Inc.
Ronald Hanson TruHomes Realty LLC
Daniel Hegberg Admiral Realty
Tricia Henchen Regional Multiple Listing Serv
Bradley Hetland Keller Williams Premier Realty
Stacy Hollmann Better Homes and Gardens Real
Steven Hong RE/MAX Results
Melissa Hoover Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors
Frank Hough Minnesota First Realty
Patrick Howard Edina Realty, Inc.
Adam Howell Coldwell Banker Realty
Ann Huddock eXp Realty
Michelle Ioppolo Edina Realty, Inc.
Julia Lashay Israel Keller Williams Integrity Real
Susan Jackson RE/MAX Results
Lauren Janoski Coldwell Banker Realty
Tiffany Jensen Coldwell Banker Realty
Jay Jewson Weichert, Realtors - Jewson Pr
Nora Job Edina Realty, Inc.
Brandon Johnson Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors
LaTasha Johnson Keller Williams Classic Realty
Linda Johnson Coldwell Banker Realty
Joe Jones RE/MAX Results
Paige Kahle The Real Estate Collaborative
Sonia Kannegiesser-Boser Prairie Real Estate
Jacqueline Karlson Positive Realty
Samantha Kaul CENTURY 21 Atwood
Amanat Kempainen Coldwell Banker Realty
Patrick Kenny Realty Group LLC
Claire Killen Emerald Real Estate
Douglas Kman Coldwell Banker Realty
Peggy Kman Coldwell Banker Realty
Anthony Koop Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors
MaraLynn Kubacki Realty ONE Group Choice
Catherine Kuria Express Realty LLC
Christine Lambertson Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors
Breanne Larson Edina Realty, Inc.
Connie Larson The Realty Pros
Bradley Lasser Edina Realty, Inc.
Brianne Lawrence Edge Real Estate Services
Charles LeFebvre Coldwell Banker Realty
LeeAnn Lehto Lakes Sotheby's International
Karen Lindemoen Coldwell Banker Realty
Mary Lindgren RE/MAX Results - Austin
Julie Listrom eXp Realty
Victoria Litteral Your Home Sold Guaranteed Real
Jennifer Livingston Cardinal Realty Co.
Molly Loe eXp Realty
Meghan Lowe Edina Realty, Inc.
Cheryl Lustig CENTURY 21 Atwood
Michelle Lyons Port Cities Realty, LLC
Terri Lyytinen Regional Realty
Wendy Lyytinen Regional Realty
Anna Magaard Century 21 Moline Realty Inc
Patrick Manning National Realty Guild
Sarah Marrinan Engel & Volkers Minneapolis Do
Adriana Martinez Coldwell Banker Realty
Jennifer Martinson EXIT Realty Bemidji
Nene Matey Keke Compass
Dolly Matten GREATER LAKES ASSN OF REALTORS
Denise Mazone Mazone Real Estate Group, Inc
Steve McConnell Keller Williams Classic Rlty-D
Diane McCormick Expressions Realty, Inc
Josh McFall Minnesota Realtors®
Mary Merrick Fieldstone Real Estate Special
Reanne Meyer EXIT Realty - Great Plains
Deborah Miller Coldwell Banker Realty
Gayle Miller Counselor Realty, Inc.
Jason Miller Premier Real Estate Services
Joshua Moberg CENTURY 21 Atwood
Stephanie Montpetit Keller Williams Classic Realty
Brendan Mooney Your Next Place Real Estate
Jerome Moscowitz RE/MAX Results
Joseph Mueller RE/MAX Results
Eric Myers MINNEAPOLIS AREA ASSOCIATION O
Maria Nelson Edina Realty, Inc.
Lonnie Ness RE/MAX Select, Inc.
Shaina  Nickila Coldwell Banker Realty
Debra Niemeyer Coldwell Banker Realty
Kara Nosal Keller Williams Classic Rlty N
Justin Novak Better Homes and Gardens Real
Andrew O'Neil Midwest Management Incorporate
Shantelle Odegard RE/MAX Results
Deborah Ogren True Real Estate
Marty Olson Fox Real Estate Group
Virginia Palmer Coldwell Banker North Shore
Kristin Parker St Paul Area Assoc of REALTORS
Kimm Pastrana Good Move Realty
Patrick Paulson Great Minneapolis Real Estate
Alexis Peters Counselor Realty Detroit Lakes
Colten Petersen Petersen-Properties.com
Amy Peterson Edina Realty, Inc.
Miranda Peterson Century 21 Brainerd Realty
Mary Ponce de Leon Real Estate Masters, Ltd.
Lee Porter EXIT Realty - Great Plains
Pamela Potter Coldwell Banker Realty
Jacqueline Pozorski Edina Realty, Inc.
Sherri Puckett North Point Realty
Paula Quinn eXp Realty
Michael RE/MAX Results - Superior
Julian Rasmusson z'Up North Realty, Inc.
Cheryl Retterath Berkshire Hathaway HomeService
Pamela Rezac Edina Realty, Inc.
Sheri Richards St Paul Area Assoc of REALTORS
Katie Robinson Coldwell Banker Realty
Christine Rocheford EXIT Realty Nexus
Roberto Rodriguez Midwest Homes
Pauline Rohrman Bridge Realty, LLC
Shayna Romich-Petron Headwaters Realty Services LLC
Brent Russell Nokomis Realty
Elizabeth Sandwick Coldwell Banker Realty
Leonard Sarvela Real Estate Masters - Duluth
Sara Schafhauser-Wright Grand Properties
Ryan Scheldrup Coldwell Banker Realty
Kelly Schepers Premier Real Estate Services
Cheryl Schopf RE/MAX Results
Steven Schrunk Kelly's Diamond Realty LLC
Paul Sigurdson Engel & Volkers Minneapolis No
Donald Sinnwell Twin City Homes
John Smaby Edina Realty, Inc.
Linda Smaby Edina Realty, Inc.
Janice Smith Edina Realty, Inc.
Sally Snyder Coldwell Banker Realty
Nicko Spehn Coldwell Banker Realty
Jenny Stahlbusch Think Minnesota Realty LLC
Karen Stang Carriage Realty, Inc.
Corey Stittsworth Grimes Realty
Dave Strunk RE/MAX Results
Tony Svien Keller Williams Classic Rlty N
Jason Tangen Shrewd Real Estate
Jerry Teeson Teeson Real Estate, LLC
Mohammed Thamer Edina Realty, Inc.
Geri Theis Scenic City Realty, LLC
Michelle Tighe Weichert, Realtors-Integrity
Amber Trapp Opendoor Brokerage, LLC
Kelly Travis St Cloud Area Assn of REALTORS
Jeffrey Urbaniak North Point Realty
Michael VanGrinsven Re/Max Prodigy
Colin Voerding Coldwell Banker Realty
Gabe Walsh LAKE SUPERIOR AREA REALTORS® I
Bradley Weber AA Realty
Sheena Whitlock Edina Realty, Inc.
Charles Williams Edina Realty, Inc.
Melanie Willy Edina Realty, Inc.
Katherine Ziemke Realty Group LLC
Andrea Zupancich z'Up North Realty, Inc.
Patricia Zuzek Fieldstone Real Estate Special