Frequently Asked Question about the ABR Designation

ABR
Designation

• Why should I earn the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) Designation?

• What are the ABR Designation requirements?

• What courses meet the ABR Designation elective course requirement?

• When can I begin using the ABR® designation/logo in my advertisements and in my representations to the public?

• Do I have to belong to REBAC to earn my ABR Designation?

• What are some of the benefits of belonging to REBAC?

• How do I join REBAC?

• What is the cost of annual REBAC membership?

• Why is my dues invoice less than the cost of one year's dues?

Why should I earn the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Designation?  

Answer:  The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded by the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®, to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. 

In addition, membership in REBAC includes many benefits to help you business grow, keep you up-to-date and networked, with new enhancements added each year.  

What are the ABR Designation requirements?

Answer:  Four (4) requirements must be met to attain and use the ABR designation:  

 1.

Successful completion of the two-day ABR Designation Course, including an 80% passing grade on the exam.  

2.

3.

• Copy of the signed buyer agency agreement OR purchase/sale agreement OR disclosure.  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 verifying that each transaction closed.

4.

What courses meet the ABR Designation elective course requirement?

Answer: Click on the link for a list of the ABR Designation elective courses.

When can I begin using the ABR logo in my advertisements/representations to the public?

Answer:  Only REALTORS who have met all ABR Designation requirements and have been awarded the ABR Designation are permitted to call themselves an ABR designee and use the ABR logo.

Although you cannot use the ABR® designation until it has been awarded to you, membership in REBAC begins when you complete the ABR® Designation course.

Do I have to belong to REBAC to earn my ABR Designation?

Answer: To earn and maintain the ABR Designation, you must be a member in good standing with the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council and  the National Association of REALTORS.

Failure to maintain membership with REBAC for five years or longer will result in having to repeat all the ABR requirements. Certain situations will be considered if we are notified prior to your absence and it is noted in your record.

If your REBAC membership should lapse, a $50 reactivation fee will be assessed, in addition to a pro-ration of the current year's membership.  This policy applies to members who have fulfilled the ABR designation requirements and who have paid their REBAC membership dues within a five year time-frame.

Answer: With new enhancements made each year, REBAC benefits are designed to keep members well informed, and to help their businesses prosper. 

Membership in REBAC provides benefits that are designed to  keep you abreast of management and marketing trends in the real estate industry, and on top of current legal and legislative issues.  You also profit by being part of a larger network of experienced buyer representatives who willingly share practical advice with one another.  Membership allows you to attain and maintain the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and Accredited Buyer Representative Manager (ABRM^sm) designations, the benchmarks of excellence in buyer representation" and the only buyer representative designations recognized by NAR. 

For a complete list of member benefits, visit REBAC's website page, Benefits of Membership.

How do I join REBAC?

Answer: The only way to join REBAC is by successfully completing the ABR Designation Course, for  which you will receive one year free membership in REBAC.  Your first membership invoice will be sent  in November/December and will only cover the months remaining in the calendar year after your free membership expired, bringing your billing into a calendar year billing cycle.

What is the cost of annual REBAC membership?

Answer: REBAC annual membership dues are $110.00. Your first year's membership in REBAC is included free with successful completion of the ABR® Designation Course.  Dues are billed annually, with your first dues invoice pro-rated to bring your membership to a calendar billing cycle. .

Why is my dues invoice less than the cost of one year's dues?

Answer: REBAC membership dues are billed in November and are due on January 1st.

If your dues invoice is for less than $110, that means you took the ABR® Designation Course sometime after January in the preceding year and the free one-year membership you received after completing the course began at that time. The amount you were billed covers the months remaining in the calendar year after your free membership expired, bringing your billing into a calendar year billing cycle.

For example: If you took the class in May, 2003, your first year's (free) membership ends on May 30, 2004. Because dues are billed at the end of the year, you will be billed in November/December, 2004 for the months remaining in 2004 after your first year's membership expires--from  June 1, 2004 to  December 31, 2004.