Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) — Requirements, Cost & Value
Experienced residential producers. Issued by Residential Real Estate Council (RRC), an NAR affiliate.
Last updated
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a real estate credential issued by Residential Real Estate Council (RRC), an NAR affiliate. Active REALTOR® membership plus one of several qualifying paths combining years licensed, transaction volume and required education credits. The issuer positions CRS as the highest designation awarded to residential sales agents, with a national referral network attached.
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is one of the credentials a licensed agent can add to sharpen a specialty and win listings against less-qualified competition. This page covers who issues it, what it takes to earn it, what it costs and whether it is worth the time.
ONE Terminus is an independent Realty ONE Group brokerage in Greater Atlanta. We are not the issuing body for this credential; we publish this reference because designations only pay off when the brokerage behind them lets you keep the production they generate.
Who it is for
Experienced residential producers.
- Issuing body: Residential Real Estate Council (RRC), an NAR affiliate
- Official site: https://www.crs.com/
How to earn it
Active REALTOR® membership plus one of several qualifying paths combining years licensed, transaction volume and required education credits.
What it costs and how it renews
Education and application fees vary by qualification path.
Annual RRC membership dues are required to hold and use the designation.
Verify pricing with the issuing body before you enroll — course tuition and application fees are updated regularly.
Is it worth it?
The issuer positions CRS as the highest designation awarded to residential sales agents, with a national referral network attached.
A credential earns its keep when it changes what you can charge or who will hire you. At ONE Terminus you keep 100% of your commission on a flat membership, so the production a designation creates stays with the agent who earned it instead of funding a split.
Common Questions
Who issues the CRS credential?
Residential Real Estate Council (RRC), an NAR affiliate. Official site: https://www.crs.com/
What are the CRS requirements?
Active REALTOR® membership plus one of several qualifying paths combining years licensed, transaction volume and required education credits.
How much does CRS cost?
Education and application fees vary by qualification path. Annual RRC membership dues are required to hold and use the designation.
Is CRS worth it for a Georgia agent?
The issuer positions CRS as the highest designation awarded to residential sales agents, with a national referral network attached. ONE Terminus members in Greater Atlanta pursue credentials like this while keeping 100% of their commission on a flat monthly membership.
Dues, fees and course requirements change. Everything here is compiled from each organization's own published material and is provided for orientation only — confirm current numbers directly with the organization before you enroll or apply. Official source: https://www.crs.com/. ONE Terminus is an independent Realty ONE Group brokerage and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking on behalf of Certified Residential Specialist (CRS).
Talk to ONE Terminus
Licensed Georgia REALTORS: send your details and a ONE Terminus leader responds within one business day with membership options, fee math, and a transfer checklist.