Professional Development

Central to the purpose of our Association is providing education for our members and community. Specifically, we educate members in areas of geographic competence geo-specific to Williamson County, Texas, in line with professional life-cycles of REALTORS® and pertinent to the real estate industry.

What is the REALTOR® life-cycle? Through research, Williamson County REALTORS® has compiled an example of a REALTOR’S® life cycle. The education opportunities we offer are held with the intent of expanding the tenure of members.

Current Course Offerings

CE Class Expectations

WC Specialist Designation

Designations and Certifications

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation from the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council helps prepare real estate professionals to represent buyer clients in residential real estate transactions and provide the quality of service and degree of fidelity to buyers that sellers have customarily enjoyed. It also offers ideas and methods for building a buyer representation business and tools for conducting buyer counseling sessions.

Accredited Land Consultants (ALCs) aren’t just land sales professionals, they are the most prestigious, the most experienced, and the highest performing land sales experts in their area.

Achieving the ALC designation is not an easy feat. It can take years to complete the rigorous education program and establish a proven track record of transaction performance in land before an agent can qualify.

It also requires a commitment to professional growth and conducting business with integrity.

Having the ALC Designation gives brokers the knowledge they need to close deals and speak confidently with their clients. It also gives clients confidence in their broker as the most qualified expert to help them with their land transaction. The Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) Designation is the only land-specific designation backed by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Learn to work effectively with – and within – today’s diverse real estate market. The At Home With Diversity® certification teaches you how to conduct your business with sensitivity to all client profiles and build a business plan to successfully serve them.

Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) from the National Association of REALTORS® empowers REALTORS® to evaluate, enhance and showcase their highest levels of professionalism. It’s not a course, class, or designation—it’s an Endorsement that REALTORS® can promote when serving clients and other REALTORS®.

The CRB is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management and is awarded to REALTORS® who have completed advanced educational and professional requirements.

The CRS designation* is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers.The Council’s education programs and referral network provide CRS Designees with the superior knowledge, connections and tools to be more productive.

Council members represent the top 3 percent of all REALTORS® in the country. With more than 30,000 members you are immediately connected to a professional network of top producers for best-in-class education, networking, valuable referrals and more.

E-PRO is a training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. E-PRO is not just about technology; it’s about how you can leverage your most powerful asset, your people skills, into doing more business on the Internet.

The Texas-specific Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation is obtained by attending an intensive series of courses that total 90 hours of classroom instruction. Texas REALTORS® who’ve earned their GRIs earn twice as much as non-designees.

The Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification is specifically designed to enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values.

This certification is designed for REALTORS® who facilitate the buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination are involved in this market niche.

Ethically and profitably serve the real estate needs of clients over the age of 50. Designees will learn about the lifestyle needs of maturing clients as well as services to offer them while earning their trust and respect.

The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation, recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®, is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. SRS is a global community of REALTORS® who use their ideas and expertise to professionally and ethically represent sellers.

The Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) certification is for REALTORS® who want to hone the skills that will allow them to help buyers and sellers of distressed properties.

The Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist certification teaches you how to represent clients, perform market analyses, negotiate, and understand property development and management. The TACS will also equip you with skills in marketing and business development. This certification shows that you’ve pursued an intensive course of study in commercial real estate and that you’re dedicated to providing the highest level of service to clients.

Make the dream of homeownership a reality for more Texans. The certification focuses on programs and alternatives that help make homeownership more affordable and sustainable for first-time, underserved, and at-risk market segments

When looking for help in finding that perfect tenant or finding that perfect rental property to call home, landlords and tenants want the services of a real estate professional who understands their needs and can guide them through the process. Be in the know with how to provide real estate services that meet the needs of this market and win future referrals.

The Texas Risk Reduction Specialist certification signifies that you are adept at identifying and mitigating potential liabilities for your brokerage and clients. The certification will help you safely navigate transactions in your markets and areas of expertise.

Code of Ethics

Below are the cycle dates for the Code of Ethics Training Requirement. Training must be completed at anytime during these established cycles.

Failure to complete training during any cycle will lead to suspension of membership for the January and February immediately following the cycle deadline, with termination of membership starting March 1 after the cycle deadline.

Current Cycle

January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024

Future Cycle

January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027

*note, GRI Brokerage will satisfy the NAR Code of Ethics Requirement.

COE Status Check

REALTOR® Life-Cycle

The Life-Cycle of a REALTOR® can be viewed in stages:

Pre-License

TREC –The Texas Real Estate Commission– sets the standard for becoming a real estate agent.

License-First Renewal

During the first 2 years of becoming licensed, agents in Texas must complete 90 hours of Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) plus Legal 1, and Legal 2 in order to renew, for a total of 98 hours. Williamson County REALTORS® provides those SAE hours both through earning a Graduate Realtor® Institute (GRI) designation and other courses.

Adaptation to Speciality

Because of the requirements of competency, most agents narrow in on a specific field of practice. Typically, those fields are Residential, Commercial, property management, Farm & Ranch, Land, Global, Seniors, Veterans, Auction or Foreclosures. Williamson County REALTORS® offers courses and designations to help you succeed.

Becoming a Broker/Broker Associate

Becoming a broker is a big step. Williamson County REALTORS® offers broker responsibility, pre-test prep and more.

Retirement

Transitioning out of the industry can be daunting. Williamson County REALTORS® offers both classes and connections to business planning activities to assist you.