The CRAA® Difference: Why Certification Matters
Whether you're new to real assets or an experienced professional, CRAA® certification highlights your expertise, ethical standards, and dedication to ongoing education. By earning the CRAA® credential, you take charge of your career in the built environment.
CRAA® Certification — Valued by Employers,
Investors, and the Public
As the real assets profession evolves, stakeholders are demanding more from their service providers, seeking innovative solutions to challenges in global built and natural environments. The CERTIFIED REAL ASSETS ANALYST™ (CRAA®) certification stands out as the only comprehensive real assets credential developed through rigorous academic research and practitioner input.
Only individuals who meet RPII's stringent certification criteria and pass the challenging CRAA® Exam are awarded the CRAA® credential.
CRAA® Program exclusively targets income-producing real assets, addressing a crucial knowledge and skill gap not covered by universities or on-the-job training.
CRAA® certification requirements are developed in collaboration with renowned real assets experts, thought leaders, and academics.
Expand Your Career Opportunities
The built environment relies on a diverse community of professionals dedicated to developing, financing, and enhancing the spaces where we live, work, and play. With an industry culture that values innovation and entrepreneurship, your career path is in your hands. Whether you work for a large investment manager, join a regional brokerage, or become a successful developer, CRAA® certification can broaden your career prospects and open doors to various roles within and beyond the profession.
Students & Early Career Professionals
Start Strong, Stay Ahead
For those just starting their journey in real assets, earning the CRAA® certification can set you apart and lay the foundation for a successful career. By pursuing this credential, you can:
- Stand Out Early: Differentiate yourself in a competitive job market by demonstrating your commitment to excellence and specialized knowledge.
- Build a Strong Foundation: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the real assets industry, equipping yourself with the essential skills to thrive from the start.
- Access More Opportunities: Increase your attractiveness to employers and investors who value the CRAA® designation as a mark of industry readiness.
- Plan for the Future: Position yourself for long-term career growth by starting with a credential that opens doors to various roles within the industry.
With over 2.9 million jobs connected to commercial real estate in the U.S. alone, the demand for skilled professionals is strong. The CRAA® certification can help you carve out a successful path in real assets.
Mid-Career Rising Stars
Rise to the Next Level
For those established in the real assets industry, CRAA® certification offers a powerful tool for career advancement and specialization. By earning this credential, you can:
- Advance Career Mobility: Transition into a new sector or elevate your current role with the advanced skills and knowledge CRAA® certification provides.
- Distinguish Yourself: Stand out as a leader committed to ongoing professional development, setting yourself apart in a competitive field.
- Unlock New Opportunities: Signal to employers that you’re equipped for greater responsibilities, opening doors to new roles and higher positions.
- Stay Relevant: Keep up with industry trends and best practices, ensuring your expertise remains current and valued.
Pursuing CRAA® certification helps solidify your standing as a top-tier professional and expand your horizons within the real assets industry.
Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders
Lead by Example
In the built environment, seasoned veterans who lead by initiative and example have already reached significant career milestones. For these executives and leaders, the CRAA® designation offers more than just a credential — it provides a strategic advantage in maintaining their leadership edge. By pursuing CRAA® certification, they can:
- Reaffirm Expertise: Validate their extensive knowledge and experience with a recognized standard, reinforcing their authority in the field.
- Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Gain insights into emerging trends and practices, ensuring they remain at the forefront of industry developments.
- Enhance Influence: Demonstrate a commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development, which can strengthen their influence and reputation among peers, clients, and stakeholders.
- Mentor the Next Generation: Set a benchmark for excellence, inspiring and guiding the next generation of real assets professionals.
The CRAA® designation represents a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership, helping seasoned professionals continue to shape the future of the industry.
The CRAA® Program embodies a steadfast commitment to sound judgment in the investment and management of real estate and other real assets. This program aims to foster a more functional real assets industry, contributing to the development of better cities and, ultimately, a more sustainable world.
- Dr. Norman Miller
Chairman, Real Property & Infrastructure Institute
Former Hahn Chair of Real Estate Finance, University of San Diego
Expand Your Network
Join a Global Community of Like-Minded Achievers
Earning your CRAA® certification means joining a global community of life long learners that empowers you to:
- Connect with Industry Leaders: Network with ambitious professionals who are driving the real assets industry forward.
- Gain Valuable Insights: Exchange ideas and seek advice from practitioners who face similar challenges and opportunities.
- Build Supportive Relationships: Find mentors and peers who can guide and support you as you advance in your career.
Through engagement with RPII and CRAA® community, you’ll gain access to career resources and professional education opportunities, along with networking events. As you grow within this community, you may even have the opportunity to mentor and inspire the next generation of real assets professionals.
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Advanced Degrees or Doctorates
Degree-seeking students and graduates can enhance their real assets expertise by complementing their graduate degrees with CRAA® certification. The CRAA® Program's Body of Knowledge and Learning Objectives identify industry-demanded skills and competencies that go beyond the typical degree curriculum, providing a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of real assets. By stacking your advanced degree with CRAA® certification, you gain a competitive edge that aligns your education with the specific needs of the industry.
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Appraisal / Surveying Licenses
For professionals in appraisal and surveying, staying current with trends in real property valuation is crucial. CRAA® certification enhances your valuation expertise and offers a broader understanding of capital markets and asset class interactions within the valuation process. This additional knowledge reinforces your existing skills and equips you with a comprehensive perspective on real assets.
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Trade Association or Professional Society Certificates
Enhance your industry-specific knowledge and expand your career and networking opportunities with CRAA® certification. By combining focused professional certificates with the internationally recognized CRAA® credential, you differentiate yourself in a dynamic employment landscape and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the built environment.
Resources and Support for Every Step of the Journey
Achieving CRAA® certification requires commitment and self-motivation, but you won’t be alone. Explore RPII’s resources designed to support your success, including:
- Scholarships: Financial assistance to help you pursue your certification.
- Registered Candidate Resources: Tools and materials to guide you through the certification process.
- CRAA® Certification Criteria: Clear guidelines to understand the requirements and expectations.
- Optional Education Courses: Training and refresher courses to enhance your knowledge and preparation.
Begin Your Journey
Ready to Evolve?
Now is the time to embark on your real assets journey. Enhance your career potential and deepen your knowledge through the CRAA® Program. Gain in-depth insights, set yourself apart from the competition, and build real-world skills. See how you can register for CRAA® certification.
