Certification Process
The Professional Experience Requirement
Competence in the real assets industry is developed through both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. To uphold the standards and advance the reputation of the industry, we assess the work experience of all CRAA® candidates. Prior to earning CRAA® certification, candidates must accumulate 4,000 hours of qualifying industry experience related to income-producing real assets. This ensures that certificants are well-equipped to contribute effectively to the industry and its evolution.
Understanding the Professional Experience Requirement
Minimum Number of Hours
To meet the professional experience requirement, you must complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of eligible industry experience over a minimum of 36 months. These months do not need to be consecutive.
Acceptable Work Arrangements
Experience accumulated before or after enrolling in the CRAA® Program is eligible. Full-time remote or self-employed work arrangements are eligible, provided the experience is verifiable.
Professional Experience Requirement
Eligible Industry Experience for CRAA® Certification
To earn CRAA® certification, you must demonstrate practical real-world experience in the real assets sector. This experience must be relevant to income-generating real assets, such as real estate, infrastructure, timberland, or agriculture. It should involve applying knowledge, skills, and judgment related to real assets and include critical thinking.
Eligible Experience
- Types of Assets: Experience with any income-producing real asset, including real estate, infrastructure, timberland, or agriculture.
- Value-Adding Processes: Any process that enhances the value of income-producing real assets is acceptable.
- Application of Skills: Experience must involve the application of relevant knowledge, skills, and sound judgment.
Ineligible Activities
- Activities that do not contribute directly to real assets practice and competency, such as training, company marketing or self-promotion, and clerical or administrative tasks, cannot be counted towards the 4,000-hour requirement.
Special Considerations
- Typically, eligible experience should be based on paid work.
- For individuals with a Ph.D. or those actively pursuing a Ph.D., academic activities such as teaching, research, and academic discourse may also fulfill the Professional Experience Requirement.
Experience Spotlight: Work as an Entrepreneur
Many CRAA® candidates rightfully count industry experience accumulated from self-employment through their own business or family-owned business enterprise. This industry experience is eligible under the Professional Experience Requirement as long as:
- You are (or were) paid a market rate for services performed; and
- The work performed qualifies under Eligible Industry Experience.
Please note, experience related to your personal ownership of non-income-producing real assets (such as your personal residence) is not eligible under the Professional Experience Requirement.
Let's Get This Done
Submitting Your Information
As a CRAA® candidate, you do not need to do anything with respect to reporting your completion of the Professional Experience Requirement. On your final application for CRAA® certification following successful passing of the CRAA® Exam, you will attest whether you satisfy the Professional Experience Requirement and be asked to sufficiently describe your relevant experiences.
RPII does not ask for industry experience verification documentation prior to submission of your final CRAA® certification application. However, RPII may request proof of work experience (such as a letter of employment or salary slips) to be submitted while processing your certification application or after becoming a CRAA® professional in order to demonstrate all certification requirements were satisfied. Failure to provide requested documentation relevant to any certification requirement may lead to a breach under the Code and Principles of Professional Conduct and could result in sanction.
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.
Enroll Now