Time Commitment & Flexibility

Unrivaled Fexibility

After satisfying a reasonable professional experience requirement, most candidates can expect to complete their CRI Charter or CRI Associate within 12 – 24 months.

The self-directed nature of the CRI Program, and the ability to customize your exam dates (proctored via The Mortgage Bankers Association’s website), brings a level of flexibility that other programs do not match.

Other designations are typically earned over a longer portion of one’s career. For example, the CMB and CCIM require several multi-day core courses taught in a “classroom” setting, in addition to electives and/or other experiences. As a result, working professionals pursuing these designations may invest several years accumulating the credit or points that will ultimately count towards their designations.

Consider the following comparison of your potential time investment to earn the CRI Certification versus other designations.

CMB^®

CCIM^®

CFA^®

Time Requirement:

CRI vs. CMB, CFA, & CCIM

Level 2 - Portfolio Level
Level 1 - Property Level

Written/Oral Exams
Distance Learning
SOMB III
SOMB II
SOMB I

Level 3 Exam
Level 2 Exam
Level 1 Exam

CCIM 104, Ethics, Electives, Final Exam
CCIM 103
CCIM 102
CCIM 101

CRI

(1)

CMB

(2)

CFA

(3)

CCIM

(4)

The CRI Charter is earned when a candidate, who possesses a minimum three years of qualified real estate experience, successfully passes both the Associate and Charter examinations. Depending on a candidate’s level of professional experience, most candidates can expect to earn their Charter or Associate within a 12 – 24 month period. The self-directed nature of the CRI Program allows the candidate to prepare and sit for exams on their own schedule.

(The CMB designation is earned when a Candidate, who possesses a minimum five years of mortgage industry experience, earns over 150 CMB points and then passes a written exam. 35 – 75 of CMB points can be earned through School of Mortgage Banking, which offers customary training and continuing education courses in “classroom” settings throughout the United States. Additional points can be earned through professional experience and industry participation. Mortgage industry professionals typically accrue points throughout their career before officially pursuing their CMB designation.

The CFA® Charter is earned when a candidate, who possesses a minimum four years of acceptable professional work experience, successfully completes all three levels of the CFA® Program.

The CCIM designation is earned when a Candidate, who submits a satisfactory Portfolio of Qualifying Experience (a volume based transaction history), completes four core CCIM courses, an Ethics course, various elective courses, and finally completes a comprehensive exam offered twice per year. The four core courses are offered in “classroom” settings throughout the United States and are five days in duration. Other CCIM required courses can be completed in this setting, or online.

Curriculum

Learn more about the curriculum differences between the CFA and CRI Certification.

Certification Comparison

Compare the time commitments between the CFA and CRI Certification.

Other Considerations

Learn more about the other considerations between the CFA and CRI Certification.