Certification is not required to become a property manager in Illinois but may be helpful in advancement. Certified Property Managers (CPM) and Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) credentials are designated by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). To obtain certification, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• be a CPM candidate for at least one year;
• have 5 years full-time experience in real estate management;
• complete IREM sponsored courses, be a member of a local Board of Realtors; and
• either hold an active real estate sales license or certify that you are not required to have one.

The Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation through the Building Owners and Managers Institute International is another credential that may be helpful.

For more information about certification, contact:

or