Are there certifications available for property managers?  Yes, there are many organizations offering membership and certifications for professional property managers, they may be members of one or more of the following organizations:

National Association of Residential Property Managers also known as NARPM's mission is to support the professional and ethical practices of rental home management through networking, education and designation."  NARPM is an association designed for real estate professionals who know first-hand the unique problems and challenges of managing single-family and small residential properties. NARPM^® offers an effective, professional learning environment for owners of property management companies, property managers and their office staff. (Information taken directly from National Association of Residential Property Managers website).

The National Apartment Association (NAA) is America's leading advocate for quality rental housing.  NAA's mission is to serve the interests of multi-family housing owners, managers, developers and suppliers and maintain a high level of professionalism in the multi-family housing industry to better serve the rental needs of the public.

NAA is a federation of nearly 200 state and local affiliates, comprised of more than 51,000 multi-family housing companies representing more than 6.3 million apartment homes throughout the United States and Canada. Members in good standing of any affiliated association are automatically considered members of NAA and entitled to NAA benefits.

Through a joint legislative alliance with the National Multi Housing Council, NAA protects and represents your interests with regard to legislative and regulatory issues at the federal government level. NAA monitors legislation and regulations in all 50 states and shares that information with your local and state affiliate staff. We continually provide education and training opportunities for both multi-site managers and on-site staff. NAA's education initiatives include six nationally-recognized designation programs. In addition, NAA offers the industry's premier education conference and trade show, attracting thousands of multi-family housing professionals seeking education, networking and business opportunities.

Our members represent all facets of the multi-family housing industry: owners, managers, developers, leasing consultants, maintenance technicians and suppliers.

Our purpose is to support an industry that offers safe, affordable multi-family housing to the public, equitably compensates its workforce, and provides investors with a fair and reasonable rate of return.   (Information taken directly from National Apartment Associations website).

Building Owners and Managers Association also known as (BOMA)  BOMA International was founded in 1907 as the National Association of Building Owners and Managers. The association assumed its present name in 1968 as it broadened its reach to include Canada and other affiliates around the globe. Today, BOMA International represents 92 local associations throughout the United States and 12 affiliates in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia and South Africa. BOMA's 16,500-plus members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties in North America.

BOMA International is a primary source of information on office building development, leasing, building operating costs, energy consumption patterns, local and national building codes, legislation, occupancy statistics and technological developments.

Throughout BOMA Internationals 100-year history, its goal has always focused on actively and responsibly representing and promoting the interests of the commercial real estate industry through effective leadership and advocacy, through the collection, analysis and dissemination of information, and through professional development. (Information taken directly from the Building Owners and Managers Association website.)

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is celebrating its 75^th anniversary in 2008.  For more than seven decades, IREM has been the source for education, resources, information and membership for real estate management professionals. An affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, IREM is the only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. With 80 U.S. chapters, eight international chapters and several other partnerships around the globe, IREM is an international organization that also serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry.

Membership includes more than 18,000 individual members and 500 corporate members.  IREM promotes ethical real estate management practices through its credentialed membership programs, including the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation, the Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) certification, the Accredited Commercial Manager certification and the Accredited Management Organization (AMO) accreditation.  These esteemed credentials certify competence and professionalism for those engaged in real estate management.  In addition, IREM offers Associate, Student and Academic memberships.

Collectively, IREM CPM Members in the United States manage over $1.5 trillion in real estate assets, including 8.4 million residential units and 8.4 billion net square feet of commercial space. An additional 977,400 residential units are managed by IREM ARM Members. IREM Members are employed by some of the most prestigious real estate firms in the world and nearly 70% hold upper-level management positions. Due to their professionalism and vast experience, property owners and investors worldwide continually seek out the management services of IREM Members. (Information taken directly from The Institute of Real Estate Management website.)