Frequently Asked Questions
Who should, or should not, take this course?
All real estate professionals would benefit from taking this online course. We strongly believe that this consulting model is the future of real estate. However, if you do not intend to participate in the Graduate Coaching where you learn to apply the concepts to the real world, you would probably not derive the intended value from the course.
How was the course material created?
The course material and exam are based on the real estate consulting program taught by Mollie W. Wasserman as well as the concepts outlined in her book, Ripping the Roof off Real Estate. ACRE™ Coach Judi Bryan has expanded the newest edition course book to include concepts, applications, and the experiences of our growing group of ACRE™ graduates.
With the advent of new technology and the Internet, it has become easier for consumers to think that they can buy or sell on their own, or worse, they can be lured into using discount companies and "MLS Only" entry participants (who take advantage of the consumer on a volume basis). Therefore, it has become not only necessary, but vital, for real estate professionals to offer information and education, and payment and service choices to the consumer, so that the consumer can make an informed decision about their largest financial transaction.
This course is for those who plan to stay in residential real estate and want to make it a win-win for both consumer and agent.
Is there any continuing support for the ACRE™ designation?
Yes! Unlike many online courses that provide no follow-up, the ACRE™ course includes a full year in our Graduate Coaching Program.
We realize, for example, that laws vary from state to state and brokers may have concerns about this emerging model, however our commitment is to be there for you to help with those issues and many more.
Are there other benefits to continued ACRE™ membership?
Absolutely! As more and more real estate professionals around the country earn the ACRE™ designation, the opportunity and ability to make and receive referral income will grow dramatically. Please note that the ACRE Council LLC will never take a fee or share in a commission for any referrals.
Having the ACRE™ designation and being currently enrolled in the Graduate Coaching Program will allow ACRE™ members to use the ever growing set of marketing tools we have created to educate the public on the value and benefit of working with an ACRE™ through website links, books, marketing and business literature. In addition, we provide print-ready logos to use on stationery, business cards, and websites.
Furthermore, to be on top of your game and ahead of any transition in the real estate industry, you must know the current trends, be able to adapt to those changes, and network with your peers. We are committed to aiding and coaching all ACRE™ graduates to have long-term continued successes as dynamic, innovative, and forward-thinking real estate professionals, but for this to work, we need you to make the commitment as well and be an active participant in the Graduate Coaching Program.
What are the requirements to become an Accredited Consultant in Real Estate (ACRE™)?
The Accredited Consultant in Real Estate (ACRE™) designation is awarded to real estate and lending and legal professionals who have studied the Course Manual and successfully passed the online exam. In addition, we strongly recommend you determine your hourly rate and develop a basis set of fees before taking the exam. Determining your hourly worth, identifying the costs associated with your practice, and developing fee packages to offer consumers, is critical to developing a successful consulting model as an additional facet to your existing real estate practice.
Lastly, we strongly recommend you to be an active participant in the Graduate Coaching Exchange, which is a part of the Graduate Coaching Program. The Exchange is where you will get answers to your questions, troubleshoot issues that come up in the field, and mastermind with fellow ACRE™ members.
Is ACRE™ endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)?
Not yet. However, with the overwhelming demand for this model, we have made this one of our top priorities. Currently, we are responding to the many demands from real estate professionals who want to implement this new business model. We fully expect the NAR® to take a serious interest upon learning that their members are interested in this real estate consulting model.
Does the ACRE™ course qualify for Continuing Education (CE) credits?
Not at this time. We are working towards this with States on a case-by-case basis as ACRE™ enrollment increases and more members request CE credits.
Is there an ACRE™ test and how many times can I take it?
Yes, there is an online exam so we can ascertain that you understand the basics of the real estate consulting model. Once you enroll in the ACRE™ course, the ACRE™ Course Manual is provided to you as a pdf download. You must have Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or higher to download the Course Manual. To obtain the latest version as a free download click here.
If you do not receive the passing grade of 35 questions out of 50, then you can re-take the exam until you achieve the passing grade. If you continue to have problems passing the exam after several attempts, you should contact us directly.
What do I get with the ACRE™ course?
- The Course Manual, the online exam, and a full year of the Graduate Coaching Program.
- The right to use the ACRE™ logo in your signature line, on your web sites and blogs, as well as business cards and marketing materials.
- Your placement on our “Find an ACRE” search facility so that you can be located by other real estate professionals as well as the public.
How much does it cost to become an ACRE™?
The $499 course fee* includes one year in the Graduate Coaching Program and a listing in "Find an ACRE™." There is a nominal yearly renewal for the Graduate Coaching Program.
Can the class be taught live at our office?
Yes. We realize some people learn better in a live, interactive, and hands-on environment. For details, please contact us.
Can I take this course if I'm not a REALTOR®?
Absolutely. In fact, if you want to learn more about consulting in any industry, this course and the ongoing coaching would prove invaluable to your business profession. Whether you are a Realtor®, mortgage lender, or attorney who works with real estate closings, you will gain valuable knowledge in how to implement a marketing strategy based on the addition of a consulting model for your business.
I've taken another class to learn real estate consulting, what's the difference between them?
As far as we know, the ACRE™ course is the only real estate consulting designation course that provides ongoing coaching and training through our comprehensive Graduate Coaching Program. We feel this is exceptionally important when learning a new model in any industry.
You can take a class anywhere, but if you need help or need someone to turn to for advice, this is what sets the ACRE™ program apart from any other real estate course in the market today. Another prominent difference is that coaches Merv Forney, Mollie Wasserman, Paula Bean, and Judi Bryan are Realtors®, and have years of experience with the traditional commission system as well as with consulting. They know the issues facing you and how to resolve them because they are "in the trenches" alongside you. In addition, real estate educator Tom Pickering is available to provide ongoing support.
Having said that, we believe that you can never gain too much knowledge about any topic, so we advise you to take as many real estate or other industry courses as you can, and learn from as many people as you can, to gain additional perspectives and increase your overall knowledge base.
How long will it take to complete the ACRE™ course?
That will vary by the individual, depending upon how fast you read, grasp the concepts, and take the exam. For most people, set aside 3-6 hours to read and study the Course Manual and to take the online exam.
We recommend that you take your time reading the Course Manual, but when you are ready to take the test allow for at least 60 to 90 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete the exam in one sitting.
If you get a server time out, or your telephone rings and you take a call, you may get cut off and have to start all over at the beginning again. There are 50 questions on the exam, and if you are up to #45 when you get interrupted and get cut off, it will be very frustrating to have to start over. We recommend that you take the test uninterrupted.
What if I need help while taking the exam, such as tech support or otherwise?
You should need no help if you've read the Course Manual and you take the uninterrupted time for the exam. However, if you should run into a computer bug that we haven't discovered (there are many operating systems that work differently and could offset the website properties) please send an email to with your name, phone number, email address, and what the specific problem is, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Do you offer a money back guarantee?
No. The reason for this is simple. This is proprietary information, and once you have it, we can't take it back. This is one of the reasons we include the Graduate Coaching Program with the course fee in the first year, because we know education without application or follow-up is destined to fail. If you pass the class, and actively participate in the Graduate Coaching Program, you will succeed.
What if I cannot download the Course Manual?
You must have Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or higher to download the course book. To obtain the current version as a free download click here.
Will the state in which I operate my real estate business allow me to be a "consultant" if I am not a broker?
Some states, such as Pennsylvania, have legislation that allows only real estate brokers to call themselves "consultants." Please review real estate laws and regulations from your service area's real estate commission to be sure that you will not be in violation if you market yourself as a real estate consultant. In addition, as we all know in this industry, things take time to become sanctioned by local and regional governing bodies. By no means, however, should you delay your quest for knowledge and staying current, and therefore, the expansion of your own personal real estate practices. We encourage all those in states that may have this caveat for the use of the word "consultant" to continue to pursue the ACRE™ designation and the Graduate Coaching Program. You will still learn a tremendous amount about working with today’s consumer, and you will run circles around your competition. In addition, you will not only be a part of the vanguard of the consulting movement, but instead of trying to figure out what's going to happen, you will be positioned to take advantage of it.
* The $499 enrollment fee is subject to increase in the near future.