Staying Ahead of the Game: New IRM Continuing Education Requirements
All of the information on the latest continuing education requirements for IRM designees.

By reading eNews, Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine, and other industry publications, you stay abreast of important changes and new information in new home sales and marketing. What is the new color in design? What is the latest closing technique? What recommendations do pros have for multicultural selling? In this rapidly changing industry, sales and marketing professionals must learn more in order to earn more.

In addition to reading industry publications, education is the greatest resource that you can tap to stay ahead of the pack. As you know, earning professional designations increases your marketability and improves your knowledge base. But then what? Continuing education, through The NAHB University of Housing and the Institute of Residential Marketing, will boost your career and keep you ahead of the curve.

The Institute offers a range of new home sales and marketing classes that qualify as continuing education. Now is the time to get a head start because starting January 1, 2005, all new CSPs, Master CSPs, CMPs, and MIRMs will be subject to continuing education requirements for your highest designation earned.

You can earn continuing education credit through courses offered through IRM, NAHB or regional convention education programs, local courses, as well as an array of other approved programs. Additionally, to simplify the process, if you earned your designation before January 1, 2005, you will have a three-year grace period before the requirements take effect. 

New annual renewal fees for CSP and Master CSP are now also required to keep your designations active. However, a brand new benefit is available — the CSP/Master CSP online directory, which will launch in January 2005.

The chart on this page breaks down the fees and requirements, which were passed and approved by IRM’s Board of Trustees under direction from NAHB’s Education Board. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/Education.  For questions call 800-368-5242 x8445 or e-mail irm@nahb.org.

Designation	Annual renewal fees	Continuing Education Credit Requirements (every 3 years)
CSP	$25	2 continuting education credits
Master CSP	$35	4 continuting education credits
CMP	$40	6 continuting education credits
MIRM	$95	8 continuting education credits

Eligible Continuing Education Credit:

• NAHB or Regional Convention Marketing Programs:
  One continuing education credit per each full-hour of the program for a maximum of 10 credits. 
• Special Marketing Seminar:
  One continuing education credit per each full-hour of the program for a maximum of 10 credits.
  Seminars must be pre-approved for elective credit by the IRM Education Committee.
• Local NAHB/HBA/SMC Courses and Programs:
  One continuing education credit per each two full hours of programming for a maximum of 10 credits.
  Courses include Non-IRM courses and programs sponsored by NAHB, a state or local HBA, an SMC, or HBI.
• Other IRM Approved Programs:
  One continuing education credit per each full-hour of an IRM course, for a maximum of 10 credits. IRM course instruction earns one continuing education credit.
  Only includes courses and programs produced and/or sponsored by IRM (excluding IRM I-IV).

*Continuing education requirements and renewal fees will be based on the highest level of designation held.

*Continuing Education requirements and annual renewal fees are effective January 1, 2005, for all new MIRMs, CMPs, CSPs, and Master CSPs. Anyone holding one of these designations before 2005 has until January 1, 2008 to meet the continuing education credit requirements.

For more information on courses or continuing education, visit www.nahb.org/Education or contact IRM at irm@nahb.org. [ return to top ]