What is Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)?

What Exactly is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)?

An acknowledged authority in the fields of commercial and investment real estate is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). The CCIM Institute bestows the designation. A CCIM is a resource that helps commercial real estate owners, investors, and users make the best real estate investment choices.

Understanding a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designees are proficient in the areas of investment analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, and financial analysis for commercial real estate. The primary areas that CCIMs are able to help their clients in include minimizing risk, enhancing credibility, making informed decisions, closing more deals, and maximizing their return on investment.1

The CCIM Institute was founded in 1967 and since then 20,000 individuals have gone through its core designation program. According to the CCIM Institute, less than 10% of commercial real estate investors and advisors hold the CCIM designation, and CCIMs on average complete 42% more transactions annually than a specialist broker, making them a more attractive resource for clients.

In 2007, the CCIM Institute launched the Robert L. Ward Center for Real Estate Studies, which offers concentrated courses on specific topics. CCIMs have access to a suite of online technology tools through the Site to Do Business, and they can post properties for sale or lease through the online CCIMNet commercial real estate exchange.

In general, a CCIM has access to a broad network of individuals and continuing education. Members can also access topic-related magazines, podcasts, and other educational series. The CCIM Institute also participates in various industry events, conferences, and trade shows that members are able to attend.

A CCIM is proficient in the area of the commercial real estate industry, which includes knowledge of the ethics and negotiation practices of investing in that market. CCIMs include brokers, attorneys, bankers, leasing professionals, property managers, developers, and asset managers.

Becoming a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

To earn the CCIM designation, one must meet the following requirements:

Complete an education component, pass the exam, complete the membership application, and pay annual dues. The education component consists of the below:

• (CI 101) Financial Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate
• (CI 102) Market Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate
• Negotiation Training;
• (CI 103) User Decision Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate
• (CI 104) Investment Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate
• Online Ethics Course.

Membership Types

Depending on a person's situation, there are three different membership types available to CCIM applicants. These include the "Candidate Membership" that applies to the majority of commercial real estate professionals and does not require any advanced degrees or additional designations; the "Fast Track" membership for those commercial real estate professionals that hold other eligible commercial real estate designations, and the "University Fast Track: Graduate and Undergraduate" membership for those who have eligible master's or bachelor's degrees from allied universities.

Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Comprehensive Exam

The exam costs $375 and applicants have the option to take the Course Concepts Review (CCR) before a scheduled exam. The cost is $810. The exam is taken in-person on one day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open-book. You can access your grade the same day at 5 p.m. Applicants need a grade of 70% or higher to pass the exam. If an applicant fails the exam, they can retake it; four retakes are allowed.