e-PRO® FAQs

A:    e-PRO^® Certification is NAR's online training program to certify real estate professionals as Internet Professionals. Comprehensive and interactive (with other successful real estate professionals who are taking the course at the same time you are), e-PRO^® is the only certification program of its kind recognized nationwide and owned by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR). Because of the innovative design, you will be able to complete the course at your own pace, when and where you want, with any Internet connection.... 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

A:    It is designed specifically for real estate professionals, but anyone may take the course. Although the practical application of the course skills and knowledge is equally valuable to all real estate professionals, the use of the e-PRO^® Certification and logo is reserved exclusively for REALTORS^® (members of NAR, including members of the Canadian Real Estate Association) who have completed the program.

A:    The four areas of focus in the e-PRO^® Certification course are:

• Getting Connected - Getting connected is more than going online, it is about creating an Internet Presence. Join the Community and get "immersed" in the process.
• E-mail, a new way to communicate and a new way to market - Master your e-mail software, using it as a tool to communicate before, during, and after the transaction. Learn great risk reduction and marketing techniques.
• World Wide Web - Learn the obvious and the subtle advantages a web-marketing plan can have. Create your own Internet Listing Presentation content. Use the WWW to publish information valuable to your prospects as well as your clients. Do your homework before you "buy" a web site or pay for an "exclusive territory". Do search engines help? What is working for real estate professionals on the web? Should you create a Blog?
• " Tying it all together - Bring the aspects of ancillary technology such as PDAs, Smart Phones, Digital Cameras, Virtual Tours, MLS systems to the attention of the e-PRO^®. Looking at the competition and putting together the plan to put the concepts of e-PRO^® into your business. Create your Personal Technology Plan of Action and position yourself for the future. Become an active member of the e-PRO^® graduate community and the growing list of benefits which that will bring.

A:    You must have an Internet connection, an e-mail account, be a licensed real estate professional, and have a working knowledge of computer basics including working with Web browsers. You can take the course from any operating system as it is browser based. PC users must have a minimum of Windows 95; Mac users must have a minimum O/S 7. NOTE: Only members of NAR will be e-PRO^® Certified and permitted use of the exclusive e-PRO^® logo.

A:    Customers will have confidence that you are proactive and savvy about the Internet and that you take the Connected Consumer seriously as well as meet their online needs. This affluent and rapidly growing consumer group will appreciate your interest and ability in using the Internet and want to work with you! Consumers can locate you on a National Directory of e-PRO^® Graduates. You'll be able to direct them to a special Web page which explains what e-PRO^® Certification means to the online consumer.

A:    No, absolutely not. It's the little things that make a difference and by taking the little steps you will transform your business. This is an "Internet Integration" course. Integrating technology and the Internet into what you are already doing, and not the other way around. It is a skills development course, designed to bring skills enhancement and value to students, regardless of their current level of technology proficiency. It is the support of an Internet Community, a place to go when you have questions about almost any aspect of the real estate industry. It's an "Internet Professional" Certification. It trains you in using e-mail and the Web: for communications, marketing and operations. It will help you create and nurture online customer relationships and it will keep you current on the legal, security, privacy and other aspects of doing business online.

A:    Anyone can take this course. If you are not comfortable with email and the Web, it could prove to be more of a challenge, but the course is designed to bring learning and value to all students, regardless of their technology competency. It will discuss many practical applications of the technology. It is an Internet course so the information is there to let the student take it to the depth of learning they desire, with certain requirements for Certification. The Program is designed to provide a valuable learning experience to all students regardless of their skill level.

A:    The aim of the e-PRO^® Certification course is not just to certify real estate professionals in Internet use. e-PRO^® Certification is in fact a complete training program on communicating effectively with the online consumer and getting the most out of your online real estate business. The Connected Consumer has very different expectations than offline consumers and dealing with them effectively requires a different approach. The e-PRO^® Certification course guides students through completing a Technology Plan of Action for their business and introduces them to many techniques for evaluating and using Internet tools. e-PRO^® Certification will help you make more money today as well as securing your position tomorrow. You'll learn how to leverage your most valuable asset - your people skills - to create increased business online, by participation in online communities.

e-PRO^® Certification will set you apart from the competition and make you the preferred choice of the Connected Consumer. One of the main benefits of e-PRO^® Certification, aside from the training itself, is that you are clearly identified as a real estate Internet Professional to potential online clients. When you become e-PRO^® Certified, you can put the e-PRO^® logo on your site, which is linked to a web page listing reasons why customers should choose an e-PRO^® Certified real estate professional.

One of the biggest advantages of e-PRO^® is that you will be included in a referral network with other trusted e-PRO^® grads. People you will be proud to refer to your Internet savvy clients.

A:    First of all, InternetCrusade® (IC) is a company experienced in creating and presenting compelling, relevant technology content for real estate professionals as they go online and conduct more business through the Internet. It's also a company capable of creating online community, a key element in the e-PRO^® program. IC created the first ICANN approved online domain transfer software, and also has created web applications for real estate professionals. In addition, (IC) serves as the "Virtual Post Office" for 10,000 clients from around the world, delivering hundreds of thousands of e-mail messages every day. Finally, IC's principals, Saul Klein, Mike Barnett and John Reilly bring exceptional real estate industry expertise and knowledge. Its principals have almost 100 years of real estate experience; they are experienced brokers licensed in three states, and they are outstanding real estate educators.

A:    Currently, the cost of the course is $359, the same as the original program. The cost to someone not a REALTOR^®is $459. NAR dictates any changes in the price of the course.

A:    e-PRO^® is the only certification program of its kind recognized nationwide and endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS^®. Customers have confidence that e-PRO^® graduates are savvy about the Internet and that they take the Internet empowered consumer seriously and can meet their online needs. The e-PRO^® Web site explains what e-PRO^® Certification means to the consumer and contains a National Directory of e-PRO^® Graduates.

A:   You may enroll immediately. Simply complete the Sign-up form at http://www.eProNAR.com You will select your own username and password when you complete your sign-up form and submit your credit card for payment. Be sure to note your username and password because you will use that to LogOn to take the course.

A:   You will gain a better understanding of the Course if you click on the Preview Course button on the left navigation frame and take a short tour

A:   Yes. If you are not a REALTOR®, please note that you may participate in the learning experience but that you:

• will not receive the e-PRO^® Certification
• are restricted from using the e-PRO^® trademarks/logo
• may not participate in the e-PRO^® Graduate Referral Network and online Community
• will pay $459 for the course

A:   You have six months to finish the e-PRO^® course from the time you enroll (not the date you start the first lesson) and are issued your username and password to access the material. We estimate the time to complete the entire online course to be 20 to 30 hours. Once you pass your final examination, we will review your assignments and coursework and then we will issue your e-PRO^® Certificate and send you your e-PRO^® pin. Once your coursework has been validated, you will be able to declare yourself an e-PRO^® certified internet professional.

A:   When you place your order on our secure Order Page with your credit card data, take a look at the URL for the page - it will show a https:// rather than the usual http:// Also, look for the "lock" icon on your toolbar as a sign of a secure server.

A:   The e-PRO^® site is designed to work with any system configuration; however, it is best viewed on Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.0 (or later) Browser at 800x600 or higher resolution.

A:   That will depend whether the regulatory agency in your state has approved the e-PRO^® course for CE credit. Each state has its own set of standards as to the type of courses recognized for CE (classroom, distance learning, technology). Separate applications must be made in each state and the number of hours approved will vary as well. When states approve the e-PRO^® course, we will list the states on www.eProNAR.com at the CE Approval button. Note that there is an application fee required in some states. This fee is NOT covered by your course enrollment fee.

A:   To be an e-PRO^®, one must complete the course AND be a REALTOR®. As long as one is a member of the REALTOR® organization and continues to be entitled to call themselves a REALTOR®, they can continue as an e-PRO^® with no other cost other than the initial enrollment fee.

A:   There have been a number of inquiries regarding whether certain individuals who are included on lists at various Internet web sites have or have not received the e-PRO^® certification. The first thing to understand is that neither NAR nor InternetCrusade control postings at sites other than their own. Thus, even a listing of e-PRO^® certified agents on REALTOR.com is not controlled by NAR. The second important point is that NAR does not and cannot maintain the responsibility of checking to make sure everyone who claims to be an e-PRO^® has, in fact, completed the certification program. NAR does not do this for GRI nor any of its other certification or designation programs. Instead, NAR relies upon the desire of the vast majority of members to uphold the highest standards of the profession, including the need for honesty in their dealing with and representation to the public.

It is only in the breach that NAR must and will take additional steps, where a member has demonstrated an unwillingness to otherwise abide by those highest standards of conduct. This will generally include initially a request for the member to correct the errant information or document. Ultimately, of course, NAR's reaction can also include a complaint to the local association through which the individual holds membership. As indicated in the procedures manual, anyone may file a complaint alleging a violation of the Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics requires that a REALTORS^® present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public. The use of credentials which have not been earned in representations to the public could certainly be found by the local association to be a violation of the Code's duty of a true picture.

If there is evidence that anyone is using the e-PRO^® certification and they have not earned it, that information can be sent to the National Association. From there the National Association will attempt to determine the facts and then take the appropriate steps based upon those facts. This information may be forwarded to NAR, Attention: Legal Affairs, 430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-4087 or via e-mail at ePROmarks@realtors.org. Care should, of course, be taken in making claims of misuse to avoid counterclaims of disparagement in the event you are wrong.

A:   We send NAR the course graduate list on a daily basis for insertion in the education records at NRDS. We do not give any information to Realtor.COM, they pull their information from Realtor.ORG (they update their information frequently, but not daily). If you don't have a Realtor.COM service, your name and e-PRO^® status may not be listed in their directories.

If you are logged into Realtor.ORG, Certifications DO NOT show up on the profile editor screen. If you search for yourself via the REALTOR^®Search page on their site, your certification will show up so long as your correct NRDS number is listed in the 'Your Information' section of the e-PRO^® course (and your coursework has been validated). If, as a graduate, you add your NRDS number to our system and save your changes, your certification will show up immediately on Realtor.ORG.

A:   To extend your course deadline, you must first login to your e-PRO^® course. Once logged in, click the ‘Extend Time’ button at the top center of the screen (right next to your expiration date). Keep in mind that your course will pause where you left off upon expiration, and your extension will begin immediately upon purchase, so it is best to wait until you are ready to continue your course before purchasing an extension.