Arizona Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) Designation
Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) Designation Course for Arizona Real Estate Agents
Since August 2024, Arizona buyers are required to sign written buyer representation agreements before touring homes. For agents, that means one thing: your value as a buyer’s representative now needs to be explicit, demonstrable, and defensible before you ever open a door.
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation—awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®—is the credential that equips you to have that conversation confidently. It’s the only NAR-recognized designation built exclusively for buyer-facing agents, and in Arizona’s post-settlement market, it’s more relevant than it has ever been.
ASREB has delivered ABR coursework to Arizona agents for decades. Our instructors are active Arizona real estate professionals—they teach buyer representation from real transaction experience, not a standardized slide deck.
REALTORS® With Designations Earn More
NAR research consistently shows that REALTORS® with designations and certifications earn significantly higher gross income than those without. The ABR is among the most widely held NAR designations — and one of the most directly tied to a specific, high-value client relationship (the buyer).
In Arizona, where the Scottsdale median sale price exceeds $969,000 (Redfin, 2026), even a single additional buyer transaction per year—won because a client chose you over an undesignated competitor—more than covers the cost of the entire designation.
ABR Core Course Overview
The ABR core course is a 2-day, 15-hour program covering the full spectrum of buyer representation practice—from agency relationships and disclosure to negotiation strategy and building a buyer-focused business.
| Format | 2-day classroom course, 8:00am – 5:00pm each day |
| CE Credit | 15 hours total — 12 hours Agency Law + 3 hours Real Estate Legal Issues |
| Cost | $269 |
| Exam | Required for online format only |
| Provider | ASREB — Arizona’s real estate school since 1969 |
Course Topics
- Evolution of Buyer Representation
- Agency Relationships
- Office Policy, Standard of Care & Risk Management
- Agency Disclosure
- Services Provided
- Conflicts of Interest
- Protecting the Buyer
- Building a Buyer Representation Business
- Marketing to Buyers
- Negotiating as a Buyer’s Representative
ABR® Designation Requirements
All four requirements must be completed within three years of passing the ABR core course.
1. Education
- Successful completion of the two-day ABR designation core course
- Successful completion of one ABR elective course. For a full list of elective options, visit the REBAC website
The exam is required for online classes only.
2. Work Experience
Documentation verifying five completed transactions in which you acted solely as a buyer’s representative (no dual agency). Any transactions closed prior to taking the ABR® Designation Course or closed within three years after completing the course are eligible for credit. Documentation required for each transaction:
- Copy of the signed buyer agency agreement OR purchase/sale agreement OR settlement statement/closing disclosure
- Copy of the settlement statement/closing disclosure or letter from your broker verifying that each transaction closed
3. Professional Affiliation
- Membership in good standing in REBAC
- Membership in good standing in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
Exception: International members of REBAC do not have to be members of NAR.
4. Application
- Submit the designation application along with documentation of five completed transactions
Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| ABR core course (ASREB) | $269 |
| REBAC membership — Year 1 | Free |
| REBAC membership — Year 2 | $100 (prorated) |
| REBAC membership — Year 3+ | $110/year |
The ABR pairs well with ASREB’s other buyer-focused professional development offerings. See the full range of designations and certifications available at ASREB, including the Certified Buyer Agent Expert (CBAE)—a 6-hour live course focused on buyer representation in the post-NAR settlement market.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the ABR designation worth it?
- How long does it take to earn the ABR designation?
- What CE credit does the ABR core course provide in Arizona?
- Do I need to be a NAR member to earn the ABR?
- Can transactions closed before the course count toward the ABR?
- When can I start using the ABR® logo?
- What courses count as ABR electives?
Is the ABR designation worth it?
For buyer agents in Arizona, especially post-NAR settlement, yes. Since August 2024, written buyer representation agreements are mandatory before showing homes. The ABR gives you the training to position your value, structure those agreements, and negotiate compensation confidently. NAR data consistently shows designees earn higher gross income than non-designees, and the designation signals credibility to buyers who are now more aware of what they’re signing.
How long does it take to earn the ABR designation?
The core course is 2 days (15 CE hours). You then have 3 years to complete the elective course, 5 qualifying buyer-representative transactions, and maintain REBAC and NAR membership in good standing.
What CE credit does the ABR core course provide in Arizona?
The ABR core course at ASREB provides 15 CE hours: 12 hours of Agency Law credit and 3 hours of Real Estate Legal Issues credit. This satisfies a significant portion of Arizona’s continuing education requirement in a single course.
Do I need to be a NAR member to earn the ABR?
Yes. Active membership in both REBAC and the National Association of REALTORS® is required. REBAC membership begins when you complete the core course — your first year is free. International members of REBAC are not required to hold NAR membership.
Can transactions closed before the course count toward the ABR?
Yes. Any qualifying buyer-representative transactions (no dual agency) closed before the course, or within three years of completing the core course, are eligible. You need documentation for each: a signed buyer agency agreement or purchase contract confirming your role, plus a closing statement verifying the transaction closed.
When can I start using the ABR® logo?
Only after REBAC officially awards you the designation — once all four requirements are verified and complete. You may not use the ABR® designation or logo while requirements are still in progress. REBAC membership (which begins at course completion) is separate from the designation award.
What courses count as ABR electives?
More than a dozen courses qualify as ABR elective options, including programs offered by REBAC, NAR, and NAR affiliates. View the full list of approved elective options at REBAC.net.