What the ABR is
A National Association of REALTORS designation for agents who represent buyers, covering the buyer relationship from the first conversation through to the closing table.
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Your Path to Smoother Representation
ABR: Accredited Buyer's Representative Designation
A two-day live course for agents who represent buyers. Taught by a working broker who holds the designation and still writes offers. $295.
12
course hours
Why agents take it now
Buyer representation changed after the 2024 commission settlement. Written agreements and compensation conversations now happen earlier, and this course covers how to handle both.
What comes after class
Steven Desormeaux teaches and holds several designation and certification courses, such as, ABR along with the CRS, GRI, SRES, RENE, MRP, SFR and is a CDEI, and teaches as a working broker rather than a full-time instructor alone. Questions about how this applies in a real transaction get answered from experience.
Coursework then Confidence.
FROM COURSE TO DESIGNATION
What the two days do, and what comes next.
Enroll
Register for an upcoming session and you receive the class details and materials before day one.
Attend both class days
Two consecutive days starting at 9:30 AM Central, taught live with time for questions throughout.
Complete the coursework
Finish the course requirements and you have satisfied the education component of the ABR designation.
Apply through NAR
Submit your application to NAR and maintain membership. Dues and application fees are paid directly to them.
ABR FAQ
Common questions before you enroll.
These answers cover the practical points. Class dates and NAR membership requirements can change, so confirm both before you register.
Is C.E. available for this course?
Yes. Louisiana real estate agents have access to 12 hours of continuing education. Although this course is available to agents from all 50 states, it only has C.E. credit available in Louisiana.
Do I need to be a REALTOR to take this?
You can take the course as any licensed agent. The designation itself requires NAR membership in good standing, so if you are not a member you would need to join before NAR awards it.
Is the $295 all I pay?
The $295 covers the two-day course. NAR charges its own application fee and annual dues for the designation, paid directly to them. We do not collect or mark up those amounts.
Do I have to attend both days?
Yes. The coursework requirement covers both days, and the second day builds directly on the first. If a date does not work, take a later session rather than splitting one.
Can agents outside Louisiana take this course?
Yes. The ABR is a national designation and the course content is not Louisiana-specific, so agents licensed in any state can attend and apply for the designation afterward.
Is this worth it if I mostly list?
It depends on how often you sit on the buyer side. If buyers are a small part of your business, the PSA certification on pricing may return more. If you take buyer clients regularly, this is the stronger choice. Sellers tend to be impressed by how well versed you are with being able to work with buyers. The ABR has been a vital tool in my listing presentations as well. If you want to go deeper on the seller side specifically, the SRS designation covers that ground directly.
READY TO ENROLL
Add the ABR and change how you represent buyers.
Two days, $295, and a process you can use on the next buyer who sits down across from you. Taught by a broker who still does it.