What Is an SIOR Designation, and Who Is It For?

Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® (SIOR) designees are commercial specialists in industrial and office markets. They are top-producing professionals and respected industry leaders.

The designation is granted in one of six specialist categories:

  • Industrial (transaction specialist)
  • Office (transaction specialist)
  • Industrial & Office (dual transaction specialist)
  • Sales Management (manages at least 10 sales or leasing agents)
  • Executive Management (manages 100+ agents in three or more offices)
  • Advisory Services (consultant or advisory practitioner)

Benefits of Becoming an SIOR

  • Prestige - Gain respect from your colleagues and clients by earning the highest achievement in your field.
  • Exclusivity - Put yourself in exclusive company with the SIOR designation – held by 3,000 practitioners worldwide.
  • Credibility - The most trusted and sought-after designation in the industry, providing instant recognition to help you win business.
  • Visibility - The SIOR designation distinguishes you within your firm or network, placing you above the rest.
  • Deal Generation - Network with the industry’s best, create long-lasting relationships, and generate more transactions.
  • Professional Development - Relevant, timely education, and best-practice sharing for your competitive edge.
  • Connectivity - A global referral network across 38 countries with online platforms to keep you constantly connected to the best of the best.

How to Earn the SIOR Designation

First Step: Join SIOR

Brokers may select from the two designation categories below to learn more about the stringent requirements and application process for membership.

Brokers who do not yet meet the designation requirements can join as an SIOR Member Associate. Intended for those early in their career with at least one year of experience. Member Associates benefit from professional development, early career resources, mentorship, networking with industry leaders, and opportunities to build business. Learn more about the Member Associate program.

Cost of Candidate Membership

  • Non-refundable Application Fee
    • $175
  • Annual Dues
    • $450

Second Step: Earning the SIOR Designation in North America

Education

Complete one of the following two paths:

1. Complete the Core Components of Commercial Brokerage Coursework through the SIOR Center for Carreer Advancement (CCA):

  • Complete the three core courses:
    • Ethics & Professional Standards
    • Construction & Development
    • Understanding the Lease Agreement
  • Complete three of the following elective courses:
    • Advanced Sales Skills
    • Build-to-Suit Development
    • Consolidating a Business Strategy
    • Introduction to Real Estate Investment and Finance
    • Negotiation Skills
    • Tenant and Landlord Representation
  • Elective credit can also be earned in the following ways:
    • CCIM designation fulfills the elective requirement
    • Completion of up to two CCIM courses: 101, 102, 103, or 104 (each course counts as one elective)
    • Graduate degree in Real Estate, Business or Law from an accredited college or university counts as two electives
    • CPM designation counts as two electives
    • RPA designation counts as two electives
    • FRI designation counts as two electives

Work Experience

  • Industrial, Office, or Industrial/Office (dual) specialists
    • Minimum of five years of documented industrial and/or office real estate brokerage experience
    • Actively engaged as an industrial and/or office real estate broker or salesperson
  • Sales Management specialists
    • Minimum of five years of documented industrial and/or office real estate brokerage experience
    • Active management of 10 or more brokers or salespersons
  • Executive Management specialists
    • Minimum of 10 years of management experience
    • Manage 100+ brokers in three or more locations or have oversight responsibility of commercial real estate network

Volume Requirements

  • Industrial or Office specialists
    • Maintain the minimum production level per year as measured by Gross Fee Income (GFI)pdf and the minimum number of transactions set by your local SIOR chapter.
      • Meet the required GFI amount for three out of the five most recent 12-month periods.
      • Close a minimum of five transactions per year.
      • At least 70% of your GFI must be comprised of industrial and/or office transactions.
  • Industrial & Office (dual) specialists
    • Maintain the minimum production level per year as measured by Gross Fee Income (GFI)pdf and the minimum number of transactions set by your local SIOR chapter.
    • Meet two times the GFI requirement for three out of the five most recent 12-month periods. One half measures industrial GFI; one half measures office GFI.
    • Close a minimum of 10 transactions per year.
  • Sales Management specialists
    • To calculate your GFI requirement, multiply your local chapter’s Gross Fee Income (GFI)pdf by 10 and take 75% of the resulting figure.
    • In three of the past five most recent 12-month periods, the sum of the top 10 industrial and/or office brokers you supervise must meet the annual GFI requirement.
    • At least 70% of the GFI requirement must be comprised of industrial and/or office transactions.

Exam

  • Pass SIOR’s Comprehensive Membership Entrance Exam
  • Pass SIOR’s online ethics course

Professional Affiliation

  • Member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS®
  • Member in good standing of the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®

Letters of Recommendation

  • Submit formal endorsements from two active members of your SIOR chapter who are not members of your firm.

Application

Cost

  • Cost of courses
  • Application fee
    • $175
  • Initiation fee
    • $725
  • Annual Dues
    • $1,280

Second Step: Earning the SIOR Designation Outside of North America

Education

  • Complete SIOR’s online ethics course or hold the RICS designation for five or more years.

Work Experience

  • Have a minimum of five years of documented industrial and/or office real estate brokerage experience
  •  Be actively engaged as an industrial and/or office real estate broker or salesperson.

Volume Requirements

Exam

  • There is no exam requirement for earning the SIOR designation outside North America.

Professional Affiliation

  • Member or Associate Member in good standing of the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®

Letters of Recommendation

  • Submit formal endorsements from two active members. If you don’t know two SIOR members, one endorsement can be from a senior executive within your firm.

Application

  • Submit membership application
  • Provide a current copy of your CV or resume that includes information on your education and coursework, past employment, real estate experience, professional accreditation, and client names.

Cost

  • Cost of courses
  • Non-refundable Application Fee
    • $175
  • Annual dues
    • $610

For more information, visit the SIOR website.

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