The National CHP designation is a nationwide education-based certification program, sponsored and overseen by the National Real Estate Investor’s Association, and designed to recognize the high level of knowledge and professionalism among the designation holders.
Why obtain the National CHP designation?
Only persons completing the educational requirements will be permitted to hold themselves out to the public as a Certified Housing Professional. The designee will be recognized in the form of an award certificate,pin and the right to use the designation. He or she should recognize that having a basic education in the topics outlined below will increase his or her ability to reach his goals in real estate investment.
In addition, REIA and the CHP program raise the investors level of professionalism and status in the eyes of the public and government. It also aids in encouraging legislators to think of educated investors as a larger group for political action. Other tangible benefits, including discounts on courses and educational materials, will be available as the number of graduates grows.
How will I obtain these hours?
These hours may be obtained through local association meetings and seminars or through courses taught outside of the local groups. All outside courses and seminars must meet the following requirements: they must be taught live or online; they must be pre-approved by the National CHP committee; and they must provide a certificate of attendance acceptable to the National CHP committee.
Course of Study
The course of study will be divided into 42 clock hours of core courses and 18 hours of elective topics for a total of 60 hours of formal education. The core topics are as follows:
REIA FOUR CORE Courses
View All CHP courses
Appraisal 2.00 Hours
Including formal appraisal methods (cost, income, and replacement method), PACE instruction, how to compare properties, etc.
Contract Law 3.00 Hours
Including basic contract law; using contracts and clauses to protect yourself, developing contracts such as leases, options, purchase contracts, etc. for the real estate investment business
EPA Regulations 1.00 Hours
Including regulations affecting real estate investment such as lead paint regulations, wetlands regulations, underground storage tank regulations, Environmental Quality Zone regulations, etc.
Ethics 1.00 Hours
Including enacting and actual use of national, state, local, and personal business ethics statements, policies and practices
Fair housing Law 2.00 Hours
Including federal, state and local fair housing regulations
Federal Regulations 1.00 Hours
Including regulations affecting real estate investment such as lead paint regulations, wetlands regulations, underground storage tank regulations, Environmental Quality Zone regulations, etc.
Finance 6.00 Hours
Including conventional financing, FHA/VA financing, owner financing of all types; comparing financing, offering financing
Inspections 2.00 Hours
Including pre- and post- purchase inspections and pre- and post- move-out inspections of properties held.
Insurance – liability 1.00 Hours
Including why and how much
Insurance – property 1.00 Hours
Including what type of property insurance is appropriate for investment property; negotiating for the best rates and renter’s insurance
Insurance – worker’s compensation 1.00 Hours
Including when, how and for whom to carry worker’s compensation insurance
Local Regulations 2.00 Hours
Including zoning and building codes.
Management 4.00 Hours
Including record keeping; dealing with tenants; maximizing cash flow; and others
Marketing 2.00 Hours
Including how to market properties for sale and for rent; how to market buying services
Negotiation 3.00 Hours
Including negotiating with sellers, buyers, renters, contractors and vendors, banks, etc.
Purchasing 2.00 Hours
Including finding deals and calculating profitability
Rehab – Classroom 2.00 Hours
Including estimation, which projects will pay for themselves, etc.
Rehab – Hands-on 2.00 Hours
Including actual hands-on opportunities and demonstrations
Tax law (income) 1.00 Hours
Including calculating and minimizing taxes, and tax laws as they affect the real estate investor
Tax law (other) 1.00 Hours
Including property taxes, 1031 tax deferred trades, etc.
Tenant-landlord Law 2.00 Hours
Including landlords’ and tenants’ responsibilities, evictions, etc.
Elective Items
Foreclosures 1.50 Hours
Whether you’re Starting Out, Wholesaling, or Structuring Creative Finance Solutions you need to know the Foreclosure Process inside and out.
Land Trusts 8.00 Hours
Land Trusts are an essential tool for asset protection and privacy.
Lease Options 8.00 Hours
Learn to buy and sell real estate with little or no money down.
Marketing 2.0 1.50 Hours
Seller Financing 1.50 Hours
Wholesaling 8.00 Hours
Learn the many different facets of wholesaling the right and ethical ways.
The remaining 18 hours may include further education in any or all of the above topics, as selected by the National CHP candidate.
Continuing education to maintain National CHP designation
Once the National CHP designation has been obtained, designees must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years in order to maintain the designation. These hours are elective and may be used by the designee to continue his or her education as he sees fit.
The National Real Estate Investor’s Association is dedicated to making this program a success. It is understood by the committee that the program will evolve as time goes on, and that time will pass before the local groups, their members, and the public at large recognize the value of this education. National REIA believes that the concept of creating well-educated investors is important in the fight to make our industry a respected one. We also believe that the ability to present our members as dedicated, educated professionals will aid in the political action to which we are dedicated. While this education is already the mission of the local associations, we hope that a nationwide designation will further this goal by making legislators, regulators, and the public at large recognize that we are not simply “landlords”, but informed business persons who make an ongoing contribution to our communities.
