At Platinum Top 50, we believe great agents never stop growing. Production tells us how an agent is performing today, but designations and certifications tell us something just as important: that an agent is investing in the skills, knowledge, and professionalism that will carry their business, and their clients, forward.

That's why Designations make up part of the PT50 scoring process, alongside Production, Community Involvement, and Industry Involvement. Below, we're breaking down exactly which designations and certifications count toward your application, and why they matter more than ever in today's real estate landscape.

Why Designations and Certifications Matter

Real estate is a profession built on trust. When a client is making one of the biggest financial decisions of their life, they want to know the person guiding them has gone above and beyond the minimum licensing requirement.

Designations and certifications are a signal, to clients, to colleagues, and to the industry at large, that an agent has taken the extra step. They represent hours of coursework, tested expertise, and a specific commitment to a craft, whether that's negotiation, luxury marketing, buyer representation, or affordable housing access.

For the REALTOR® community, widespread investment in designations does more than build individual resumes. It elevates the perception of the profession as a whole. It tells the public that real estate isn't just a transaction: it's a practice, refined through ongoing education and specialization. Every agent who earns a designation raises the bar a little higher for everyone else, reinforcing that REALTORS® are professionals who take their craft seriously.

That's precisely why PT50 rewards this kind of investment in our scoring model… because agents who are willing to grow are the same agents who deliver an exceptional experience for their clients and their communities.

How Designations Fit Into the PT50 Application

Our scoring process is intentionally transparent and data-driven, built to honor the whole agent, not just their production numbers. Applications are evaluated across four categories:

• Production – 60%

• Community Involvement – 25%

• Designations – 7.5%

• Industry Involvement – 7.5%

All activity is evaluated within the official scoring period of September 1 through August 31.

For the Designations category specifically:

• 1 point is awarded per designation earned.

• A designation must be actively held as of August 31 to count toward the current cycle — it does not need to have been earned within this calendar year or PT50 year. Designations earned in prior years and still held count just as much as ones earned recently.

• If submitting as a team, only designations held by the Team Leader are counted.

PT50 recognizes the full list of designations and certifications below.

The Full List of PT50-Recognized Designations & Certifications

1. ABR – Accredited Buyer's Representative

2. AHWD – At Home With Diversity

3. ALC – Accredited Land Consultant

4. ALHS – Accredited Luxury Home Specialist

5. C2EX – Commitment to Excellence

6. C-RETS – Certified Real Estate Team Specialist

7. CCIM – Certified Commercial Investment Member

8. CDPE – Certified Distressed Property Expert

9. CHMS – Certified Home Marketing Specialist

10. CIPS – Certified International Property Specialist

11. CLHMS – Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

12. CNE – Certified Negotiation Expert

13. CPM – Certified Property Manager

14. CRB – Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager

15. CRE – Counselor of Real Estate

16. CRS – Certified Residential Specialist

17. CSP – Certified New Home Sales Professional

18. e-PRO – Digital Marketing Certification

19. GAA – General Accredited Appraiser

20. GREEN – NAR's Green Designation

21. GRI – Graduate, REALTOR® Institute

22. Million Dollar Guild

23. MRP – Military Relocation Professional

24. PMN – Performance Management Network

25. PSA – Pricing Strategy Advisor

26. RAA – Residential Accredited Appraiser

27. RCE – REALTOR® Association Certified Executive

28. RENE – Real Estate Negotiation Expert

29. RSPS – Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist

30. SFR – Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource

31. SIOR – Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®

32. SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist

33. SRS – Seller Representative Specialist

34. TACS – Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist

35. TAHS – Texas Affordable Housing Specialist

36. TRLS – Texas Residential Leasing Specialist

37. TRPM – Texas Residential Property Manager

38. TRRS – Texas Risk Reduction Specialist

A Well-Rounded Approach to Excellence

The Platinum Top 50 scoring system was built to identify more than just top producers. We recognize agents who perform at a high level in their business, invest in their education and growth, give back generously to their communities, and lead within the industry.

Because at the end of the day, success in real estate isn't just about numbers… it's about impact. Every designation on this list represents another way our applicants are showing up for their clients, their communities, and their profession.

PT50 reserves the right to make modifications to the scoring process as the program evolves. This information is accurate as of the publish date above, and previously circulated information about the program prior to this date is deemed outdated.