Get a GRI as your SAE

 NAR doesn't use the term "lifetime designations" as an official category, but in practice, the GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) is widely recognized as NAR's true "lifetime" designation. 

Register for classes through the MetroTex education calendar.

Here's the full breakdown:

---

NAR Designations vs. Certifications — Maintenance Requirements

🏅 Designations — Require Annual Dues + Active NAR Membership

Most NAR designations must be maintained with annual dues paid to the awarding institute/council:

·         ABR® – Accredited Buyer's Representative

·         CIPS – Certified International Property Specialist

·         CRS – Certified Residential Specialist

·         GREEN – NAR Green Designation

·         RCE – REALTOR® Association Certified Executive

·         SIOR® – Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®

·         ALC – Accredited Land Consultant

·         CPM® – Certified Property Manager

·         CRE® – Counselors of Real Estate

·         RAA – Residential Accredited Appraiser

·         GAA – General Accredited Appraiser

·         PMN – Performance Management Network

·         SRS – Seller Representative Specialist

·         SRES® – Seniors Real Estate Specialist

·         CCIM – Certified Commercial Investment Member

·         CRB – Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager

---

🎓 GRI — The "Lifetime" Designation

The GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) is the one designation widely considered permanent/lifetime — once earned, you keep it as long as you remain an active NAR member in good standing. There are no separate annual dues required specifically for the GRI itself.
The SAE requirement can be fulfilled with the GRI in Texas. 

---

📋 Certifications — No Annual Dues (Just Active NAR Membership)

NAR certifications function similarly to a lifetime designation in that they require no annual renewal fees — only continued NAR membership in good standing:

·         AHWD – At Home With Diversity®

·         e-PRO® – Digital Technology Certification

·         LuxuryHomes

·         REI – Real Estate Investing

·         SFR® – Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource

·         C-RETS – Certified Real Estate Team Specialist

·         HFR – Home Finance Resource

·         MRP – Military Relocation Professional

·         RENE – Real Estate Negotiation Expert

·         Smart Home

·         Digital Marketing: Social Media

·         ISA – Inside Sales Agent

·         PSA – Pricing Strategy Advisor

·         RSPS – Resort & Second Home Property Specialist

---

Bottom line: The GRI is the designation most recognized as "lifetime." NAR certifications as a group also carry no annual fees beyond NAR membership. All other designations require paying annual dues to their respective institute or council to maintain active status.

Texas Real Estate License Renewal — CE Requirements

Licenses renew every 2 years and require a total of 18 hours of CE.

🎯 Check your TREC status.

---

✅ Mandatory Hours — 11 Hours

·         Legal Update I — 4 hours (laws, rules, and updated forms)

·         Legal Update II — 4 hours (ethics, agency, and industry updates)

·         Contract-Related Coursework — 3 hours (TREC-approved contracts course)

These are available as Free On-Demand classes through MetroTex.

---

🔓 Elective Hours — 7 Hours

Choose from any TREC-approved elective courses. Popular topics include:

·         Marketing & technology

·         Negotiations

·         Lead generation

·         Ethics

·         Property management

·         Risk reduction

See the KWNC Free CE class schedule for 2026.

---

⚠️ Additional Requirement for Brokers & Supervisors

If you are a broker who sponsors agents, a designated broker for a business entity, or have been delegated supervisory authority (team leaders and coaches), you must also complete:

·         Broker Responsibility Course — 6 hours (counts as part of your 18 hours, reducing electives to just 1 hour)

---

🆕 First-Time Renewal (Sales Apprentice Education — SAE)

If it's your very first renewal, the rules are different:

·         270 total qualifying real estate course hours are required

·         GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) can be substituted for the SAE requirement (same hours). GRI is the only lifetime designation from NAR.

·         Legal Update I & II must still be completed

·         Broker Responsibility course required if you've been designated a supervisor

---

📌 Good to Know

·         You cannot repeat the same course for CE credit within the same renewal cycle

·         All courses must be TREC-approved

·         Online CE is fully allowed with no hour limits

·         If you miss your deadline, TREC offers a $200 CE Deferral Fee for a 60-day extension

·         Renewing on inactive status does not require CE completion