There are more than one dozen real estate designation and certification programs which offer accredited training for REALTORS® who want to advance their career in real estate. These programs, many of which are presented by the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, provide valuable instruction on new real estate business practices, emerging niche markets, and specialty areas of the profession. Surveys show that agents and brokers who hold professional real estate designations typically are more productive and earn more income than those practitioners who do not hold designations. In addition, real estate designations can provide you with a competitive edge in your market by helping to boost your professional image, not just among consumers, but also among colleagues who tend to make referrals to others who share similar designations.