Guidelines for use of CCIM Institute Candidacy

Requirements of Candidacy
You are encouraged to become a candidate and take advantage of the benefits and services of the Institute at the time you register for your first course. Candidacy is required in order to qualify for the Fast Track Program, submit a Portfolio of Qualifying Experience, take the Comprehensive Examination, and be awarded the CCIM designation. Candidacy becomes effective after submitting the Application for Candidacy along with the annual fee and successful completion of a CCIM course.

Annual Candidacy Dues
All dues are payable in U.S. dollars only. 

• U.S. members — $595
• Canadian members — $395
• Outside the U.S. and Canada — $195

Guidelines for Using Institute Candidacy
Candidate members who are pursuing the CCIM designation may not display the CCIM designation or logo, and may ONLY refer to candidacy status in a portfolio to prospective employers. Membership in a local CCIM Chapter does not in any way provide any additional rights or opportunities to use the CCIM logo or trademark.

No mention of candidacy status may be made on business stationary, in advertising, websites, brochures, contracts, documents, promotional materials, or any other publications. A candidate may not refer to themselves as a “CCIM candidate” or by any other means imply it.

Inappropriate use of Institute candidacy is defined as:

• A person who references themselves as a CCIM designee or CCIM candidate and/or uses the CCIM logo on communication or marketing—whether it is verbal, written, electronic, or for personal business—prior to passing the CCIM Comprehensive Exam and/or payment of annual dues to the CCIM Institute and being certified by the CCIM Institute.
• A person who uses the CCIM logo in their company or personal business and is not a CCIM designee because of non-payment of dues or failure to pass the Comprehensive Exam.

Appropriate use of Institute candidacy is defined as:

• A person who references their candidacy status only in a portfolio to a perspective employer. For example:
  
  "Your Name, title, company, city, has become a candidate member of the CCIM Institute. Last Name is pursuing the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation conferred by the organization." 

Ethical Practice
As members of the Institute, candidates and designees are subject to the CCIM Institute Code of Ethics and Professional Standards policies and procedures. Complaints against Institute candidates who are REALTORS® may be processed in accordance with the NAR Code of Ethics through the local REALTOR® organization. Complaints against Institute candidates who are not REALTORS® are made directly to the Institute. Contact the Professional Standards Officer at (800) 621-7027, ext 4472, or email membership@ccim.com.

Misuse of the Designation
In order to protect the integrity of the CCIM designation, misuse of the designation by candidates is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action, including recourse by the Institute and the National Association of REALTORS® to state real estate licensing agencies. Report designation misuse to misuse@ccim.com.

Loss of Candidacy Status
Institute candidates lose their status by not maintaining membership in the Institute. In addition, their status may be suspended or terminated by the Institute for cause and/or criminal and other unlawful activity, including violations as set forth in the CCIM Institute Bylaws (111.8).

Reinstatement of Candidacy
Candidacy may be reinstated by submitting a new application and $645, which includes the annual dues of $595 and a $50 application fee. Any former candidate who is reinstated is subject to the curriculum and designation rules in effect at the time of reinstatement.