In the real estate industry, mere knowledge of sales and leasing brokerage is not enough to provide more advanced and specialized services to clients.
In recent years, as real estate transactions have become more complex and investment needs have diversified, comprehensive consulting skills in a wide range of fields such as tax, finance, construction, and legal are in demand.
Against this backdrop, the "Certified Real Estate Consulting Master " certification has been attracting attention.
At INA&Associates, we realize the importance of this certification as we consult with our clients on a variety of real estate matters on a daily basis.
In this article, we will explain in detail the outline of the Master of Real Estate Consulting, how to obtain it, and how to utilize it, in an easy-to-understand manner for the general public.
We will provide useful information for those seeking to advance their careers in the real estate industry and for those seeking more specialized services.
Basic Overview of Real Estate Consulting Master
Official Name and Implementing Agency
The Certified Real Estate Consulting Master is a certification system administered by the Real Estate Information Network Center.
This qualification is positioned as an accredited qualification based on the "Registration and Certification Business" registered with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in accordance with the Enforcement Regulations of the Real Estate Specified Joint Enterprise Law.
As a quasi-official qualification based on laws and regulations, it is highly reliable and authoritative in the real estate industry, and not merely a private qualification.
Background and Purpose of the Qualification
The Master Real Estate Consulting System was established to improve the professionalism of the real estate industry and to protect consumers.
In the past, real estate transactions were centered on brokerage of sales and rentals, but today, the environment surrounding real estate has changed drastically.
In order to respond appropriately to these issues, a wide range of specialized knowledge and practical experience is required.
The purpose of this certification system is to improve the quality of services in the real estate industry as a whole by certifying human resources with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform such advanced consulting services.
Differences from Other Real Estate Qualifications
While a real estate transaction professional is responsible for basic real estate transaction tasks, a real estate consulting master can perform more advanced and specialized consulting services.
While a real estate transaction professional's work is mainly limited to brokerage of sales and rentals and explanation of important matters, a real estate consulting master can provide comprehensive advisory services such as effective use of real estate, investment analysis, inheritance planning, and tax consultation.
In addition, while real estate appraisers specialize in the evaluation of real estate prices, real estate consulting masters can provide comprehensive consulting services that include not only evaluation but also subsequent utilization and investment strategies.
Thus, the Master of Real Estate Consulting is positioned as a certification that proves more advanced and practical consulting skills based on the knowledge of existing real estate-related qualifications.
Qualifications and Registration Requirements
National Qualifications Required to Take the Exam
In order to take the Real Estate Consulting Skills Test, you must be registered with one of the following three national qualifications.
These qualifications ensure that only those who already have a certain level of expertise and work experience in the real estate industry are eligible to take the exam.
| National Qualifications | Registration Requirements | Main Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Agents | Registered Qualifications | Real estate brokerage for sales and rentals, explanation of important matters |
| Real Estate Appraiser | Registered | Real estate price evaluation, appraisal services |
| First Class Registered Architect | Registered | Architectural design and construction supervision |
Work Experience Requirements
It is not enough to have obtained the national qualifications to be eligible to take the examination; work experience is also an important requirement.
However, even if you have between three and five years of work experience, you can qualify for the examination by completing the training course designated by the Real Estate Information Center (RIPC).
This practical experience requirement ensures that only those who possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills cultivated through actual work can aim to acquire the certification.
Registration Procedures and Renewal System
After passing the exam, you need to go through the registration process in order to actually work as a "Certified Real Estate Consulting Master".
The requirements for registration are as follows.
Main requirements for registration
- Passing the real estate consulting skills test
- At least 5 years of work experience as a registered national certification holder to be eligible to take the examination.
- Completion of a designated training course if the working experience is more than 3 years but less than 5 years.
Renewal System
The registration of a real estate consulting master is required to be renewed every five years.
The purpose of this is to keep the knowledge and skills up-to-date in response to changes in the legal system and market environment of the real estate industry.
Failure to meet renewal requirements will result in the loss of registration, making this a certification system that requires continuous self-improvement.
This renewal system is designed to ensure the continued professionalism and credibility of the certification holder.
Examination Content and Pass Rate
Examination Structure and Contents
The Real Estate Consulting Skills Test consists of two parts : a written exam and a multiple-choice exam.
Details of the Multiple Choice Test
- Duration: 2 hours
- Number of questions: 50
- Score: 100 points maximum
- Format: Four-choice (mark-sensing)
The multiple-choice test covers a wide range of basic, specialized, and general knowledge necessary to accurately perform real estate consulting.
Questions cover a wide range of topics including real estate laws and regulations, taxation, finance, construction, and economics, and include advanced topics not covered in the real estate transaction examinations.
Details of the written exam
- Examination duration: 2 hours
- Composition of subjects: 3 required subjects and 1 elective subject, for a total of 4 subjects
- Score distribution: 100 points maximum
The descriptive examination assesses analytical, proposal, and expressive skills required in actual consulting work.
The required subjects test the basic methods and concepts of real estate consulting, while the elective subjects require in-depth knowledge in the candidate's area of specialization.
Passing Criteria and Difficulty Level
The standard for passing the exam is to obtain a certain number of points out of a total of 200 points in the multiple-choice and essay type examinations.
Although specific passing scores are not announced, it is considered important to achieve a well-balanced score on both tests.
Pass Rates in Recent Years
Pass rates for the Real Estate Consulting Skills Test have been as follows
| Year | Number of examinees | Number of Successful Candidates | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2024 | 1,034 | 432 | 41.8 |
| In 2023 | 1,223 persons | 529 persons | 43.3 |
| In 2022 | 1,323 persons | 538 persons | 40.7 |
| In 2021 | 1,156 persons | 487 persons | 42.1 |
| Year 2020 | 1,298 persons | 551 persons | 42.4 |
Analysis of Difficulty Level
The 40-45% pass rate appears high when compared to the pass rate for the Real Estate Trader exam (approximately 15-17%), but there is an important context to this.
High quality of examinees
Candidates for the Real Estate Consulting Skills Test are limited to those who have already obtained a national license as a real estate agent, real estate appraiser, or first-class architect, and who also have at least five years of work experience.
In other words, the overall level of examinees is very high, and since examinees have already acquired basic real estate knowledge, the pass rate is relatively high.
Sophistication of Examination Content
The content of the examination is not mere memorization of legal knowledge, but rather tests the ability to apply and make judgments that are necessary for actual consulting work.
In particular, the written exam requires the ability to logically describe analyses and proposals for specific cases, so practical experience and a deep understanding of the subject matter are essential.
Necessity of Continuous Study
The real estate industry is subject to frequent changes in legal systems and market conditions, so it is necessary to keep up to date with the latest information.
In preparing for the exam, it is important not only to study past exam questions, but also to understand the latest legal revisions and market trends.
In this way, the Real Estate Consulting Skills Test is an exam that requires a higher level of expertise and practical skills than the pass rate indicates.
Advantages of certification and how to use it
Legal Status and Authority
The Certified Real Estate Consulting Master is not just a private qualification, but a quasi-official qualification with a clear position in several laws and regulations.
Legal Status
| Name of Law | Position | Specific Authority and Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Specified Joint Enterprise Act | Qualification requirements for business administrator | Can be a business manager of a real estate specified joint enterprise (also requires a real estate licensed real estate broker license) |
| Real Estate Investment Advisory Business Registration Regulations | Knowledge Examination Criteria for Key Employees | Fulfill the knowledge requirements for key employees in the real estate investment advisory business |
| Financial Instruments and Exchange Law | Personnel Requirements | Satisfies the personnel requirements for conducting real estate related specific investment management business. |
These legal positions allow real estate consulting masters to engage in more advanced and specialized work beyond the general real estate brokerage business.
Effects on Career Development
Proof of Expertise
The Real Estate Consulting Master certification is an objective proof of advanced expertise and practical ability in the real estate industry.
It contributes greatly to gaining the trust of clients as well as improving your reputation among your peers and related industries.
Expansion of Business Scope
In addition to the conventional brokerage services for sales, purchase, and leasing, we will be able to provide the following high value-added services.
- Real estate investment consulting
- Inheritance measures and business succession support
- Proposals for effective use of real estate
- Asset management advisory
- Real estate securitization
Advantages in changing jobs and becoming independent
When changing jobs in the real estate industry, a Master of Real Estate Consulting qualification is a great advantage.
In particular, real estate investment companies, real estate consulting companies, and real estate departments of financial institutions tend to highly value this certification.
It is also an important factor for those seeking to start their own business, as it demonstrates a high level of expertise, and contributes greatly to gaining clients and building trust.
Impact on Annual Income
Higher average annual salary
According to job sites and industry surveys, the average annual income of a real estate consulting master is around 6-7 million yen.
This is about 1 to 2 million yen higher than the average annual salary of a typical real estate sales person.
Income Opportunities Based on Pay-for-Performance
In most cases, real estate consulting services employ a performance-based compensation system.
Successful completion of high-value real estate transactions and complex consulting projects can lead to compensation that far exceeds normal brokerage commissions.
Expanding Income by Starting Your Own Business
There are many cases in which a person who started his or her own business after obtaining a license has achieved an annual income of 10 million yen or more.
Particularly in the fields of real estate consulting for high-net-worth individuals and real estate strategy support for corporations, it is possible to earn high fees.
Possibility of starting your own business
Opening a consulting office
It is possible to open an independent real estate consulting office by utilizing the real estate consulting master certification.
Unlike the traditional real estate brokerage business, consulting services do not require a storefront and can be opened with a relatively small initial investment.
Specialization in specialized fields
Differentiation can be achieved by providing consulting services specializing in specific fields, such as inheritance strategies, real estate investment, and corporate real estate strategies.
Cooperation with Other Professional Businesses
By collaborating with other professional services such as tax accountants, lawyers, judicial scriveners, and architects, we can provide one-stop services to improve customer satisfaction and increase revenue.
At INA&Associates, we emphasize collaboration with various professionals in order to provide more advanced services to our clients, and the Master of Real Estate Consulting qualification is an important element in facilitating such collaboration.
Conclusion
Value and Future Prospects of the Qualification
The Certified Master of Real Estate Consulting is one of the highest level professional certifications in the real estate industry.
It is highly regarded both within and outside the industry as a certification that proves not only the acquisition of knowledge but also the practical skills required for actual consulting work.
Growing Social Needs
The need for advanced real estate consulting services is expected to expand further in the future due to changes in the social environment, such as the declining birthrate and aging population, the increasing complexity of inheritance issues, and the diversification of real estate investments.
In particular, demand for highly specialized consultants is continuously increasing in areas such as asset management for high-net-worth individuals and support for corporate real estate strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What should I do if I do not meet the qualifications to take the exam?
A1. In order to take the Real Estate Consulting Skills Test, you must be registered with one of the following national qualifications: licensed real estate agent, licensed real estate appraiser, or licensed first-class architect.
If you do not have one of these qualifications, please first aim to obtain the appropriate national qualification.
The easiest certification to obtain is the Real Estate Transaction Qualification.
You can qualify for the exam by passing the real estate transaction exam held once a year, completing two years of work experience or a practical training course, registering, and then gaining at least five years of work experience in the real estate business.
Q2: How does the difficulty level of the exam compare to other real estate qualifications?
A2. The pass rate for the Real Estate Consulting Skills Test is around 40-45%, which seems high compared to the real estate transaction exam (15-17%) and the real estate appraiser exam (35% for the short answer type and 14% for the essay type).
However, it is necessary to take into consideration that the overall level of examinees is very high, as examinees are limited to professionals who have already obtained national certification and have at least five years of work experience.
The questions are not simple rote memorization questions, but are mainly practical application questions that are relevant to practical work, so appropriate preparation is required.
Q3: How much of an increase in annual income can I expect after obtaining the certification?
A3: The average annual salary of a real estate consulting master is 6-7 million yen, which is 1 to 2 million yen higher than that of a general real estate sales person.
However, annual income varies greatly depending on the company you work for, the scale of the projects you are in charge of, and your personal sales ability.
There are many cases in which independent salespeople or those who handle high-value deals for wealthy clients have achieved annual incomes of 10 million yen or more.
What is important is the field in which you will demonstrate your expertise after obtaining your license.
Q4. What happens if I forget to renew my registration?
A4. The registration of a Master of Real Estate Consulting is required to be renewed every five years, and if you fail to follow the renewal procedures, your registration will expire.
If your registration expires, you will no longer be able to use the name "Certified Real Estate Consulting Master.
However, it is possible to re-register within a certain period of time after the expiration of the registration, provided that the renewal requirements are met.
Renewal requirements include continuous participation in training and continuing work experience, so it is important to be prepared for renewal on a regular basis.
Daisuke Inazawa
Representative Director of INA&Associates Inc. Based in Osaka, Tokyo, and Kanagawa, he is engaged in real estate sales, leasing, and management. He provides services based on his extensive experience in the real estate industry. Based on the philosophy that “human resources are a company's most important asset,” he places great importance on human resource development. He continues to take on the challenge of creating sustainable corporate value.
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