CCIM Institute

What CCIM Institute does

CCIM Institute is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1967 (per firmographics; a separate source cites 1969) and headquartered at 430 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. It delivers the CCIM Designation, described in its own materials as the leading credential in commercial real estate, through a standardized four-course core curriculum (CI 101–104), a comprehensive exam, a portfolio-of-qualifying-experience requirement, and continuing education. The organization serves approximately 9,000 active designees and 4,000 candidates, totaling more than 13,000 members across 59 chapters in 30+ countries; collectively, members transact an estimated $200+ billion in commercial real estate annually and designees average 22 years of industry experience.

The core product set extends beyond the designation to include the Robert L. Ward Center for Commercial Real Estate Studies (topical professional development, including a Development Specialty Track and negotiation training), the Site To Do Business (STDB) technology platform for market and financial analysis, the CCIM Connect members-only networking forum (powered by Higher Logic), and the CCIM Property Listing Service. Underlying technology is delivered through a MatrixLMS-based eCampus learning management system, the Higher Logic community platform, Google Vision for event badge photo verification, and PCI/DSS-compliant third-party payment processing. Member-facing sub-brands include the CCIM Pin credential, CCIM Connections magazine, CCIM Technologies, CCIM Connect, and The CCIM Foundation (an affiliated nonprofit for scholarships).

Revenue is generated through seven identified streams: membership dues (recurring), designation program fees (CI 101–104 courses at $1,299 member / $2,299 non-member plus exam and portfolio fees), professional development courses ($229–$389 member / $269–$429 non-member), events and conferences (Spring Forum, Fall Forum, trade shows), corporate partnership programs (Preferred Partnerships, Bulk Course Licensing with 10-course minimums, LMS Integration, Vouchers), sponsorships and advertising in CCIM Connections magazine, and the Membership Advantage Provider Program (vendor referral fees). Distribution spans online self-paced eCampus, online instructor-led courses, classroom delivery via 59 chapters, direct enterprise sales for corporate partnerships, and event-based engagement. Customer segments are horizontal across CRE brokers (47% of members), investors/developers, corporate real estate executives, lenders/appraisers/attorneys, and residential agents transitioning to commercial.

Name

CCIM Institute

Legal name

The CCIM Institute

Website

https://ccim.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CCIM Institute is a nonprofit professional membership organization that delivers the CCIM Designation—the leading commercial real estate credential—through a four-course curriculum, comprehensive exam, and ongoing professional development, serving 13,000+ members across 59 chapters in 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Real Estate Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Program & Portfolio Management Certifications (EDAAANAB)

Keywords

• Commercial real estate education
• Professional certification programs
• Real estate designation courses
• Membership association services
• Commercial real estate analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to designation curriculum, professional development courses, technology tools (STDB, CCIM Connect), chapter networking, publications, and member benefits.
2. Designation Program Fees: Fees associated with pursuing the CCIM Designation, including course registration (CI 101-104 core courses), comprehensive exam, and portfolio submission.
3. Professional Development Courses: Revenue from topical courses offered through the Robert L. Ward Center for Commercial Real Estate Studies, including Real Estate Development track, Financial Investment Tools, Negotiations, and other specialty courses. Courses priced at $229-$389 for members and $269-$429 for non-members.
4. Events and Conferences: Registration fees for Spring Forum, Fall Forum, trade shows, and leadership training events.
5. Corporate Partnership Programs: Revenue from strategic partnerships, bulk course licensing, LMS integration, voucher programs, and preferred partnership arrangements with organizations.
6. Sponsorship and Advertising: Advertising opportunities in CCIM Connections magazine, event sponsorships, and media kit placements reaching 13,000+ members.
7. Membership Advantage Provider Program: Program fees from vendors and service providers offering discounts to CCIM members, including quarterly listings and portal access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CCIM Institute is a nonprofit professional membership organization that provides the CCIM Designation, an industry-recognized certification for commercial real estate professionals. It delivers structured education courses (CI 100–400 series), the CCIM Designation Program, and supporting technology tools such as the Site To Do Business (STDB) analytics platform to commercial real estate brokers, investors, lenders, appraisers, and corporate real estate executives.

Product overview

The CCIM Institute offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on the CCIM Designation Program, which provides professional certification for commercial real estate professionals through coursework (CI 101-104 core curriculum), comprehensive examination, and continuing education. Education is delivered through the Robert L. Ward Center for Commercial Real Estate Studies, which offers topical professional development courses including real estate development specialty tracks (Transportation and Accessibility, Land Packaging, Market Studies and Marketing Strategies, Physical Improvements) and negotiation training. Technology offerings include Site To Do Business (STDB) platform for market analysis and valuations, CCIM Property Listing Service, and CCIM Connect members-only networking forum. Corporate partnership programs include Strategic Partnerships (Preferred Partnership, Bulk Licensing, LMS Integration, Vouchers) and Member Advantage Provider Program for member discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCIM Pin: The prestigious CCIM Designation pin awarded to professionals who complete advanced coursework in financial and market analysis
• CCIM Connect
• CCIM Connections (magazine)
• Robert L. Ward Center for Commercial Real Estate Studies
• CCIM Technologies

Products and services

• CCIM Designation Program
• CI 100–400 Series Education Courses
• Robert L. Ward Center for Commercial Real Estate Studies
• Site To Do Business (STDB)
• CCIM Property Listing Service
• CCIM Connect
• Corporate Partnership Program
• Member Advantage Provider Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 42% more transactions annually than typical brokerage specialists
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Higher LogiccoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party vendor providing the professional networking platform (CCIM Connect) for members-only online forum and volunteer management. CCIM shares member personal information including name, contact details, bio, certifications, and professional information with Higher Logic for platform operation.
• CCIM FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated foundation supporting the CCIM Institute mission through scholarships and educational programs. Listed on the website as a key affiliate.
• CCIM TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationAffiliate providing technology infrastructure including Site To Do Business platform and other technology solutions for members.
• Real Estate Training Institute (Jamaica)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandmark strategic partnership announced April 30, 2026 to deliver CCIM Designation courses and professional development programs in Jamaica.
• RE/MAX CommercialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• Coldwell Banker Commercial (CBC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• Keller Williams CommercialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• Lee and AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• Avison YoungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• NAI GlobalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• PargominorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• Premiere Property GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.
• CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner logo displayed on website homepage, indicating co-marketing or referral relationship.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Appraisal Institute: Leading global professional association for real estate appraisers offering the MAI and AI-GRS designations. Comparable as a designation-driven CRE professional society with coursework, chapter network, and member tools.
• Counselors of Real Estate (CRE): Invitation-only society of senior CRE advisors offering the CRE credential. Comparable as an elite, designation-based CRE professional society with a global network and member-only publications/exchanges.
• BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association): Trade association for commercial real estate building owners and managers offering credentials like RPA and BOMA 360. Comparable as a CRE professional society delivering designations, education, advocacy, and chapter programming.
• IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management): International association for real estate management professionals offering the CPM, ARM, and ACC credentials. Comparable as a designation-based CRE professional society with education, membership tiers, and chapter-based delivery.
• NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association): Leading trade association for CRE developers, owners, and investors. Comparable as a CRE membership organization with education programs, conferences, research, and a strong member network serving overlapping personas with CCIM.
• SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors): SIOR is the most direct comparable — a global professional designation society for office and industrial real estate specialists offering a similar designation-based membership model with chapter structure, coursework, and member-only deal network. Competes with CCIM for the same CRE broker persona.

Broad incumbents

• CoStar Group: Dominant CRE data, analytics, and marketplace platform. Comparable as a technology-enabled CRE intelligence and transactions platform (Loopnet, Apartments.com), overlapping with CCIM's STDB and Property Listing Service offerings but at vastly greater scale.
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors): Global professional body for property and real estate professionals offering the MRICS/FRICS chartered surveyor designation. Comparable as a more internationally entrenched, broader real estate designation, but its scope extends well beyond CRE investment.
• National Association of Realtors (NAR): Largest US trade association for real estate professionals, primarily residential. Overlaps with CCIM on residential-to-commercial career-changer segment and offers the CCIM-adjacent commercial-focused education through NAR's commercial resources.

Emerging players

• Crexi: CRE marketplace and data platform built for brokers, investors, and lenders. Comparable as a modern, tech-forward CRE intelligence and dealmaking platform competing with STDB and CCIM's Property Listing Service for member mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ccim
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CCIMInstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/cciminstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ccim-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/ccim
• TikToktiktok.com/@ccim_institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CCIM Institute