NAA Designations & Classes

Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI)
The professional designation awarded to practicing auctioneers who meet the experiential, educational and ethical standards set by the NAA Education Institute. In order to be granted the CAI designation, auctioneer scholars must have been practicing full-time auctioneers for at least two year (prior to attending the institute), attend all three years of CAI with more than 120 classroom hours, complete all special projects and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
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Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate (AARE)
The professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to qualified real estate auctioneers who meet the educational and experiential requirements of the Institute and who adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice. In order to be designated with the AARE, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 32 classroom hours, a detailed written auction summary report, proof of at least 10 real estate auctions, and 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
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Auction Marketing Management (AMM)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers understand today’s marketing, both technology-based and traditional. To attain the AMM designation, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 24 classroom hours, complete a custom auction summary report based on knowledge from the designation course, and 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
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Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute designed to teach professional auctioneers the planning techniques that create successful benefit auctions. BAS auctioneers learn marketing skills and create a business strategy to build their clientele and profits. In order to be designated with the BAS, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 21 classroom hours, a detailed written auction summary report, proof of at least six benefit auctions and 24 hours of continuing education every three years.  
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Contract Auction Specialist (CAS)
Awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help Contract Auctioneers learn successful practices to treat the work they do as a business. This two-day course covers marketing, sales, professionalism, and money management including the tax and insurance implications of working for yourself. To achieve the CAS designation, attendees must pass the prerequisite exam or hold another NAA Designation, complete the course in its entirety, and submit four evaluations from a contract auction.
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Certified Estate Specialist (CES)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers understand how to properly conduct and deal with the settling of estates. The course also educates professional auctioneers on working with family members and dealing with lawyers and accountants. In order to be designated with the CES, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 21 classroom hours and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
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Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA)
The professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to qualified property appraisers who meet the educational and experiential requirements of the Institute and who adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice. In order to be designated with the GPPA, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 35 classroom hours, a detailed written appraisal report and proof of at least two affidavits of appraisals. This designation also requires 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
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Master Personal Property Appraiser (MPPA)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers learn the responsibilities of appraising assets. Designees are taught to conduct a complete and appropriate appraisal, as well as taught to know the various factors that affect the value of appraised items. MPPA designees specialize in one or more of the following areas: antiques & estates, plant machinery & equipment, construction & agricultural equipment or small business valuation. In order to be granted an MPPA designation, the auctioneer must already be credentialed with the GPPA.
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Effective Auction Selling (EAS)
Effectively “selling” your auction involves more than just being a good salesperson. This two-day class will help you develop an effective sales strategy and learn how to execute that strategy for increased success. You will learn key skills in identifying target markets, setting sales goals, prospecting, overcoming objections, closing the deal, selling the process, re-selling the client and more. Understanding the psychology of selling with an emphasis on auction selling skills will increase your ability to sell successfully in various situations.
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Interpersonal Communications for Auction Professionals (ICAP)
Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages. The two-day class will provide participants an opportunity to enhance their interpersonal communications skills with techniques and opportunities for insight and self-awareness through educational, situational and practical exercises. Proper use and knowledge of these skills will positively affect your negotiations with clients, presentation skills, auctioneering and competition strategies.
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Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is the generally recognized ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession in the United States. USPAP is updated every two years so that appraisers have the information they need to deliver unbiased and thoughtful opinions of value.

To become a certified personal property appraiser in the United States, appraisers must take the 15-Hour National USPAP Course (or its equivalent). This is also a requirement to earn your GPPA designation. Once certified, personal property appraisers must take the 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course (or its equivalent) once every two calendar years. This is also a requirement to maintain your GPPA or MPPA designation.
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