An Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) is the most accomplished, experienced, and highest-performing land real estate expert across the country— whether they specialize in agricultural land, timberland, ranch, recreational properties, or vacant land for development.
The ALC Designation gives brokers the knowledge they need to close deals and speak confidently with their clients. It also gives clients confidence in their broker as the most qualified expert to help them with land transactions.
How Do I Become An Accredited Land Consultant?
ALC Education:
Successful completion of six Land University courses for a total of 104 contact hours, which are divided into three categories.
LANDU Courses are offered in a live in-person format or online through virtual instructor-led training (VILT). All courses, except for Land Investment Analysis, are two-day courses when offered in-person or four online live webinars when offered virtually.
Required Courses (Must take all three)
- Land 101: Fundamentals of Land Brokerage
- Land Investment Analysis(3 day course/5 webinars)
- Transitional Land Real Estate
Specialty Courses (Pick two courses)
- Agricultural Land Brokerage & Marketing
- Subdivision Land Development
- Land Real Estate Site Selection
- Recreational Land Real Estate
- Tax Deferred 1031 Exchanges
Elective Courses (Pick one or pick another Specialty Course)
- Real Estate Mapping Technologies & Techniques
- Timberland Real Estate
- Valuation and Transactions of Energy & Environmental Assets
- any other LANDU course offering
See course descriptions and calendar.
Accredited Land Consultant Exam:
All ALC applicants must complete a comprehensive online final ALC Exam covering the LANDU curriculum’s core components. All candidates have two opportunities within six months to pass the exam with at least a 70% score or higher. The exam fee is $100 and covers both attempts. If, after the second attempt, the candidate fails to pass the exam, they will be able to retake the exam after completing the ALC Exam Prep Review.
Work Experience:
Applicants are required to hold a current real estate license and have a minimum of two years of experience in land sales or brokerage OR have a minimum of three years of comparable real estate experience in the auction, leasing, development, farm management, consulting brokerage management, or related services in the land.
Learn more about these requirements.
Volume Requirements:
Applicants must submit a portfolio that substantiates specific volume levels achieved in land sales or in providing land-related real estate services. The value of the land must account for at least 51% of the total sale of the transaction for the transaction to be eligible.
Applicants must submit a professional resume demonstrating a minimum of two years of experience in land sales or brokerage or a minimum of three years of comparable real estate experience in auction, appraisal, leasing, development, farm management, consulting, brokerage management, or related services in land. If the applicant’s profession requires a professional license to practice (like real estate), applicants must provide proof of having a current professional license. Additionally, all applicants must submit a short essay on why they would like to become an Accredited Land Consultant.
Learn more about these requirements.
Professional Affiliation:
Applicants must have a REALTOR® Membership or Institute Affiliate Membership in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
Letters of Recommendation:
Applicants must submit at least two (2) letters of recommendation from current Accredited Land Consultants, one of which must be from an ALC within the applicant’s local market. The letters of recommendation must be sent directly to RLI at rli@nar.realtor. Letters will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Portfolio:
A formal portfolio must be submitted with a resume, knowledge requirement form, and a signed agreement to follow the ALC Code of Conduct.
Learn more about the portfolio.
Application to Become an Accredited Land Consultant:
The application is peer-reviewed by a five-member accreditation committee and the REALTORS® Land Institute Board of Directors.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be approved by the ALC Designation Committee and the RLI Board of Directors, which meets monthly. The timeline for approval depends on how many applications are already in the queue and when the application is approved in the monthly Board of Directors meeting. Please be aware that it usually takes at least four to six weeks, if not longer, for an application to go through the entire process.
Takeaway
Achieving the ALC designation is a challenging task. It can take years to complete the rigorous education program and establish a proven track record of transaction performance in land before an agent can qualify. It also requires a commitment to professional growth and conducting business with integrity.
When a land professional becomes an ALC, that individual gains access to a unique group of real estate specialists who work together to build and share knowledge, develop trusted relationships, and expand business opportunities.
Find this Accredited Land Consultant information and more online from the National Association of Realtors and the Realtors Land Institute.