The Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist certification requires the completion of three 30-hour courses. (It is recommended that you take these classes in order.)

TACS 1: Introduction to Commercial Real Estate

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into the commercial real estate field by exposing them to the fundamentals of commercial real estate finance and economics, and then through the application of those fundamental concepts using actual practice scenarios on a variety of property types they are likely to encounter. It will provide a strong grounding in basic concepts that will help students who intend to pursue higher designations such as CCIM. It will also prepare agents who are interested in moving their field of business from residential to commercial, or residential agents who occasionally take part in commercial transactions.

TACS 2: Commercial Real Estate Property Development

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into the commercial real estate field by exposing them to the fundamentals of commercial real estate leasing, property development, and appraisal valuation methods. Students in this course will develop a comprehensive understanding of the CMA process and the various due diligence elements associated with representing commercial clients.

TACS 3: Commercial Real Estate Marketing & Negotiation

This course is designed to prepare students for entry into the commercial real estate field by learning how to assess the merits of investment property, developing an understanding the consequences of sale and how to develop an exit strategy, identify appropriate contract forms and addenda and when to use them, and how to develop a business plan based on self-awareness.

Course Outline

After successful completion of the three courses, candidates must provide the following:

• A letter from the agent’s broker verifying successful completion of two commercial real estate transactions (no minimum monetary requirement) and active participation in a CIE
• Two professional references—not the candidate’s broker—who can speak to the candidate’s commercial real estate professionalism and standard of practice.

Finally, the certification candidate must submit the Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist certification application and a $50 application fee to Texas REALTORS®.

REALTORS® who have earned a CCIM or SIOR designation or who have five years of commercial experience and have successfully passed all three TACS end-of-course exams are eligible to apply for the TACS certification without completing TACS coursework. To receive credit by exam, submit the certification application. Please note there is a $50 exam fee. Applicants will be contacted to schedule exams and remit fees after their application has been processed.

For more information from Texas REALTORS®, click here.