Do You Need a CCIM to Get Started in Commercial Real Estate?
The Credential Confusion Holding Agents Back
If you’ve ever thought about stepping into commercial real estate, you’ve probably heard the term CCIM tossed around — usually followed by a few intimidating details about courses, costs, and years of study.
Many agents assume they have to get a CCIM before they can touch a commercial deal. That belief holds more agents back than anything else.
Here’s the truth: you do not need a CCIM designation to start building a successful commercial real estate business.
Let’s unpack what a CCIM really is, why it’s valuable but not essential, and how you can start doing commercial deals right now — without waiting years or spending thousands.
👉 Want to skip ahead? Watch my free masterclass 3 Commercial Real Estate Secrets Every Agent Needs to Know.
What Exactly Is a CCIM?
A CCIM, or Certified Commercial Investment Member, is a professional designation awarded by the CCIM Institute. It’s designed to validate deep knowledge in commercial investment analysis, market data, and financial modeling.
It’s a respected credential in the industry — no doubt about it. But here’s the catch: earning it can take years and cost several thousand dollars.
For agents trying to start in commercial, that’s a huge barrier — and completely unnecessary at the beginning.
Why You Don’t Need a CCIM to Get Started
You don’t need a doctorate to start selling homes — and you don’t need a CCIM to start selling commercial property.
Here’s why:
Clients hire confidence, not credentials. What matters most is that you understand the deal and communicate it clearly.
Experience is built through action. Your first few deals will teach you far more than any course ever could.
You can learn the essentials faster. Tools like the 6-Figure Commercial Playbook and our 3-Day Training teach you how to prospect, value, and close deals in weeks, not years.
The CCIM can always come later — if you decide it’s worth it for your goals.
The Real Prerequisite: Knowledge and Systems
What you actually need to succeed in commercial real estate are:
✅ A clear understanding of how commercial deals work (the numbers, not the emotions).
✅ Scripts and systems to approach property owners confidently.
✅ A step-by-step process to qualify opportunities and close with professionalism.That’s why I created the 6-Figure Commercial Playbook — to give agents a proven framework they can apply immediately, without the long wait or high cost of traditional education.
When a CCIM Might Make Sense Later
Let’s be clear — the CCIM is valuable once you’re already established.
If you plan to:
Specialize in investment analysis or large-scale deals,
Work with institutional investors, or
Teach or consult within the industry,
Then earning your CCIM can absolutely enhance your credibility and knowledge base.
But it’s a career enhancer, not a career starter.
Most top-producing agents and brokers got started long before they ever thought about getting a CCIM.
How to Start Doing Commercial Deals Without One
If you want to break into commercial now, here’s what I recommend:
Watch the Masterclass – Start with 3 Commercial Real Estate Secrets to understand the foundation.
Study the Playbook – Learn the 6-step process for finding, analyzing, and closing deals.
Get Support – Join our 3-Day Intermediate Training to apply everything in real time.
Take Action – The best way to learn commercial is to do commercial.
The knowledge you’ll gain from actually talking to owners, analyzing deals, and getting in the field will put you miles ahead of agents who are “still thinking about” starting.
The Bottom Line: Action Beats Credentials Every Time
Don’t let the letters after your name delay your success.
A CCIM is a great milestone, but it’s not a starting requirement. You can — and should — begin your commercial real estate journey now.
Every day you wait is a day another agent takes the opportunity you could have had.
If you’re serious about commercial real estate, start with the system that’s helped thousands of agents go from residential to six figures in CRE:
👉 Watch the Free Masterclass: 3 Commercial Real Estate Secrets Every Agent Needs to Know.
👉 Then dive into the 6-Figure Commercial Playbook to build your first pipeline of commercial deals.
You don’t need permission — just the right plan.
Mistakes New Agents Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Most beginners stumble because they:
Try to “wing it” without a system.
Get lost in the numbers and analysis.
Avoid picking up the phone.
Work alone instead of leveraging mentors or partnerships.
These mistakes are easy to fix — with the right guidance and structure. That’s why I created the 6-Figure Commercial Playbook: to help you start smart, stay confident, and close faster.
Next Steps: Learn How to Break Into Multi-Family the Smart Way
If this opened your eyes to what’s possible in commercial real estate, don’t let the momentum fade.
🎯 Step 1: Watch my free masterclass — 3 Commercial Real Estate Secrets Every Agent Needs to Know.
🎯 Step 2: Explore the 6-Figure Commercial Playbook to master the 6-step deal process.
🎯 Step 3: Join the 3-Day Intermediate Training to practice live with other agents and investors.You’re closer than you think to your first commercial deal — and your next level of income.
To your success,
Michael Simpson
Founder, NCREA
