Certified Senior Housing Professional
Not every agent is equipped for the complexity of a late-life move.
The Certified Senior Housing Professional® (CSHP) credential defines the ones who are.
The CSHP Difference
Most training in the senior real estate space is about generating leads from a target market — not serve one. The CSHP was built the other way around.
Who It’s For
The CSHP community is made up of real estate professionals who understand that a late-life move is rarely just a real estate transaction — it’s one of the most consequential relocations a person may ever make.
They’ve done the legwork on local housing options suited for downsizers — 55+ communities, single-level homes, low-maintenance properties, and retirement communities. Whether selling, buying, or leasing, they know the territory.
They have systems specifically designed to reduce the overwhelm that often comes with a last-time move — from the first conversation through closing and beyond.
They’ve assembled a network of trusted professionals across legal and financial services, relocation services, and beyond — staying engaged throughout to ensure their referral partners are delivering.
They listen to last-time home sellers and downsizers regularly to better understand what people in your situation actually experience. They’ve heard the fears, the frustrations, and the challenges — and are prepared to help you overcome them.
They appreciate this is not just about logistics, but can be emotional too. You won’t feel rushed or reduced to a transaction. This is about your life, not their pipeline.
They’ve made a formal commitment to ethical practice and client advocacy. That means your interests come first — your timeline, your priorities, your comfort with the process.
The Path to Certification
We designed this process with customers and clients in mind. Every step has a purpose. Only the most committed and capable cross the finish line.
Whether in person or online, students engage with in-depth instructional content, case studies, and real-world scenarios covering the psychology behind late-life relocations, 55+ housing options, specialized service delivery, and strategic business development.
A passing score of 80% or higher is required. This is not a formality — it’s a benchmark for mastery.
A substantial series of real-world tasks submitted for review — including demographic research, senior living community familiarization, focus groups, resource team building, reference requests, and a detailed marketing and service plan. This is where knowledge becomes practice.
Applicants provide personal and professional references, production history, and sign a pledge of professional standards and ethical conduct.
A live, web-based interview with SREI’s Membership Council. Candidates discuss their course experience, implementation efforts, and commitment to serve. The Council reviews and evaluates the Business Blueprint submission, application submission, and determines fitness for certification.
CSHPs are required to complete continuing education, pay annual renewal fees, and uphold the ethical standards of the credential. Only active licensees who are practicing agents are eligible to renew. Certification can be revoked for conduct that falls short of those standards.
The agents who truly serve this clientele are not defined by their sales volume. They’re defined by the trust they’ve earned — one family at a time.Dr. Nikki Buckelew — Founder, Seniors Real Estate Institute
For Consumers & Referring Professionals
If a real estate agent has presented you with a CSHP credential, here is what you should know about what they’ve done to earn it — and what you can expect from them.
If a real estate agent has presented you with a Certified Senior Housing Professional credential, they’ve done far more than take a class. They’ve prepared — specifically for someone in your situation.
They’ve learned to listen before they advise. They’ve studied what makes a last-time move different from any other transaction, and they’ve built their practice around those differences. They know your questions before you ask them. They’ve thought through the parts of this process that most agents never consider. And they’ve made a formal commitment to putting your interests ahead of their own.
What that looks like in practice: you won’t feel rushed, overlooked, or handed off. This kind of agent is there for the whole of it — the home, yes, but also the people. The history. The next chapter. Whatever comes up along the way, they’ve prepared for it — or they know who to call.
To verify whether a specific agent’s CSHP credential is current and active, contact us at [email protected].
Ready to Begin?