The CCIM Institute confers the CCIM designation and is an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The CCIM movement began more than 40 years ago with commercial real estate practitioners who wanted to elevate their business practices through education and networking. Then and now, education and networking remain the cornerstones of the CCIM designation and the reason for its success.
The CCIM designation was established originally by the California Association of Realtors in 1954 under the name Certified Property Exchanger (CPE). In 1967 it took on national significance under administration by a division of the National Association of Realtors. In 1969, the designation was renamed Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). A council was established to administer the designation and in 1991 it was granted institute status as an affiliate of NAR.