About the RPA®
The Real Property Administrator (RPA®) Designation program is designed for assistant property managers, property managers, and those who manage real estate assets. The RPA® Designation positions property managers for success by providing insight into and knowledge of operating a commercial building.
Upon successful completion, professionals will be able to:
- Understand the diverse aspects of property management
- Maximize a building’s net income and minimize risks
- Reduce costs
- Enhance your standing in the industry
What Will I Learn?
In the RPA® program, you’ll learn how to enhance the value of a building through proper and strategic decision making—from design and operation to maintenance of an office building. Professionals will become fully versed in budgeting and accounting for commercial real estate, risk management, and best practices in bidding. The RPA® program also covers reviewing and selecting contract providers, marketing and leasing the building, and operating the asset from an owner’s perspective through a comprehensive asset management component.
Completing my RPA® through BOMI has allowed me to take my career to another level. I can see the direct impact on my performance as a Property Manager and I know I have the skills and critical knowledge for personal and organizational success.
– Devri Robertson, RPA®, Mitchell Developments Ltd.
You can begin pursuing your RPA® at any time during your career. Before you are awarded the RPA® Designation, you are required to demonstrate three years of verifiable property management experience. The criteria are outlined in the Experience Form below, which may be submitted at any time following enrollment.
Professionals who have prior education in an area that overlaps with the RPA® may be eligible to receive credit for one or more courses. To review the requirements, please refer to the Administrative Competency Chart which outlines what is eligible and how to apply for course credit.
The Capstone Experience program reduces the administrative hurdle of completing the complex Experience Form by only requiring employment history verification. To maintain the integrity of BOMI's programming, the Capstone Experience includes a culminating RPA® Capstone Exam once all RPA® course requirements are complete.
The RPA® Capstone Exam is not a cumulative final exam, but a 125-question multiple choice test reflective of your three years of industry experience. The exam includes:
- Two-hour, 125-question multiple choice exam, 100 of which are scored and 25 of which are not scored.
- Proctored exam to be taken at Pearson VUE
- Questions are application-based, using scenarios that rely on the learners' three years of experience in commercial property and facility management
- Optional Online Self-Paced Capstone Exam prep courses are available for the RPA®
RPA® Course Requirements
The RPA® requires the completion of the following courses with passed final exams:
Ready to get started? Click any of the courses below to register, email [email protected] or call 1.800.235.2664 for more information.
Budgeting and Accounting
Identify potential opportunities for increasing a property’s net operating income, determine recoverable and nonrecoverable operating expenses, establish cost controls, prioritize capital expenditures, explain budget variances to stakeholders, follow best practices in tenant communications, and analyze and interpret financial statements of prospective tenants.
Environmental Health and Safety Issues
Develop and manage an effective environmental health and safety program, ensure facilities follow compliance and regulatory mandates, assess environmental risk factors, prepare for compliance audits, address emergency environmental health situations, Maintain health and safety records, manage indoor environmental quality complaints, Keep appropriate records, and design a waste management program
Ethics Is Good Business® ShortCourse
Understand fundamental ethical terms and moral reasoning, Identify potential ethical challenges, apply ethical approaches, resolve difficult issues with an ethical decision-making model, embrace a triple bottom line philosophy, and identify how concepts can be implemented in your organization.
Law and Risk Management
Discuss the issues surrounding contracting law, explain the legal aspects of real estate financing, understand environmental law and land use, Identify potential legal liability situations, formulate effective loss control programs, understand insurance policies, protect against potential liability claims, describe how underwriting for insurance affects your coverage, and provide comprehensive employee benefit plans.
Real Estate Investment and Finance
Understand physical value and market value, determine a property’s economic value, learn about finance investments and increasing values, and understand tax laws.
Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part 1
Implement maintenance best practices, Support maintenance of building structural components, describe best practices for the design, operation, and maintenance of HVAC and plumbing systems, and learn about systems for structural integrity.
Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part II
Effectively analyze, manage, and optimize building systems, identify opportunities to increase the efficiency, manage pests, solid wastes, energy, and security and life-safety systems, and evaluate and implement best practices for increasing occupant safety and comfort.
The RPA® requires the completion of one of the following elective courses with passed final exams:
Asset Management
Maximize market value, manage distressed properties, identify and capitalize on opportunities, build wealth, and exercise control over assets to enhance operational efficiencies.
Leasing and Marketing for Project Managers
Chart and rate comparative properties in your market, develop advertising and media buying savvy, employ proper public relations, develop parameters to lease space effectively, and identify prospective tenants.
Managing the Organization
Understand and use techniques to motivate and influence a staff, train managers in communication and marketing, organize facilities management functions, problem solving tools for managers, and learn about sustainability-driven building upgrades.