Guidelines for Using Institute Candidacy
Candidate members who are pursuing the CCIM designation may not display the CCIM designation or logo, and may ONLY refer to candidacy status in a portfolio to prospective employers. Membership in a local CCIM Chapter does not in any way provide any additional rights or opportunities to use the CCIM logo or trademark.

No mention of candidacy status may be made on business stationary, in advertising, websites, brochures, contracts, documents, promotional materials, or any other publications. A candidate may not refer to themselves as a “CCIM candidate” or by any other means imply it.

Inappropriate use of Institute candidacy is defined as:

  • A person who references themselves as a CCIM designee or CCIM candidate and/or uses the CCIM logo on communication or marketing-whether it is verbal, written, electronic, or for personal business-prior to passing the CCIM Comprehensive Exam and/or payment of annual dues to the CCIM Institute and being certified by the CCIM Institute.
  • A person who uses the CCIM logo in their company or personal business and is not a CCIM designee because of non-payment of dues or failure to pass the Comprehensive Exam.

Appropriate use of Institute candidacy is defined as:

  • A person who references their candidacy status only in a portfolio to a prospective employer. For example:

    “Your Nametitle, company, city, has become a candidate member of the CCIM Institute. Last Name is pursuing the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation conferred by the organization.”