What is BCIR?
BCIR stands for Board Certificate in Industrial Real Estate, which is a professional education and certificate program for corporate real estate managers and service providers who work in manufacturing and industrial environments.

What's BCIR's purpose?
The purpose is to provide a comprehensive and rigorous professional education program for corporate real estate managers and service providers who work in manufacturing and industrial environments. BCIR is intended to accelerate the process by which professionals learn how to operate effectively in this area.

Who is behind BCIR?
The Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) established BCIR and operates it.

Who are BCIR's target candidates?
BCIR is particularly valuable for entry- and mid-level corporate real estate staff and service providers who seek to prepare themselves for a higher level and responsiblity.

What are the entry requirements to register as a candidate for BCIR?
The requirement is registration and payment of the BCIR candidacy registration fee.

Who teaches the BCIR classes, and where are they held?
BCIR is unique in that its candidates take proven, high-quality and well-regarded courses selected to represent the most relevant and challenging experience for industrial real estate offered by other well-known real estate professional associations, such as BOMI, CCIM, CoreNet Global and SIOR. The courses are offered at venues determined by the organizations that offer them. Some of these courses may be offered online.

What are the academic requirements for earning the BCIR designation?
First, candidates must complete and pass any final exam for seven of the nine courses listed as core curriculum. The courses cover the gamut of corporate real estate knowledge, skills and abilities from transactions, to finance, to environmental issues, to law. Second, candidates must write a thesis on an industrial real estate topic.

Can I get BCIR credit if I've taken and passed some of these courses already?
Yes, just secure an official transcript and send it to BCIR's administrator.

How much will it cost me to get the BCIR designation?
Here are the costs:

• BCIR candidacy registration - $250
• Annual BCIR dues (after the first year) - $100
• Courses - various (set by provider)
• Thesis fee - $500

How long will it take me to get my BCIR certificate?
That depends mostly on how aggressively you push through the requirements. Theoretically, you could take all seven courses in a year. The thesis could be completed in three months. That's a year and half. More typically, candidates can expect to take 2-3 years to complete all of the requirements.

What are the benefits to me of earning the BCIR certificate?
This is the only professional education and certification program in manufacturing and industrial real estate. You will gain new and valuable knowledge in the field that can help you at work. The designation may accelerate job promotions and salary gains.

What IAMC committee oversees BCIR's operations?
The Education and Research Committee, which reports to IAMC's board of directors, overseas the program's day-to-day operations and serves as board of appeals for questions and issues raised by candidates.