# The Certified Transaction Coordinator is still the only formal credential for the job

> C.A.R.'s programme runs to 17 hours or more, is open to licensed and unlicensed coordinators, and renews every two years. No national equivalent exists.

**Section:** Practice & Forms  
**Published:** June 4, 2026  
**Byline:** TC Bulletin Staff  
**Canonical URL:** https://tcbulletin.com/practice/certified-transaction-coordinator-only-formal-credential  
**Publisher:** TC Bulletin (tcbulletin.com)

## Key points

- The California Association of REALTORS Certified Transaction Coordinator programme requires 17 or more hours.
- It is open to both licensed and unlicensed coordinators.
- The credential renews every two years.
- C.A.R. also hosts an official transaction coordinator directory.
- The California Association of Transaction Coordinators is the only verified TC association; there is no national association of transaction coordinators.

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A profession that handles the paperwork on a large share of American residential closings has exactly one formal credential, and it belongs to a state association.

The California Association of REALTORS runs the Certified Transaction Coordinator programme. It requires 17 hours or more of coursework, is open to licensed and unlicensed coordinators alike, and renews on a two-year cycle. C.A.R. also maintains a public transaction coordinator directory, which makes the credential visible to the agents doing the hiring.

### The credential

| Measure | Value | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Awarding body | California Association of REALTORS |  |
| Coursework | 17+ hours |  |
| Eligibility | Licensed and unlicensed |  |
| Renewal | Every 2 years |  |

## What sits around it

Everything else in coordinator education is private training rather than credentialing: Transaction Coordinator Academy, True North Transaction Services and its TC Exchange podcast, One Stop TC, and a set of general real estate education providers including The CE Shop and OnlineEd. These are useful and in several cases excellent. They are not credentials, and coordinators should be clear with clients about the difference.

On the association side, the California Association of Transaction Coordinators is a 501(c)(6) non-profit and the only verified association dedicated to the profession. There is no legitimate national association of transaction coordinators, despite the name surfacing in search results and in marketing copy.

> **Correction standing.** If a second state association or a second formal credential launches, TC Bulletin will elevate it to standing coverage. Write to the desk.

### Primary sources for this story

- [C.A.R. Certified Transaction Coordinator](https://www.car.org/education/designations/certified-transaction-coordinator)
- [C.A.R. transaction coordinator directory](https://www.car.org/transactions/transactioncoordinator)
- [California Association of Transaction Coordinators](https://www.thecatc.org)

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## Sources cited

- C.A.R.: https://www.car.org/education/designations/certified-transaction-coordinator
- CATC: https://www.thecatc.org

Topics: tc-credentials, california

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