Version 5.3
Last update April 30, 2008
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Researched by RealtyU as a service to the Industry
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Introduction: The industry is saturated with an abundance of real estate designations, certifications and accreditations. This is largely due to the fact that real estate industry spans many different professions and occupations such as brokerage, appraisal, construction, inspection, etc., as well as various functions such as sales, management, administration, etc. and over numerous types of real estate, such as residential, commercial, agriculture, resorts, etc. In each of these market segments or niches there are many Institutes, Associations, Councils and Societies resulting in various different designations and certifications. Although most have very specific rules governing the awarding of their accreditations, there is no consistency across the board and it is impossible to compare or rank the different real estate designations and certifications.
The List: This is to the best of our (RealtyU®) knowledge the most comprehensive list on real estate designations and certifications. Since being created in 2003 it has been updated every year and has steadily grown from about 28 to almost 100. RealtyU®, the largest career development company in the residential real estate industry, manages the largest network of real estate schools in the country, and educates over 300,000 real estate professionals every year.
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Featured Designation of the Month |
AHS - Accredited Home-Staging Specialist
The Accredited Home-Staging Specialist (AHS) course focuses on giving real estate agents a foundation and solid overview of all the key aspects of home staging. No other home-staging course offers this amount of comprehensive information at such an affordable price!
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Categories of Certifications and Designations Listed:
- • Residential Real Estate Sales
- • Relocation
- • Property Management
- • Farm Land, Industrial and Commercial
- • Construction
- • Appraisal and Home Inspection
- • Technology and Internet
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Residential Real Estate Sales |
ABR® - Accredited Buyer Representative
This real estate designation is geared to REALTORS® who wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice.
Managed by Real Estate Agent Buyer's Council
In association with The National Association of REALTORS®
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ABRM - Accredited Buyer Representative Manager
This real estate designation is geared to REALTORS®, owners and managers that have or wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice.
Managed by Real Estate Agent Buyer's Council
In association with The National Association of REALTORS® |
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AHS – Accredited Home-Staging Specialist
This course enables agents to gain a quick grasp and basic knowledge of the most important elements involving the staging of a property and home for sale.
Managed by the Council of Home Staging Specialist
In association with RealtyU Group
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AHWD - At Home with Diversity
This certification is geared toward increasing an agent's sensitivity towards a wide range of cultural issues, thus inviting a wider volume of business from a greater variety of cultures.
Coordinated by The National Association of REALTORS®
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ALHS - Accredited Luxury Home Specialist
This real estate designation is awarded to agents that have completed advanced training and work in the field of selling luxury homes.
Managed by The Luxury Home Council
In association with RealtyU Group
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AREP® - Accredited Real Estate Professional
Awarded to real estate agents that have completed an introductory course that deals with the fundamentals of getting your real estate business up and running.
Managed by The Real Estate Professionals Society
In association with RealtyU Group |
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ASP® – Accredited Staging Professional
This program has been developed to assist home owners to present their homes for sale in the best possible way. This designation has a special course for agents (ASPRE) and an advanced master level (ASPM)
Managed by
International Association of Home Staging Professionals
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This designation is geared towards improving the skills of real estate professionals working with home sellers.
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C-CREC - Consumer Certified Real Estate Consultant
This real estate designation is geared toward helping professionals focus on what consumers want from today's real estate professionals, not just what the industry has to offer.
Managed by the
National Association of Real Estate Consultants
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CBR – Certified Buyer Representative
This real estate designation is geared to real estate agents who wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice.
Managed by RealNet Learning Services
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EcoBroker Certified®
A program for real estate professionals and industry affiliates who care about our environment and who want to take advantage of the green marketing opportunities.
Managed by EcoBroker International
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CBS - Certified Buyer Specialist
Shows agents how to develop an online relationship early in the buying process to attract those consumers to your website.
Managed by Prospecting for Life
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CEBA – Certified Exclusive Buyers Agent
Certification coordinated by National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents
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CFS - Certified Financial Specialist
This real estate designation is geared toward residential financing principles, techniques and programs developed by the Residential Financing Council.
Managed by The Residential Financing Council
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CLHMS - Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
This real estate designation is geared to position agents as an expert for affluent buyers and sellers.
Managed by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing |
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CNE – Certified Negotiation Expert
Provides real estate agents provide negotiation training to enable agents to better results in all different types and situations of negotiations.
Managed by the Tom Hayden
In association with RealtyU Group
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CNS – Certified Neighborhood Specialist
Provides real estate agents the ability to obtain an intimate knowledge of the specifics of a neighborhood thereby enabling them to become the local neighborhood expert.
Managed by the Neighborhood Specialists Council
In association with RealtyU Group
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CRB - Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager
This real estate designation is geared toward REALTORS® that consistently increase their level of industry knowledge and increase their firm's profitability.
Managed by the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers
In association with The National Association of REALTORS®
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CRE - Counselor of Real Estate
Bestowed by invitation only real estate advisors who have been recognized by their peers and clients for their high level knowledge, experience, and integrity.
Managed by The Counselors of Real Estate
In association with The National Association of REALTORS®
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CRIA - Certified Realty Investment Associate
Covers the practical aspects of Commercial and Investment real estate such as dealing with clients and in transactions with other agents.
Managed by the Realty Investment Association of California
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CSP – Certified Short-Sale Professional
This real estate designation is awarded to people who complete advanced training how to handle short sales and foreclosures.
Managed by Council of Short-Sales Professionals
In association with RealtyU Group
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CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
This real estate designation is awarded to experienced REALTORS® who complete advanced training in listing and selling.
Managed by the Council of Residential Specialists
In association with The National Association of REALTORS®
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CSS – Certified Staging Specialist
Certifies people that have proven their practical knowledge of staging.
Managed by theBarbara Jennings
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GHS – Generational Housing Specialist
Seniors, Boomers, X’ers and Y’ers. This real estate course covers all generations and teaches agents how to communicate, work, sell and manage buyers and sellers of all ages.
Managed by the Generational Housing Council
In association with RealtyU Group |
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GRI - Graduate REALTOR Institute
This real estate designation is geared towards REALTORS® that are involved in residential real estate and desire a solid base of information for their practice.
Managed by The National Association of REALTORS®
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HSR – Home Staging Resource
Self paced, online, 21-day intensive training on all aspects of interior decorating.
Managed by Home Staging Resource, Inc
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IMC - Internet Marketing Certified
Positions agents as the expert in marketing properties online.
Managed by Prospecting for Life
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MIRM - Member, Institute of Residential Marketing.
The top-level achievement for real estate professionals in new home marketing.
Managed by The National Association of Home Builders
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The Master of Real Estate (MRE)
The MRE designation signifies a broker dedicated to the highest professional development and the highest levels of customer service
Managed by Van Education Center
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MSP –Master Sales Professional
In order to earn the Master Sales Professional designation, Master Sales Association an agent must complete a variety of courses, mentoring and sales performance requirements.
Managed by the Mastery Sales Association
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PME – Property Marketing Expert
Positions agents as the expert in marketing of property.
Managed by Prospecting for Life
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PMN - Performance Management Network.
Geared to bring you the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep your business out front and on top of a lighting-fast market.
Managed by the Women's Council of REALTORS®
In association with The National Association of REALTORS®
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QSC - Quality Service Certification.
This certification is for sales professionals willing to be held to a standard, which requires accountability, reliability and consistency - the ongoing delivery of quality service on each transaction.
Managed by Quality Service Certification, Inc.
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REPA - Real Estate Professional Assistant
This certification is geared to provide an intensive introduction to the real estate business and to the specific ways support staff can become valuable assets to their employers.
Certification coordinated by The National Association of REALTORS®
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RSPS – Resort & Second-Home Markets Certification
Certification requirements include the NAR Resort & Second-Home Market Course, the RLI Tax-Deferred (1031) Exchange Course and nine different electives.
Certification coordinated by
The National Association of REALTORS®
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SHS – Senior Housing Specialist
The certification program trains real estate agents to understand, work and serve the needs of senior home buyers and sellers.
Certification coordinated by TABS
In association with RealtyU Group |
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SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist
The program trains REALTORS® to profitably and ethically serve the real estate needs of clients age 50+.
Managed by Real Estate Agent Buyer's Council
In association with The National Association of REALTORS®
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SRS - Seller Representative Specialist
This designation is geared toward proving the skills of real estate professionals regarding listings and working with sellers.
Managed by the SRS Council
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International Designations and Certifications |
CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist
This real estate designation is geared to REALTORS® that have demonstrated their international experience and participate in international programs offered by NAR.
Managed by The National Association of REALTORS® |
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IRES – International Real Estate Specialist
An international certification helping agents understand the second home luxury market.
Managed by The International Luxury Society
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TRC - Transnational Referral Certification.
This certification is to prepare agents to use the Transnational Referral system developed by the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations-ICREA.
Coordinated by The National Association of REALTORS® |
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Relocation Designations and Certifications |
CRP - Certified Relocation Professional
This real estate designation is geared toward professionals who have demonstrated a minimum of two years' experience dealing with relocation issues.
Managed by the Employee Relocation Council
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CRTS – Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist
Course training for those beginning in the senior move industry. The program advances to a master level CRTM after 3 years of experience and additional CE courses.
Managed by International Association of Home Staging Professionals |
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Property Management Designations |
ARM - Accredited Residential Manager
This real estate certification reflects today's management practices and new ideas.
Certification coordinated by The Institute of Real Estate Management
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CAM - Certified Apartment Manager.
Nationally recognized education program for people who own or manage rental property.
Managed by The National Apartment Association
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CLP - Certified Leasing Professional
The program enables agents to improve their knowledge regarding multifamily leasing and selling skills.
Managed by The National Association of Home Builders
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CPM - Certified Property Manager
Real estate management skills through educational offerings, leading in every area of real estate management from residential to commercial to industrial.
Managed by The Institute of Real Estate Management
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RAM - Registered in Apartment Management.
RAM is a designation program offered to property management professionals.
Managed by The National Association of Home Builders
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Farmland, Industrial & Commercial |
AAC - Accredited Agricultural Consultant
You must meet specific skill and experience levels, take and pass all required coursework, and meet all other requirements established by the ASFMRA.
Managed by American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
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AFM - Accredited Farm Manager
You must meet specific skill and experience levels, take and pass all required coursework, and meet all other requirements established by the ASFMRA.
Managed by American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
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ALC - Accredited Land Consultant
This real estate designation is geared to REALTORS® that specialize in land brokerage transactions such as farms and ranches; undeveloped tracts of land; transitional and development land; subdivision and wholesaling of lots; and site selection and assemblage of land parcels.
Managed by
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
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CCIM - Certified Commercial Investment Member
This real estate designation is geared to REALTORS® in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management valuation and investment analysis.
Managed by the CCIM Institute
In association with NAR
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CREP - Commercial Real Estate Professionals Society
Awarded to real estate agents that have completed a certified commercial course that deals with the fundamentals of conducting commercial real estate transactions.
Managed by The Real Estate Professionals Society
In association with RealtyU Group |
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SIOR - Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®.
This real estate designation is geared towards Realtors® in industrial and office real estate brokerage.
Managed by the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®
In association with NAR
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Construction Designations & Certifications |
CMP -Certified New Home Marketing Professional
Mid-level designation for Institute of Residential Marketing students who have completed their marketing courses.
Managed by The National Association of Home Builders
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CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist
Join more than 30,000 professionals and enjoy real estate’s most popular and comprehensive training for working successfully with builders, developers and new home buyers in all areas of new home sales and marketing.
Managed by Dennis Walsh and Associates
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CSP - Certified New Home Sales Professional
Designed for specialists in new home sales to increase their marketability in the home building industry, and sell more homes. This course also has a Master Certified New Home Sales Professional (MCSP) level.
Managed by The National Association of Home Builders
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Residential Construction Certified (RCC)
For real estate professionals active in either Resale or New Home business, Residential Construction Certified delivers the most comprehensive training covering materials, methods, terminology and details of residential construction.
Managed by Dennis Walsh and Associates
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Mortgage Designations and Certifications |
AMP - Accredited Mortgage Professional
Recognizes the achievements for pursuit of educational excellence by completing all three levels at the School of Mortgage Banking.
Managed by CampusMBA's School of Mortgage Banking
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CMB - Certified Mortgage Banker
The industry standard of professional success. It symbolizes respect, credibility, ethics, and achievement within real estate finance. Earning a CMB instantly places you at the top of your dynamic industry and makes you a part of the elite group that has achieved the highest level of professional success.
Managed by CampusMBA's School of Mortgage Banking
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CMS - Certified Mortgage Servicer
Recognizes an individual's superior knowledge and experience in residential servicing practices, theories and applications. This specialist designation has three tracks: default administration, financial controls and investor administration and loan administration.
Managed by CampusMBA's School of Mortgage Banking
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CMT - Certified Mortgage Technologist
Demonstrates a solid technological foundation in mortgage banking operations through a combination of experience, education and industry participation.
Managed by CampusMBA's School of Mortgage Banking
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CRU - Certified Residential Underwriter
Reflects an individual's superior knowledge, experience, education and industry participation in pursuit of excellence in residential underwriting.
Managed by CampusMBA's School of Mortgage Banking
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CMPS – Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist
A training, certification and ongoing membership program for financial professionals who provide mortgage and real estate equity advice.
Managed by CMPS Institute
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MREP - Mortgage Real Estate Professional.
This certification e agents upon completion of a certified mortgage or finance course that incorporates the fundamentals of the lending process.
Managed by The Real Estate Professionals Society
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Appraisal & Home Inspection Designations and Certifications |
ARA - Accredited Rural Appraiser
You must meet specific skill and experience levels, take and pass all required coursework, and meet all other requirements established by the ASFMRA.
Managed by
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
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ASA - Accredited Senior Appraiser
Accreditation is based on appraisal education, experience, intensive written examinations and submission of acceptable appraisal reports.
Managed by The American Society of Appraisers
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CREA - Certified Real Estate Appraiser
Certification coordinated by The National Association of Real Estate Appraisers
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MAI – Member Appraisal Institute
Awarded to appraisers who are experienced in the valuation and evaluation of commercial, industrial, residential and other types of properties, and who advise clients on real estate investment decisions.
Managed by The Appraisal Institute
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MFLA - Master Farm and Land Appraiser
Granted upon presentation of evidence of extensive practical experience in real estate appraisal, completion of classroom study and testing.
Managed by The National Association of Master Appraisers
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GAA - General Accredited Appraiser
This real estate designation is geared toward appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the NAR.
Managed by The National Association of REALTORS®
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RAA - Residential Accredited Appraiser.
This real estate designation is geared toward appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification.
Managed by National Association of REALTORS®
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RPRA - Real Property Review Appraiser
You must meet specific skill and experience levels, take and pass all required coursework, and meet all other requirements established by the ASFMRA.
Managed by the
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
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SRA
The SRA professional membership designation is held by real estate solutions providers who are experienced in the analysis and valuation of residential real property.
Managed by The Appraisal Institute
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SRPA
The SRPA membership designation is held by appraisers who are experienced in the valuation of commercial, industrial, residential and other types of property.
Managed by The Appraisal Institute
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Technology & Internet Designations & Certifications |
e-PRO®
Training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals. More than just technology but how you can leverage your most powerful asset, your people-skills, into doing more business on the Internet.
Certification coordinated by
The National Association of REALTORS®
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RECS - Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist
This certification is geared to let clients know of your proficiency in serving the public with recognized skills for utilizing CyberSpace marketing programs and for effectively adopting special technology and networking systems.
Coordinated by the Real Estate CyberSpace Society
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REW - Real Estate Webographer
This certification helps real estate agents in determining where they should invest their resources to generate leads, acquire new clients, advertise and facilitate closings and how to develop and maintain an effective business strategy in a web-based environment.
Coordinate by the National Institute of Webographers
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Disclosure: RealtyU® and/or its affiliated schools have strategic alliances with, or licensing or training agreements with, a significant number of the certifications and designations listed above. Numerous of the Institutes, Associations, Councils and Societies such as the National Association of Realtors® undertake their own training. This list of designations is also list at www.ReDesignations.com
© Copyright 2007. If you wish to reproduce this list you may so, but only as is, without changes.
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