The Real Estate Staging Association®, RESA®, is the trade association for stagers. Members are dedicated to advancing professionalism, excellence, and legitimacy in the home staging and redesign industry. Self-regulation is an important component of RESA®.
Do designations, certifications, and accreditations and regulations matter in our industry?
Yes. They mean you have completed a course and gained knowledge.
Is government regulation important to our industry?
No. Our industry does not need government legislation. We don’t need laws that could potentially make staging without a license a criminal offense.
Why is accreditation important in a non-regulated or as we call it a self-regulated industry?
RESA® Accredited Training Providers go through a strict application process. They have agreed to be held accountable to a formal student complaint process. Students may file a grievance with RESA®, and it will be thoroughly investigated. We work with the student and training provider to resolve the complaint. RESA® has the right to revoke the accreditation status for any home staging or redesign training company, that doesn’t meet RESA® standards or doesn’t work to resolve complaints.
Students can rest assured, RESA® accredited training providers have undergone extensive scrutiny.
What is the process of accreditation?
RESA conducts a comprehensive review of all academic and ancillary activities, and resources that support an institution’s educational objectives and the courses they offer.
Is the accreditation process a “paid for” recognition status?
No. RESA follows the guidelines set forth by the US Department of Education’s approved accrediting agencies. We ensure training providers are teaching specific subject matter pertinent for home stagers. RESA accredited providers must meet our requirements on over 60 subjects that must be included in core home staging training, as well as redesign training.
Accredited training providers agree to follow a code of ethics and agree to a formal complaint process, should the need arise.
Not all courses submitted are approved. Providers not meeting the standards, will receive a report indicating what areas need improvement to meet the RESA® standards. Providers will be allowed to correct these areas and re-submit.
RESA charges a non-refundable application fee. Fees cover the administrative process, and are a standard operating procedure in any accreditation process.
Are the training providers that apply for accreditation status part of the RESA® accreditation committee?
No. Training providers are not part of the review process. When an application is processed, the reviewers’ sign a confidentiality agreement along with a non-compete agreement.
Are there affiliate training providers or RESA® accredited training providers on the RESA® National Board, Executive Committee, or holding any State President or local chapter leadership positions?
Yes. RESA® values strong industry leaders. We feel it is imperative to have them as part of our board. Their input is crucial to the success of our association and industry. They provide valuable information on the needs of our members. We encourage all home staging and redesign training providers to join RESA® and contribute to the growth of the industry. If there are times when RESA needs to make decisions about training, the directors who are training providers abstain from voting to avoid any conflicts of interest. All board members and leadership are elected by the members through our annual election process.
Why are some home staging and redesign training providers not RESA® accredited?
-
They may not be aware of the program.
-
They may not meet the criteria.
-
They may not be supportive of RESA’s mission to be open to all home stagers and redesigners.
-
They may not want to invest in the accreditation.
What is the difference between a RESA Affiliate Training Provider and a RESA® Accredited Training Provider™?
RESA® Affiliate Training Providers file an application with RESA® to become an Affiliate Provider. Affiliate Providers have not gone through the accreditation process. We check their references, they agree to follow a provider code of ethics, and they agree students may file a grievance against them with RESA® should the need arise.
If a training provider is not listed on RESA®, does this mean their program is not legitimate?
No. Many excellent training providers are not part of the program. Participation is voluntary in an effort to create a self-regulated industry. We recommend that you review each program, compare them carefully, and talk to past students. If a home staging training or redesign company is unwilling to provide names and contact information of former students, consider that a red flag that should not be ignored.
What training provider owns RESA®?
RESA® is not owned by anyone. It is a California, non-shareholder Corporation. RESA is MEMBER OWNED. It is a 501 (C)(6) tax exempt business league. The Internal Revenue Service has reviewed RESA bylaws, policies, and procedures.
______________________________
IRS website
A 501 (C)(6) business league is an association of persons having some common business interest, the purpose of which is to promote such common interest and not to engage in a regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit. Trade associations and professional associations are business leagues. To be exempt, a business league’s activities must be devoted to improving business conditions of one or more lines of business as distinguished from performing particular services for individual persons. No part of a business league’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder, or individual, l and it may not be organized for profit to engage in an activity ordinarily carried on for profit (even if the business is operated on a cooperative basis or produces only enough income to be self-sustaining). The term line of business generally refers either to an entire industry or to all components of an industry within a geographic area. It does not include a group composed of businesses that market a particular brand within an industry.
© 2012 Real Estate Staging Association, INC.
For more information on RESA®, please visit www.
Shell delivers incredible and effective strategies with passion that is so contagious it motivates clients to make necessary changes so they can have the business they desire.
Shell's fans agree, after working with her, "Making the Right Choice, Just Got Easier™!" Call me today 209-623-5809!
- Home Staging Awards 2024: How to Gain Industry Recognition and Showcase Your Talent - April 23, 2024
- Designations, Certifications, Accreditation, and Regulation - January 12, 2018
- Ask A RESA Expert – I Have GOT To Find More Real Estate Agents! - November 1, 2017
