In commercial real estate, the CCIM pin is more than just a credential, it stands as a symbol of mastery, grit, and credibility. For me, the road to earning the pin was no walk in the park, but that’s what made it worth it.
I began my journey on the Graduate Fast Track Membership, having completed my Master of Science in Real Estate from the University of San Diego in 2022. The MSRE program fulfilled three of the four core coursework requirements, giving me a head start. Becoming a CCIM Designee had always been a forethought of mine. Just about two years after completing the MSRE program I joined the San Diego CCIM Chapter, attended local events, and in January 2024 officially became a candidate.
The timing was ideal. CI103: User Decision Analysis for Commercial Real Estate was being held right on USD’s campus in April of 2024, so I enrolled. I knocked out the Ethics and Negotiations courses online, and thanks to more than five years in the brokerage industry, I was able to submit the streamlined portfolio, no small feat, but manageable.
With the portfolio approved, I registered for the Comprehensive Exam and booked my ticket to Houston, Texas to complete the final hurdle in September 2024. I was ready or so I thought. I missed passing by just six questions. Then, I missed it again the very next morning by six questions. Twice. Back-to-back. Gut punch. Twelve hours of testing and nothing to show for it. The Comprehensive Exam is held only twice a year, and two attempts are allowed. I would have to wait until April 2025 in Miami to get another shot.
At that point, I started to wonder if I was cut out for it. The exam isn’t easy—it’s built that way. Deep down, I knew I could not let those two misses define my journey. So, I regrouped. I studied harder. Rewired my approach. This time, when I sat for the exam in the Spring, I felt that I belonged there. I walked out knowing I’d passed, not just because I knew the material, but because I finally saw myself as worthy of the designation.
Adversity has a way of sharpening perspective. I’ve always respected the lessons that come through struggle more than the ones that come easily. And the silver lining? I got to celebrate in Miami with the San Diego Chapter that had supported me along the way.
Earning the pin wasn’t just about passing an exam—it meant becoming the professional I always aimed to be.
To anyone considering the CCIM journey: take the leap. Whether you pass on the first try or the third, the process will challenge you, grow you, and make you better. And when you finally put that pin on? You are officially a member of the most distinguished professionals worldwide in the industry.
Colin Pancrazi receiving the CCIM designation at the 2025 pinning ceremony in Miami, FL.