Education Programs at BOMA/Chicago
BOMA/Chicago provides over 20 education programs annually to support and advance the careers of commercial real estate (CRE) professionals at all levels. Hosted at convenient downtown Chicago locations and led by industry experts, our courses equip you with practical skills and knowledge to excel in your career.
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RPA & FMA Designations | Lunch & Learns | Scholarships | Mentorship | Education on Demand
Real Property Administrator (RPA) Designation
BOMA/Chicago partners with BOMI International to offer the Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation—one of the industry's leading credentials for property management professionals. The RPA program equips you with the knowledge and skills to optimize building operations, increase asset value, and navigate key areas such as risk management, law, and financial performance.
Our courses are offered in a flexible hybrid format, allowing students to balance professional responsibilities, personal life, and education. Classes are recorded for convenient review or on-demand viewing—but many students choose to attend in person to connect with peers and build their professional network.
How to Earn Your RPA:
- Complete all eight required courses and one elective.
- Pass exams after each class (taken online).
- Pass the cumulative RPA Capstone Exam through Pearson Vue.
- Submit a form verifying you have three years of CRE experience.
BOMA/Chicago Offers all Eight Required RPA Courses:
- Budgeting and Accounting
Environmental Health and Safety Issues - Ethics is Good Business
Law and Risk Management - Real Estate Investment and Finance
- The Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part I
- The Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part II
- Choose One Elective Course:
- Asset Management
- Leasing and Marketing for Property Managers
- Managing the Organization
Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) Designation
While BOMA/Chicago primarily focuses on the RPA program, we also offer select courses for BOMI International’s Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) designation. Many of these courses overlap with RPA requirements.
The FMA designation is ideal for professionals managing the operations and maintenance of facilities, with a focus on planning, project management, environmental health, and building systems.
BOMA/Chicago Offers Four of the Six Required FMA Courses:
- Environmental Health and Safety Issues
- Ethics is Good Business
- The Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part I
- The Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Building Systems, Part II
BOMA/Chicago offers two of the approved FMA electives:
- Asset Management
- Real Estate Investment and Finance
Certificate Programs
For those new to commercial real estate, BOMI International’s certificate programs—offered through BOMA/Chicago—provide foundational knowledge to help professionals better understand their roles and grow in their careers. These programs can also serve as a stepping stone toward earning a full designation.
Lunch & Learn Webinars
For Affiliate Members: Your Platform to Present, Connect, and Lead.
BOMA/Chicago’s Lunch & Learn webinars offer Affiliate Members a unique opportunity to showcase their industry knowledge while supporting the operational excellence of our city's commercial buildings.
These hour-long sessions, hosted monthly and free to all members, serve as a valuable educational benefit and regularly attract audiences ranging from 20 to 250 participants. Affiliate presenters can share timely insights on commercial real estate topics, best practices, and emerging trends—while also providing a brief, non-sales-focused overview of their company and services. Each session includes a live Q&A for real-time engagement and discussion.
Presenters benefit from lasting visibility, as recordings are featured on the BOMA/Chicago website, and receive access to the attendee roster for post-event networking. Lunch & Learns are a powerful platform to build connections, expand your client base, and position yourself as a trusted expert in the CRE industry.
Complete the application and submit your presentation slides for the BOMA/Chicago Education Committee to review. If approved, we’ll work with you to schedule your session and handle all logistics—including registration, marketing, and Zoom platform setup—so you can focus on delivering a high-impact presentation.
Presentation Guidelines
- Content must be timely, relevant, and applicable to the commercial real estate industry.
- Presentations should offer practical strategies, best practices, tools, and resources that support property management professionals.
- While you may include a brief overview of your company, the session should not be a direct sales pitch.
Fees
- Online Webinar: $500 (after approval and scheduling)
- In-Person Lunch & Learn: $200 (We also encourage Affiliate Members to provide lunch for attendees.)
Mentorship Program
Behind every successful professional is often a mentor who provides guidance, support, and encouragement along the way. At BOMA/Chicago, we believe in the power of mentorship to transform careers and lives. That’s why we created a mentorship program specifically for RPA and FMA students—to help foster connections, build confidence, and unlock potential.
Why Join Our Mentorship Program?
- Develop meaningful, lasting connections with industry professionals.
- Gain real-world knowledge and practical advice to navigate your career.
- Be inspired, encouraged, and empowered to achieve your goals.
Mentee Requirements:
- Actively enrolled in RPA/FMA courses.
- Committed to graduating in two to three years.
- Participate in quarterly meetings and program activities until graduation.
Mentor Requirements:
- Seven or more years of CRE experience.
- Active member of BOMA/Chicago and an RPA/FMA graduate.
- Committed to supporting mentees through their designation program.
Scholarships
The BOMA/Chicago Foundation is proud to support individuals advancing their careers in commercial real estate through four distinct scholarships. These opportunities are designed to help professionals pursuing the Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation achieve their goals without financial barriers. Scholarships Include:
- Full Designation Scholarship - Full tuition ($10,000) for the RPA designation
- Ollie Scholarship- Full tuition ($10,000) for the RPA designation
- Single Course Scholarship - Tuition ($1,400) for one RPA or FMA designation course
- Foundations Class Scholarship - Tuition ($950) for the CRE 101 Foundations of Real Estate Management Class
Education on Demand
This members-only webpage features recordings of previous webinars. These videos are free to view and members can also access the presentation slides. Click here to access.
Partnership with National Louis University
BOMA/Chicago has teamed up with National Louis University (NLU) to help you get ahead in your career. NLU understands the demands of balancing work, life, and school — offering flexible programs designed to fit your schedule. Courses are built around real-world, industry-focused case studies, allowing you to apply what you learn directly to your day-to-day work.
As a longtime partner of BOMA/Chicago, NLU offers up to a 20% tuition discount on undergraduate and graduate programs for BOMA/Chicago Members and their immediate families (spouses and children). Click to learn more!
