The National Land Podcast

Inside the REALTORS® Land Institute: The ALC Designation and the Network Behind America’s Best Land Agents

June 8, 2026

There are roughly 1.6 million licensed real estate agents in the United States. Only 749 of them hold the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation. That gap is the whole conversation.

RLI CEO Aubrie Kobernus and two-time past president Jeramy Stephens join Mac Christian for a full breakdown of what the REALTORS® Land Institute is, what it is not, and why it matters to anyone buying, selling or brokering land. They cover the 80-year history of the organization, the difference between holding a real estate license and being a Realtor, and why land transactions are complex enough that the wrong agent can cost a client tens of thousands of dollars before anyone realizes it.

On the agent side, they walk through the full path from RLI membership to the ALC designation, what the courses actually cover, and why RLI members averaged $36 million in annual sales compared to $16 million for non-members in 2025. On the consumer side, they explain exactly how to find a land specialist in any state in the country and why AI is already sending people directly to the ALC search tool when they ask what to do with inherited land.

Whether you are a land agent wondering if the designation is worth it or a landowner trying to figure out who to trust with your most valuable asset, this episode answers both questions.

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About National Land Realty
National Land Realty specializes in farm, ranch, recreational, timber, country estates, and commercial development properties. We’ve created the world’s best way to buy, sell, lease, and experience land. One seamless hub of knowledge, unprecedented data, and game-changing technology— accessible from anywhere. Our agents offer local expertise, with the support of a national network.