Roadmap for New AEs : Policy and Procedures

NAR Policies and Procedures to Know

Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
NAR Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, adopted in 1913, establishes standards of ethical practice that all REALTORS® agree to follow as a condition of their membership. These ethical requirements are a key factor separating REALTORS® from all other real estate practitioners. Local and state associations are responsible for teaching and enforcing ethics as well as fielding complaints and arbitrating disputes between members. Your main resource for ethics and policy information will be the Law & Policy Page of this site that hosts dozens of references and updates but start with the key documents below.

Professionalism in Real Estate Practice is a "shorthand" guide to the Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice providing a brief summary of each article and practice as well as referencing appropriate case interpretations.

 Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual provides policies and procedures that local and state associations use to enforce the Code of Ethics and includes the Interpretations to the Code that professional standards hearing panels use to apply the Code to specific ethical situations.

Mandatory Ethics Training This Q & A document provides info on the mandatory ethics training requirements for new and continuing members.

 Pathways to Professionalism is a list of professional courtesies for use by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis. The list may be supplemented by local custom and practice.

Membership Policy & NRDS

Associations are required to assure that all those applying for REALTOR® membership meet certain requirements. Associations must also maintain current and accurate records of all members in the National REALTOR® Database System (NRDS).The following documents and guides provide more details and help.

 Qualifications for REALTOR Membership is a listing of NAR membership qualifications for applicants who are sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers, or branch office managers in a real estate firm.

 NAR's Criteria for Keeping Membership Records is a set of technical and procedural skills all POEs (or Point of Entry membership data processors) must know in order to maintain membership records on NRDS. NAR uses NRDS data to mail and e-mail news, resources, and other important items to associations, their staff and members.

NRDS User Guide for Members gives directions on using the search capabilities of NRDS as well as how members can change their own records online. To be able to access NRDS, you need access to the Internet with Netscape or InternetExplorer browser 4.0 or higher, as well as having registered on OneRealtorPlace.com, NAR official member Web site.

 NRDS Tools your main guide to using NRDS, including the monthly NRDS news.

Board Document Compliance Policy

All of your association's governing documents, such as Articles of Incorporation, Board Bylaws, MLS Bylaws, MLS Rules and Regulations, and any other board policies, practices and procedures, must accurately reflect the spirit and intent of the policies, rules and regulations approved by NAR's Board of Directors. Therefore to ensure your associations' compliance with approved policy and to ensure your entitlement to Errors and Omissions Insurance protection, you should submit your governing documents to the Member Policy Department of NAR for review and approval on an annual basis. Click Here for more info.

Dues Collection Policy
To access the NAR Dues Collection policy including due dates, late fees, and delinquent procedures,  Click Here.

Fair Housing Policy
NAR along with its state and local associations are committed to promoting fair housing. The new Fair Housing Partnership between NAR and the Department of Housing and Urban Development focuses on identifying and eradicating housing discrimination in our communities. The  Fair Housing Partnership Guide, includes suggested fair housing office procedures, fair housing regulations, and a sample of the HUD Equal Housing Opportunity poster and logo for your office. To order call, 800-874-6500.

Multiple Listing Policy

The purpose of the multiple listing service policy is the orderly correlation and dissemination of listing information to its members so that REALTORS® may better serve the buying and selling public. The Handbook on Multiple Listing Policy is intended to guide Member Boards in the proper operation of a Multiple Listing Service and to provide suggested articles for insertion in Board bylaws authorizing the establishment of a Multiple Listing Service and bylaws and rules and regulations for the Service which, in the view of the National Association’s Multiple Listing Policy Committee and staff, will permit optimum service and efficiency. A Multiple Listing Service shall not enact or enforce any rules which restrict, limit or interfere with the actions of its members in their relations with each other or in their REALTOR®/client relationship or in the conduct of their business including. Click here for the  14 things your MLS policy can not do.

Board of Choice

What is Board of Choice? Under previous jurisdictional policies of the National Association, REALTORS® were required to join the board where their principal place of business is located, prior to joining any other board. The "Board of Choice" concept allows REALTORS® to choose the board to which they want to belong on the basis of the factors they decide are most important rather than being limited by office location or jurisdictional boundaries. At the same time, services of other boards are available without the necessity of holding membership in those boards. To view the Board of Choice and Board of Choice Across State Lines Policies and read answers to the frequently asked questions about board of choice,  click here. For additional information, please contact the Member Policy Department at 312/329-8399.

Legal Policy

NAR's Legal Affairs department can assist you with a variety of legal needs. Your main resource online is the Legal Connection Home Page. Below is a brief legal orientation and more documents on key legal issues to become familiar with:

     Eight Reasons to Call on NAR's Legal Affairs Dept.

  REALTOR Trademark Manual

Antitrust Compliance Guide