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A. In Salutations, Addresses, Signatures
It has become customary in some areas for one Member to address another Member as, for example, "REALTOR Jones". Since such usage of the terms REALTOR®, REALTORS® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® is not inconsistent with either the laws governing the use of registered marks or the objectives of the PROGRAM, such usage has been accommodated by the policies and guidelines adopted by the National Association.
The following salutations are acceptable:
"Dear REALTOR® Jim" (first name)
"Dear REALTOR® Smith" (last name)
"Dear REALTOR® Jones and Mr. Doe"
"Dear REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® Martin"
Spoken use or written use in the following way is permitted:
"I respect the views of REALTORS® Smith and Jones and of Mr. Doe who is a non-member broker."
"According to REALTOR® Smith and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® Martin, interest rates are a major factor."
In signatories, the following are acceptable:
Sincerely,
REALTOR®
Smith
Cordially,
REALTORS® Smith and Jones
Yours very truly,
REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® Martin
B. On Business Cards
Business cards usually carry a firm name and the name of an individual. Depending on the membership status of the individual named and the standing of the firm's principals, it may be appropriate to use one of the terms REALTOR®, REALTORS® or REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® with either or both names. The guidelines and policies governing use of these terms with the firm name are covered in the next section entitled "With Firm Name". This section focuses only on use of those terms in association with an individual's name.
If the individual is a REALTOR® Member, the term REALTOR® may be used adjacent the Member's name provided appropriate separating punctuation is also used. The preferred form for the term is all capital letters and the registration symbol "®".
Firm Name
Street
City, State
John Doe, REALTOR®
Other information about the individual, such as his status within the firm, a telephone number, or his license status or specialty area of practice, may also be indicated.
Firm Name
Street
City, State
John Doe, REALTOR®
President
Appraiser/Broker
Phone:
In some states, licensees must include on business cards their license status (e.g.,broker, broker-associate, salesperson, etc.). Under no circumstances should an attempt be made to satisfy such a requirement by use of one of the terms REALTOR®, REALTORS® or REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®. To do so is to use the terms REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® interchangeably with the terms broker or broker-associate or salesperson. Even if the applicable license law, regulations or regulatory body charged with enforcement permit such substitution it is prohibited by these policies for use of the MARKS. The REALTOR® MARKS are not, and may never be used as, a designation of a person's licensed status.
A non-member is never permitted to use the term REALTOR® or REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® adjacent his name on a business card or anywhere else, even if he is employed by or affiliated with a REALTOR® firm.
The form of use limitations described above regarding capitalization, separating punctuation, and the registration symbol "®" apply to use of the terms REALTOR®, REALTORS® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® adjacent the individual's name on business cards and must be followed. Provided those requirements are observed, Members are at liberty to design their business cards as they see fit.