THE REALTOR® CODE OF ETHICS

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Code of Ethics is a 2.5 hour course due every three years and required for all NAR members.

What does this mean for you? It’s actually quite simple and Cape Fear REALTORS® has you covered. Here are the four easy steps to complete your ethics requirement before the due date:

 

1. Check your ethics status - if your coe requirement was satisfied, skip to step 5!

       how to check your status check your coe status 

2. Sign up for a class – see below course offerings you can access. Find the one that works best for you.

OPTIONS FOR COURSES:  

online:

NAR offers a FREE online Ethics course.  To ACCESS THE COURSE PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW: (please note: this class does NOT fulfill your license credit requirements) Code of Ethics Course for Existing Members (learning.realtor)

 

NAR C2EX endorsement (free; no CE). Fulfills ethics requirement.

And NAR’s “C2EX” online program is a Code of Ethics Training Equivalency. As of November 2019, members who earn the Commitment to Excellence endorsement will satisfy the Code of Ethics training requirement. So, you can also complete NAR’s C2EX Commitment to Excellence Program for FREE by clicking the link below: REALTORS® Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) (nar.realtor)  (Please note: The C2EX Endorsement does not qualify for Continuing Education credits through state licensing bodies)

 

CE shop Ethics course ($49; 4 hrs. CE)

 

3. ATTEND THE CLASS – THIS IS SELF-EXPLANATORY, BUT WE COULD ALL BENEFIT FROm THAT LITTLE EXTRA PUSH TO SHOW UP.

 

4. If you have taken an Ethics class after January 1, 2025, outside of CFR:

Send a copy of your certificate to karen@capefear.realtor. If NCREC shows you have completed an Ethics class, it is your responsibility to send the certificate to CFR so we can update your NAR record with this completion.

 

5. Give yourself a high five – You did it!

 

 

Download the 2024 Manual:

• PDF version (3.82 MB) 
• Word version (363.82 KB) 

 

Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.

In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, REALTORS® continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others. They identify and take steps, through enforcement of this Code of Ethics and by assisting appropriate regulatory bodies, to eliminate practices which may damage the public or which might discredit or bring dishonor to the real estate profession. REALTORS® having direct personal knowledge of conduct that may violate the Code of Ethics involving misappropriation of client or customer funds or property, willful discrimination, or fraud resulting in substantial economic harm, bring such matters to the attention of the appropriate Board or Association of REALTORS®. (Amended 1/00)

Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, REALTORS® urge exclusive representation of clients; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners. In instances where their opinion is sought, or where REALTORS® believe that comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain.

The term REALTOR® has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal.

In the interpretation of this obligation, REALTORS® can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, “Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

Accepting this standard as their own, REALTORS® pledge to observe its spirit in all of their activities whether conducted personally, through associates or others, or via technological means, and to conduct their business in accordance with the tenets set forth below. (Amended 1/07)

FAQS:

WHAT HAPPENS IF A REALTOR® DOESN’T MEET THE TRAINING REQUIREMENT ON TIME?

From NAR: Failure to meet the requirement is a violation of a membership requirement and results in suspension of membership until the requirement is met or until membership is automatically terminated.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF MEMBERSHIP SUSPENSION?

From NAR: A REALTOR® who is suspended for not meeting the REALTORS® ethics training requirement – all the rights, privileges, and services he or she is entitled to receive because he or she is a REALTOR® are suspended until he or she satisfies the training requirement. While suspended, his or her obligation to abide by the Code of Ethics continues, as does the obligation to pay dues. 

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF MEMBERSHIP SUSPENSION ON MLS?

Suspension of REALTOR® membership will, in most instances, have no effect on MLS participatory or user/subscriber privileges.

The exception would be if a REALTOR® (principal) MLS Participant is suspended for not meeting the ethics training requirement. Under such circumstances, continued MLS access is not available to licensees affiliated with a suspended Participant unless participatory privileges are transferred to another principal in the firm. MLS participatory rights cannot be suspended for REALTORS® (principals) in states where MLSs are required by law to provide MLS participatory rights to nonmembers or where an association has voluntarily opened its MLS to nonmember participation.

HOW LONG CAN A MEMBER BE SUSPENDED FOR NOT COMPLETING THEIR REALTORS® ETHICS TRAINING?

Failure to meet the requirement for any three-year cycle will result in suspension of membership for the first two months (January and February) of the year following the end of any two (3) year cycle or until the requirement is met, whichever occurs sooner.

On March 1 of that year, the membership of a member who is still suspended as of that date will be automatically terminated.