Ethics & Professional Standards
The Heart of the Profession
The NAR Code of Ethics* lies at the heart of being a REALTOR®. Since its adoption in 1913, the Code has promoted time-honored principles that are generally defined as:
- Loyalty to clients
- Fiduciary duty to clients
- Cooperation with competitors
- Truthfulness in statements and advertising and non-interference in exclusive relationships that other REALTORS® have with their clients.
*2008 version; changes are underlined. Summary of 2008 changes.
REALTOR® members who violate the Code of Ethics can be subject to sanctions by their local Association through procedures established by NAR.
If you believe another REALTOR® has violated the code or the law there are various ways you can attempt to
resolve the complaint.
Basic information on those professional standards procedures are available here, but to report a potential violation of the Code, you need to contact your local association .
Remember -- potential legal violations are handled by the State Real Estate Commission, not the local association.
Procedures for filing licensure complaints are also available.
PAR provides Professional Standards training at least once a year to members of locals associations across the state and provides other resources both to members and to the local staff charged with running the process.
Local Associations are also responsible for providing mediation as part of their services.
There are two types of mediation:
- One is required to be offered to members who seek to arbitrate fee disputes.
- Another is offered on a voluntary basis to help buyers and sellers mediate disputes between them.
PAR offers periodic training seminars to help train local mediators.
Complaint Process