National Association of REALTORS® Ethics Training Requirement
Frequently Asked Questions & Simple Explanations
I have taken an approved ethics course.
Q: What is this all about?
A: Effective January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004, and for successive four year periods thereafter (i.e., 1/1/05-12/31/08, 1/1/09-12/31/12), REALTORS® are required to complete quadrennial ethics training of not less than two hours and thirty minutes of instructional time. REALTORS® completing such training during any four-year cycle shall not be required to complete additional ethics training in respect of this requirement as a requirement of membership in any other board or association.
In other words: You need to take an ethics course that is specifically 2.5 hours of ONLY ethics every four years.
Q: If I took one or all of the following classes…
- Legislate update & ethics
- GRI Series
- Broker Pre-certification classes (GRI 400 Series)
…does that fulfill the requirement?
A: No. These classes touch on ethics, but it is 2.5 hours of solely ethics training. The correct class that CAR offers that fulfills the requirement is called "Ethics - It's Good For Business"
In other words: Sorry, but no.
Q: If I am a brokerage firm and want to see if the training I provide my agents will fulfill the NAR ethics training requirement, where do I go?
A: You may download the NAR-mandated outline at ethics_training_outline.pdf.
In other words: Your course must cover the subjects and meet the criteria explained in the outline.
Q: What if I took the New Member Orientation class through CAR between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2004?
A: You're done for this four-year cycle! "Ethics - It's Good For Business" is offered as part of our New Member Orientation.
In other words: Great. Just double check that your name is on our list of members who have taken the course through CAR.
Q: If I fulfill this requirement, does it count towards my continuing education/license renewal requirement?
A: No. An ethics course that simply contains "ethics" in the title, such as Legislative Update & Ethics, or the GRI and broker series classes, does not fulfill the NAR requirement.
In other words: The courses that are required for MD, DE & VA license renewal only briefly touch upon ethics.
Q: Why can't I "kill two birds with one stone?"
A: As a REALTOR®, you pledge to abide by the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics. Therefore, you must know the Code of Ethics and know how to apply them in the everyday "rush & crush" of the real estate market. Unfortunately, the local real estate boards/commissions do not require this kind of training.
In other words: As a REALTOR®, you are held up to a superior level of performance than the basic requirements to maintain your real estate license.
Q: This seems like a nuisance. Why is NAR doing this?
A: As a REALTOR® you are not just a real estate agent. You are a cut above the rest and should take pride in the high standards of NAR and its nearly one million members.
In other words: NAR wants to make sure that while all of its members are successful and at the same time ethical, professional real estate salespersons or brokers.
Q: How do I know if I have fulfilled the requirement?
A: If you have taken an "Ethics - It's Good For Business" class through CAR since January 1, 2001, you have fulfilled your requirement. A list of all CAR members who have fulfilled the requirement by attending an ethics course through CAR is listed at ethicslisting.htm. If you have taken the NAR online course, you have fulfilled the requirement.
In other words: Take a look.
Q: What if I took it at CAR and I don't see my name on the Web site?
A: Fax a copy of your continuing education card to the attention of "ETHICS" to (410) 641-4409.
In other words: We must have some sort of documentation before your name is listed on the Web site.
Q: What if I took an ethics course through another education provider?
A: If you have taken an ethics course through another education provider it is your responsibility to provide us with written proof of course completion. Fax a copy of your continuing education card or certificate of completion of an ethics course to the attention of "ETHICS" to (410) 641-4409.
In other words: Please send us proof of completion.
Q: What if I took the free NAR Online Ethics Training course?
A: If you have taken the free NAR Online Ethics Training course you have automatically fulfilled the requirement, therefore your name will not appear on any of the lists on this Web site since NAR already has record of you taking this class. However, we encourage that you keep any sort of correspondence from NAR proving that you have completed the online course. You do not have to fax us a copy of completion of the NAR Online Ethics course.
In other words: You're covered. NAR will have a record of it. Don't worry about finding your name on our Web site.
Q: How often is CAR updating its online lists of members who have completed the requirement?
A: Constantly! But we do ask that you allow 36 to 48 hours due to the volume of verifications we must process.
In other words: As often as we possibly can.
Q: If I need to take an ethics course, where do I go, what do I do?
A: If you know you have not taken an ethics course since January 1, 2001, you may register for a CAR course, or you may take the free NAR Online Ethics Training. [Please note: The free NAR Online Ethics Training will not satisfy your MD, DE, VA or PA continuing education requirements.]
In other words: Through CAR or through NAR online.
Q: What if I don't fulfill this requirement?
A: Failure to complete the required periodic ethics training shall be considered a violation of a membership duty for which REALTOR® membership shall be suspended until such time as the required training is completed.
In other words: If you don't complete 2.5 hours of ethics training every four years, you are not a REALTOR®.
Q: How is NAR going to know if I completed this ethics training?
A: CAR will provide NAR a list of all of our members who has completed an "Ethics - It's Good For Business" course through CAR between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2004.
In other words: They are going to request a list from us and we will oblige.
