When Is a Real Estate Agent a REALTOR®?

A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she becomes a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the world’s largest professional association. The term REALTOR® identifies a real estate professional as a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 agents, to more than 1 million members today. NAR is composed of REALTORS® who are involved in residential and commercial real estate as brokers, salespeople, property managers, counselors and others who are engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry.

Members belong to one or more of 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territorial associations of REALTORS®. They can join one of the many institutes, societies and councils. Additionally, NAR offers members the opportunity to be active in our appraisal and international real estate specialty sections. REALTORS® are pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Working for America’s property owners, the NAR provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members.

An NAR advertising campaign runs from February through October to help homebuyers and sellers understand how they will know their agent is a REALTOR®. They will know by looking for the REALTOR® “R” on business cards, yard signs, and when members are wearing their REALTOR® pin.