Code of Ethics Toolkit
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Everything You Need to Know About the Realtor Code of Ethics

All Realtors are required to abide by the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics. Here's a look at what that entails.

The Code of Ethics is an important part of what separates Realtors from other real estate professionals. And all members must pass Code of Ethics training every two years. 

The National Association of Realtors' Code of Ethics, adopted in 1913, was one of the first codifications of ethical duties adopted by any business group. The code ensures that consumers are served by requiring Realtors to cooperate with one another in furthering clients' best interests.

The code covers duties to clients and customers, to the public, and to other Realtors.

NAR resources

Training requirements

All Realtors are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time within two-year cycles, through 2020. After 2021, the cycle will be three years. A new cycle began January 1, 2019.

The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by NAR and only courses and equivalencies provided by a local, state, or national REALTOR® association can satisfy the Code of Ethics training requirement.

Training options

Florida Realtors offers Code of Ethics training, and many of the classes are held at your local board. Other classes are Training may be completed through local Realtor associations or through another method, such as home study, correspondence, classroom courses, or online courses.

Filing a Code of Ethics complaint or arbitration request

If you believe that a Realtor has violated one or more Articles of the Code of Ethics, you can file an ethics complaint alleging a violation(s) through the local Realtor association where the REALTOR® holds membership or participates in a Realtor association-owned/operated MLS. You may search for a member's local affiliation here.