Locate That Phrase: Test Your Knowledge of Professional Standards

Dear Shannon: Our Grievance Committee and Professional Standards Committee are looking for a simple way to refresh their knowledge of Professional Standards, but they also want me to make it fun.  We especially need a little assistance knowing the difference between what behaviors are more aspirational and what behaviors can lead to possible discipline. Can you help me with a little educational Fun With Professional Standards to test their knowledge?

Dear Fun With The Code: That’s a great idea! Generally, aspirational objectives can be found in The Preamble; professional courtesies are in Pathways to Professionalism; only violations of the Articles of the Code of Ethics can lead to disciplinary action; and Standards of Practice support, interpret and amplify the Articles under which they are stated. Here you go – have fun testing your knowledge with Locate That Phrase!

Where are these statements located in The Code Of Ethics And Arbitration Manual?

1. “Under all is the land.”
   1. The Preamble
   2. Pathways to Professionalism
   3. Standard of Practice 1-12
   4. Article 6
   5. None of the above

2. “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.”
   1. Pathways to Professionalism
   2. The Preamble
   3. Standard of Practice 12-5
   4. Article 1
   5. None of the above

3. “Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce.” (emphasis added)
   1. Pathways to Professionalism
   2. Standard of Practice 1-1
   3. The Preamble
   4. Article 16
   5. None of the above

4. “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.”
   1. Pathways to Professionalism
   2. Standard of Practice 10-5
   3. Article 3
   4. The Preamble
   5. None of the above

5. “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.”
   1. The Preamble
   2. Pathways to Professionalism
   3. Standard of Practice 16-9
   4. Article 14
   5. None of the above

6. “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.” (emphasis added)
   1. Pathways to Professionalism
   2. The Preamble
   3. Standard of Practice 4-1
   4. Article 11
   5. None of the above

7. “REALTORS® shall not undertake to provide professional services concerning a property or its value where they have a present or contemplated interest unless such interest is specifically disclosed to all affected parties.”
   1. Pathways to Professionalism
   2. Standard of Practice 3-11
   3. Article 5
   4. The Preamble
   5. None of the above

8. “REALTORS®, prior to or after their relationship with their current firm is terminated, shall not induce clients of their current firm to cancel exclusive contractual agreements between the client and that firm. This does not preclude REALTORS® (principals) from establishing agreements with their associated licensees governing assignability of exclusive agreements.”
   1. Article 10
   2. Pathways to Professionalism
   3. The Preamble
   4. Standard of Practice 16-20
   5. None of the above

9. “REALTORS® who have a present ownership interest in property for sale or lease, or contemplated interest to purchase or lease property, must disclose in writing the existence of such interest to all parties to the transaction prior to a party signing any agreement.”
   1. Article 4
   2. Pathways to Professionalism
   3. Standard of Practice 2-1
   4. The Preamble
   5. None of the above

10. “REALTORS® shall submit offers and counter-offers objectively and as quickly as possible.”
    1. Pathways to Professionalism
    2. Standard of Practice 1-6
    3. The Preamble
    4. Article 2
    5. None of the above

11. “The obligation to refrain from making false or misleading statements about other real estate professionals, their businesses, and their business practices includes the duty to not knowingly or recklessly publish, repeat, retransmit, or republish false or misleading statements made by others. This duty applies whether false or misleading statements are repeated in person, in writing, by technological means (e.g., the Internet), or by any other means.” (emphasis added)
    1. Pathways to Professionalism
    2. The Preamble
    3. Standard of Practice 15-2
    4. Article 13
    5. None of the above

12. “When showing an occupied home, always ring the doorbell or knock — and announce yourself loudly — before entering. Knock and announce yourself loudly before entering any closed room.”
    1. Standard of Practice 1-7
    2. The Preamble
    3. Article 12
    4. Pathways to Professionalism
    5. None of the above

If you can Locate That Phrase correctly, without referencing a copy of The Code Of Ethics And Arbitration Manual, then you know your stuff! And if you found yourself flipping through the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual looking for answers, you’ll have read through almost all 17 Articles!  Congratulations!

Answers: 1. a, 2. b, 3. c, 4. d, 5. a, 6. b, 7. c, 8. d, 9. a, 10. b, 11. c, 12. d

Shannon Allen is an attorney and Florida Realtors Director of Local Association Services

Note: Information deemed accurate on date of publication

© 2025 Florida Realtors®