NAR: MLS Access Decision Left to Locals
After a major risk assessment, NAR repealed its rule requiring membership for MLS access and clarified local control.
HOUSTON — The National Association of Realtors® on Monday announced 18 updates to its Multiple Listing Policy Handbook. The changes, which will go into effect in January 2026, were approved by NAR’s Executive Committee during NAR NXT, The Realtor® Experience, which took place in Houston, Nov. 14–16.
Earlier this year, NAR engaged a national law firm to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of its MLS policies. To review the risk assessment and make any recommendations, NAR 2025 President Kevin Sears established a presidential advisory group (PAG) composed of a diverse collection of MLS executives, brokers, association executives and industry partners.
Before going for Executive Committee vote, the PAG’s 18 recommendations were reviewed and approved by NAR’s MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board as well as the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee.
The changes remove outdated MLS enforcement practices, modernize administrative, operations and enforcement rules and reinforce matters of local discretion, such as non-member access to MLS.
“These updates to the MLS Handbook strengthen and modernize NAR’s policies and reflect our efforts to align MLS policies with how real estate professionals do business today,” says Sears, whose two-year term as NAR president ended at the conclusion of Monday’s Board of Directors meeting. “I want to thank each of our MLS PAG members, who represent a broad cross-section of our industry, for their time, ideas and passion. Their recommendations will help our organization and our industry move forward.”
Approval of these recommendations – the most extensive update to the Handbook in 20 years – is the latest example of how the association is systematically analyzing, assessing and addressing legal risks.
“NAR will continue to review and implement policy modifications, when necessary, with transparency and in a timely manner, to ensure that policies remain current and in line with the evolving needs of our members and the industry,” Sears says.
© 2025 National Association of Realtors® (NAR)