REALTOR® Code of Ethics

ATTENTION REALTOR® MEMBERS:  
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!  REALTOR® CODE OF ETHICS TRAINING NEEDED BY DEC. 31. 2024!

REALTOR® Code of Ethics training (2.5 hours every 3 years), is a membership requirement by the National Association of REALTORS®. The REALTOR® Code raises the bar and holds REALTORS® accountable to a higher level of service and practice in our business. When applied, the Code of Ethics betters us and changes our business and how others think about us in our profession!”.

This is a DEADLINE year and must be completed by December 31, 2024.

Not Sure if You've Satisfied Ethics?

CHECK HERE

Satisfy your REALTOR® COE requirement and be entered into a drawing July 31, 2024 for a $500 gift card!

Click HERE for Sweepstakes Official Rules

Satisfy your NAR REALTOR® Code of Ethics Today!
Choose for These 2 Options

Option 1:
LIBOR’s Video-based Instruction

Option 2:
NAR’s self-guided Online Reading Instruction

Pathways to Professionalism

Issues of courtesy and etiquette are also important factors when it comes to NAR's Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice.

The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of REALTORS® establishes objective, enforceable ethical standards governing the professional conduct of REALTORS®. This list of suggested professional courtesies is meant to complement the Code of Ethics, may not be all-inclusive, and may be supplemented by local custom and practice.

These Professional courtesies are intended to be used by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis, and cannot form the basis for a professional standards complaint.

Respect for the Public

  1. Follow the "Golden Rule”: Do unto other as you would have them do unto you.
  2. Respond promptly to inquiries and requests for information.
  3. Schedule appointments and showings as far in advance as possible.
  4. Communicate promptly if you are delayed or must cancel an appointment or showing. If a prospective buyer decides not to view
    an occupied home, promptly communicate the situation to the listing broker or the occupant.
  5. When entering a property ensure that unexpected situations, such as pets, are handled appropriately.
  6. Never criticize property in the presence of the occupant.
  7. 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.
  8. Present a professional appearance.
  9. If occupants are home during showings, ask their permission before using the bathroom.
  10. Encourage the clients of other brokers to direct questions to their agent or representative.
  11. Communicate clearly; ensure specialized language and real estate terminology is understood.
  12. Be aware of and respect cultural differences. Show courtesy and respect to everyone.
  13. Be aware of—and meet—all deadlines.
  14. Promise only what you can deliver—and keep your promises.
  15. Do not tell people what you think—tell them what you know.

Respect for Property

  1. When showing a property, be responsible for your clients/customers and keep the group together.
  2. Make reasonable and timely accommodations to provide access to listed properties.
  3. Make reasonable and timely requests to access listed properties.
  4. Leave the property as you found it (lights, heating, cooling, drapes, etc.) If you think something is amiss (e.g. vandalism), contact the listing broker immediately.
  5. Be considerate of the seller's property. Do not allow anyone to eat, drink, smoke, dispose of trash, use bathing or sleeping facilities, or bring pets. When instructed or appropriate, remove footwear when entering property.
  6. Obtain permission before photographing, videographing, or streaming the interiors or exteriors of properties, or allowing others to do so.

Respect for Peers

  1. Respond to other real estate professionals' communications promptly and courteously.
  2. Contact the listing broker if there appears to be a discrepancy in the listing information.
  3. Inform anyone accessing the property about important information, (e.g., pets, security systems, video and audio recording equipment).
  4. Inform if sellers or listing agent will be present during the showing.
  5. Show courtesy, trust, and respect to other real estate professionals.
  6. Avoid the inappropriate use of endearments or other denigrating language.
  7. Do not prospect at other REALTORS®' open houses or similar events.
  8. Secure property and lockbox and/or return keys promptly.
  9. Real estate is a reputation business. What you do today may affect your reputation—and business—for years to come.

Most Frequent Questions

No. All REALTORS® who completed a LIBOR course approved for Code of Ethics in this period are recorded in our system and we have notified NAR. You do not need to do anything. If you took a LIBOR approved Code of Ethics class at a school other than LIBOR since 1/1/2022, please email your certificate to COE@lirealtor.com.

Yes, certified Appraiser members, Commercial Real Estate members and Attorney members are also required to complete Ethics and the National Association of REALTORS® course offers Code of Ethics modules specific to appraisers and commercial real estate practitioners. Any of the options will satisfy your NAR COE training but know that there are courses geared toward your profession.

The only exemptions are members who have reached REALTOR® Emeritus status or those who have earned the C2EX Endorsement from the National Association of REALTORS® . Even if you are exempt from CE in NY (ends July 1, 2021) you still MUST TAKE ETHICS for NAR.

It’s easy! Go to http://lirealtor.com and click on Profile. Log in with Stratus ID and password. Your profile page shows your completion status.

Not a thing! If you check your member profile on http://lirealtor.com/ethics you will see our message of congratulations

Seems like just yesterday, right? But you must RETAKE the course as a refresher now and will need to retake the course again every three years.

Yes. All REALTORS® throughout the country must complete 2.5 hours of NAR COE training every 3 years.

The only exemptions are:

  • REALTORS® who hold Emeritus status. The REALTOR® Emeritus status eligibility requirements are:
    • Forty (40) years of REALTOR® or REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® (or both) membership
    • Proof of one (1) year of service* at the National Association level ("Service" is defined as serving as an NAR officer, director, committee member, Federal Political Coordinator, Global Ambassador, or Global Coordinator to a country with which NAR holds a reciprocal agreement.)
  • REALTORS® who have earned the C2EX Endorsement from the National Association of REALTORS®

YES! Every New Agent Orientation program offered incorporated a Code of Ethics presentation into the program.

NO.

Email your Certificate of Completion to your primary association. LIBOR will not need to record your ethics satisfaction at all.

It is your responsibility to obtain another copy. This can usually bedone by calling the sponsor of the course you took and requesting an original copy.

Please don’t wait – aren’t you tired of our emails? We urge you to complete your requirement as soon as possible and once you do, all email reminders from LIBOR will end.

First, check your member profile on http://lirealtor.com. If you see that you have not satisfied your Code of Ethics, then go to http://lirealtor.com/ethics for the list of options on how to complete the course.

Since NY does not permit you to carry over extra CE credits, we recommend you take the FREE NAR course. http://lirealtor.com/ethics

No, training on the USPAP or the rules of professional responsibility are not a substitute for training on the Code of Ethics because those courses don’t deal with the Code of Ethics of the National Association and its obligations.

No, NAR mandates that all REALTOR® members take the training specifically on the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

YES! NAR has now mandated that REALTORS® must take an approved Code of Ethics class every three years. The next three-year period begins January 1, 2025, and ends December 31, 2027.

More Information

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Code of Ethics Standards of Practice
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