The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

The Code establishes time-honored and baseline principles that come from the collective experiences of REALTORS® since the Code of Ethics was first established in 1913. Those principles can be loosely defined as:

• Loyalty to clients
• Fiduciary (legal) duty to clients
• Cooperation with competitors
• Truthfulness in statements and advertising; and non-interference in exclusive relationships that other REALTORS® have with their clients.

Members belong to one or more of some 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®. Additionally, they can join one of our many institutes, societies and councils to enhance their expertise and network with other professionals globally. Membership in a local association automatically extends your membership to the state association and national association.