Changes to the NAR Code of Ethics

Louisiana REALTORS • November 26, 2019

The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors made changes to the Code of Ethics at their November 2019 meeting in San Francisco.

REALTORS® have been required to take Code of Ethics training in order to keep their membership since 2001. How often a REALTOR must complete the training has changed a few times since then. The most recent change extends the training requirement from every two years to every three years and extends the current Cycle 6 deadline from December 31st, 2020, to December 31st, 2021. It’s important to note that this requirement is separate from the CE requirement for Louisiana real estate license renewal. In addition, while some education vendors in our state have the Code of Ethics approved for CE credit, it does not necessarily mean a local association will accept it as their Code of Ethics requirement. In the future, only NAR and local associations will be approved to offer Code of Ethics Training.

Prior to the NAR board meeting, the NAR Leadership Team heard and approved recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Group that did not require a vote by the Board of Directors. These include:

·        That the learning objectives for the existing-member Code of Ethics training be revised to include content on professional conduct, courtesies, business etiquette, and real-life scenarios.

·        That NAR establish Code of Ethics training equivalency options that members can take to satisfy the Code of Ethics training requirement, and that the Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) endorsement be an equivalency option.

·        That only courses and equivalencies provided by a local, state, or national REALTOR® association can satisfy the Code of Ethics training requirement.

·        That an implementation team be appointed to develop a microsite that compiles all available options for fulfilling the Code of Ethics training requirement, including C2EX ethics modules, NAR-approved online courses, and links to association-approved courses.

·        That the Core Standards requirements be amended to clarify an association's duties regarding administration of the Code of Ethics training requirement.

Regarding Professional Standards, a new Standard of Practice was adopted under Article 3 that REALTORS® may not refuse to cooperate on the basis of a broker's race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

For more information on the changes made at the November 2019 NAR Board of Directors meeting, view this NAR Special Report .

5.png
By Louisiana REALTORS® April 17, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on buying land and building a new home. This guide covers how to find land for sale, explains construction loans, and weighs the pros and cons of building a custom home. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Buying Land and Building a New Home Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property title theft.
5 Negotiation Secrets Smart Buyers Use to Get Better Deals
By Louisiana REALTORS® April 16, 2025
Negotiating a real estate deal can be overwhelming, especially for buyers who don’t have experience with the process. Here are five key negotiation strategies smart buyers use—and how working with a REALTOR® provides a competitive edge.
By Louisiana REALTORS® April 11, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on deeds and titles. This guide covers the difference between a deed and a title, common types of deeds, and title searches and insurance. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Marketing Your Home Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover buying land / constructing a new home.
Show More