NAR Professional Standards Update

The NAR Professional Standards Committee met on October 5, 2020, to consider recommendations from its Interpretations and Procedures Advisory Board on the Code of Ethics’ applicability to discriminatory speech and conduct. The Committee approved the Advisory Board’s recommendations, therefore six of them were presented to the NAR Board of Directors for a vote at their November 13, 2020 meeting.

As of today, November 13, 2020, these recommendations are approved by the NAR Board of Directors and are effective immediately.  The changes cannot be applied to speech or conduct that occurred before the effective date.

The NAR BOD strengthened REALTORS®’ commitment to upholding fair housing ideals, approving a series of recommendations from NAR’s Professional Standards Committee that extend the application of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics to discriminatory speech and conduct outside of members’ real estate practices.

These recommendations prohibit REALTORS® from using harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity the provision of professional services and in employment practices.

Please refer to the NAR FAQs if you have any questions.

Recommendation 1: 
To amend Policy Statement 29, Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual: to expand applicability of the Code of Ethics’ to all of a REALTOR®’s activities.

  • 29. Applicability of the Code of Ethics: A REALTOR® shall be subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Ethics with respect to all of their activities.

Recommendation 2:
The  changes to Policy Statement 29, Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual, became effective upon final approval.

Recommendation 3:
To add the following new Standard of Practice under Article 10:

  • Standard of Practice 10-5: REALTORS® must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Recommendation 4:
That proposed Standard of Practice 10-5 become effective upon final approval.

Recommendation 5:
That the definition of “public trust” be expanded to include all discrimination against the protected classes under Article 10 of the Code of Ethics and all fraud.

  • Associations are required to share with the state real estate licensing authority final ethics decisions holding REALTORS® in violation of the Code of Ethics in instances involving real estate-related activities and transactions where there is reason to believe the public trust may have been violated.

Recommendation 6:
To amend Appendix VII to Part Four, Sanctioning Guidelines, Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual, to provide more specific guidance for hearing panels on determining discipline for violations of Article 10, Article 3 as interpreted by Standard of Practice 3-11, and violations of the public trust; and to adopt a new Appendix that would provide guidance on revised Policy Statement 29 and Standard of Practice 10-5.