ETHICS TRAINING

In an ongoing effort to raise the level of professionalism and ethics in the real estate industry the National Association of REALTORS® has instituted a mandatory “Code of Ethics Biennial Training Cycle”. Starting January 2017, every REALTOR® member of every Association in the United States is required to complete ethics training of not less than 2.5 hours every three years.

The deadline for the current cycle is December 31, 2027. The "NAR Code of Ethics” includes a final exam to test your comprehension of the material and a downloadable certificate for your office. If this course is taken as a sanction for an ethics violation, the certification can be submitted as proof of completion.

Check your Ethics Training Status or take the free NAR or CAR versions of the training below!

FAIR HOUSING TRAINING

REALTORS® are required to complete Fair Housing / Anti-Bias Training upon becoming a member, and every 3 years thereafter, coinciding with the Code of Ethics training timeline. This requirement is in addition to the Code of Ethics training. Qualified training must be of not less than 2 hours of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. This requirement began January 1, 2025 with a deadline of December 31, 2027.

Training may be completed through NAR’s online courses or through another method, such as online or classroom courses via local/state associations. Read the consequences for failing to complete Fair Housing / Anti-Bias training. The options linked below all satisfy the requirement and are available online, free or for low cost. For a more in-depth FAQ regarding this requirement, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why do I have to do this?
A. In an ongoing effort to raise the level of professionalism, ethical behavior and fairness in the real estate industry the National Association of REALTORS® (N.A.R) has instituted a mandatory “Code of Ethics Biennial Training Cycle” and Mandatory Fair Housing Training. Every REALTOR® member of every Association in the United States is required to take a these training courses every three years.

Q. How will I know if I need to take the training?

A. Aside from receiving several notifications from the association:

If your license expires in 2028, you will need to complete these courses before the end of 2027.
If your license was renewed in 2024, 2025 or 2026 the DRE Continuing Education required Ethics to renew your license fulfills the requirement for the NAR Code of Ethics cycle and Fair Housing

Q. I have been licensed for over 50 years and exempt from continuing education requirements, does this still apply to me?
A. Yes. This requirement has nothing to do with DRE licensing, it is a N.A.R. mandate that all REALTORS® must complete these trainings every 3 year cycle. The current cycle is 2025-2027.

Q. What happens if I don’t take the training?
A. The Association is required by N.A.R. to report completed classes and must suspend a member if the required class is not completed by the end of each three-year cycle. Suspension of membership will remain in force until the member completes the required course.

Q. Do I have to come into the office to take the training?

A. No, you don't. The classes are offered online for free (linked above), though the association does offer both of these trainings periodically throughout the year in-person.