2027 Leadership Academy Application & Instructions

The Leadership Academy program is designed to cultivate and empower future leaders in the real estate industry. Through a blend of in-person and virtual sessions, the Academy provides participants with essential skills, valuable networking opportunities, and comprehensive insights to help them excel in their professional roles.

Applications are Now Open for the 2027 Leadership Academy

We invite interested REALTORS® to explore the program details below and begin the application process. All application materials—including references—must be submitted by March 10, 2026.

Apply now

Attend the 2027 Leadership Academy Open House

Join the Chair and Vice Chair of the Leadership Academy Advisory Group for an interactive webinar where they’ll walk through program highlights, share insights on the Leadership Academy experience, and answer your questions about the application process. The Open House will take place on Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

Our Ideal Leadership Academy Candidate

National Association of REALTORS'® Leadership Academy (NARLA) participants are something special, and while each of our applicants are evaluated based on the selection criteria below, we are also looking for that indelible extra element that tells us that you connect with our mission.

The Ideal Candidate Is:

More than a volunteer... The ideal candidate has not just participated in volunteer activities, they have found a hands-on passion for giving back and creating change in a specific way. They have fed that passion regularly over time, resulting in a genuine journey of service both within or outside of the REALTOR® organization.

More than interested in leadership... The ideal candidate doesn’t just think they are interested in leadership – they have sought out experiences in a variety of leadership settings and developed a complex understanding of the real estate industry and its current challenges. Because of this, they have some insight into how they might want to fit into that system and what they want to contribute to the world of real estate.

More than good on paper... The ideal candidate is well-rounded and inclusive. They are able to work with diverse groups of people and excel at finding and building connections with others. They are an effective spoken and written communicator who celebrates the diversity in others.

Selection Criteria:

The following factors will be considered during the admission process:

Commitment to service
Licensed for 5+ years
Local and/or State Association experience
Must be a REALTOR® in good standing with no ethics violations
Life and work experiences
Niche market or unique business expertise
Communication skills
Service in your community
Examples of exemplary leadership decisions or scenarios that had positive outcomes or outcomes that allowed you to grow
Diversity and inclusion
Letters of recommendation

Are You Overqualified?

You are likely overqualified if you have served on one or more of these positions:

Chair on two or more NAR committees or forums
NAR Executive Committee member
State REALTOR® Association President
President of one of NAR’s Institutes, Societies, and Councils

You are overqualified if you have served as:

NAR Committee Liaison
NAR Regional Vice President (RVP)
NAR Leadership Team
NAR Finance Committee Member*

*Except if appointed by virtue of another position

Attendence Requirements

Attendance at all sessions is necessary to graduate. Please review the 2027 session dates (in-person and virtual sessions) before applying.

Participants who have an unexcused absence for more than a full day of one session will be dropped from the program and encouraged to reapply. Selection for subsequent year's program cannot be guaranteed.

Academy social events are for business networking, so please respect that invitations to Academy functions are intended for participants only, unless otherwise noted or approved.

How to Complete the Application

Begin application

If you have any questions about the application process, please email narla@nar.realtor.

1. Please answer all the questions on the application.

2. Your application must be submitted through the Reviewr portal. Your application is saved as you move through the form. You can save your application and return to further edit it using your email address and password you provided when you created an account.

3. Three (3) professional references are required with your application from the following categories:

a) Current or past local and/or state association executive
b) Current or past local and/or state REALTOR® officer
c) Current or past officers from NAR’s affiliates, societies, and councils
d) Current or past officers from community organizations
e) Current or past officers from real estate multicultural organizations

4. Your application will not be considered complete until all three references have been received. You will receive a confirmation email when your application and references are complete.

5. You can track the submission of your references within your application in Reviewr. You may also edit your application to remove and add a new reviewer, if necessary.

6. Proof of attendance at educational events or background information is not required BUT may be requested.

7. We reserve the right to audit any or all documentation.

Please note: For security and performance reasons, your session may time out if the page is left idle for too long. We recommend saving your work regularly to avoid losing any progress.