Core Standards for State and Local Associations

The Core Standards are intended to raise the bar for REALTOR® associations and ensure high-quality service for members. The standards, which became effective upon approval by the NAR Board of Directors in May 2014, ensure strategic alignment with all entities of the REALTOR® association.  All REALTOR® associations, as a condition of membership, are required to annually comply with a set of standards that are specific to local and state associations and commercial overlay boards.

1. Code of Ethics
2. Advocacy
3. Consumer Outreach
4. Governance, Operations and Training
5. Financial Solvency

The annual compliance cycle runs from January 1 to December 31, by which time all local associations and commercial overlay boards are required to submit their certification forms to their respective state associations. If a local or commercial association is not in compliance with the standards, state associations must notify NAR by January 30. Core Standards enforcement is the joint responsibility of the state and national associations. If a state association confirms that a local or commercial association is not in compliance with the Core Standards, that association’s charter may be revoked. However, all associations will first have the opportunity to appeal this determination and appear before a hearing panel of the NAR Association Executives Committee to show cause why the association’s charter should not be revoked.

Local and commercial overlay boards should consult with their state associations if they have questions about compliance.  For other questions pertaining to the Core Standards, please refer to the Core Standards Resources.