REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time within two-year cycles. For new members, Code of Ethics training must be completed in the first 6 months of membership. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®.
The Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual as amended by the NAR Board of Directors at the 2004 Midyear meeting, defines “suspension”, in relevant part, as suspension of all Board/Association-provided membership rights, privileges and services (including those provided by the State and National Association) not available to nonmembers for a period of not less than thirty (30) days and not longer than one year, on terms and conditions expressly stated for an established period of time, including use of the terms REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® with automatic reinstatement of all withdrawn membership rights, privileges and services at the end of the period of suspension. The thirty (30) day minimum and one year maximum do not apply where suspension is imposed for a remediable violation of a membership duty (e.g. failure to pay dues or failure to complete educational requirements).
The provisions go on to discuss the fact that membership – including the duties to abide by the Code of Ethics and to pay association dues – continues during the term of suspension.
What this means for a REALTOR® who is suspended for not meeting the REALTORS® Ethics Training Requirement is that all the rights, privileges and services she is entitled to receive because she is a REALTOR® are suspended until she satisfies the training requirement. If she meets the requirement the next day, then her rights, privileges and services are restored the next day. While suspended, though, her obligation to abide by the Code of Ethics continues, as does the obligation to pay dues.
For more information about the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards please visit: https://www.garealtor.com/law-ethics/code-of-ethics/
