Who Is a Member of the National Association of REALTORS®?
Membership in a local association of REALTORS® automatically extends your membership to the state association and national association. If you're not a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, but you'd like to become one, you must first join a local real estate association.
Members of NAR belong to one or more of some 1,400+ local associations (also called boards) and 54 state and territorial associations of REALTORS®.
Find and Join a Local REALTOR® Association
Find local associations of REALTORS® in your area by browsing NAR's list of local and state associations or by checking an online directory like Dex or YP.com. You can also send us an email with your name, address, company name, phone and/or fax numbers and we will respond with some local associations in your area. Then contact your local association of REALTORS® regarding membership.
As a member, you are the voice for NAR — it is your association and it exists to help you increase your business opportunities.
International REALTOR® Membership
Members of NAR cooperating associations throughout the world can join NAR and take advantage of the power of a million-plus member organization. In an industry where relationships are key to business success, this membership helps you stand out among other professionals.
Learn more about becoming an International REALTOR® Member.
Additional Membership Information
- The principals of a real estate firm must first join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal can join. Principals are defined as: sole proprietors; partners in a partnership; corporate officers or majority shareholders of a corporation; or branch office managers acting on behalf of the principal.
- Once the principal(s) decide to join the REALTOR® association, then all agents, brokers and appraisers that are licensed or affiliated with him or her have the option of also joining as members of the association.
- Each REALTOR® firm appoints one of its principals as a "designated REALTOR®" for the firm. If any agents, brokers, or appraisers affiliated with the firm choose not to be REALTORS®, then the "designated REALTOR®" would be assessed a non-member assessment by the association for each non-member.
- If any principal who otherwise qualifies for REALTOR® membership decides not to join the REALTOR® association, then none of the individuals affiliated with the firm can be REALTOR® members of the association.
- The principal(s) have what is called "board of choice," which means he or she can decide which REALTOR® association(s) in the state where the office is located (or contiguous to that state) to join. See a complete list of REALTOR® associations here.
- Licensees affiliated with a REALTOR® firm may choose as their primary association any association in the state (or a state contiguous to that state) where the firm maintains a "designated REALTOR®."
- If you are going to work for a REALTOR®, please do not hesitate to contact NAR for additional information. NAR can look up your broker's name and office and see if he or she is a member of the REALTOR® association. If your broker is a member, we can refer you to the local REALTOR® association he/she belongs to.