Close-up of REALTOR® Code of Ethics Title & Preamble

NAR's Code of Ethics, adopted in 1913, ensures that consumers are served by requiring REALTORS® to cooperate with each other in furthering clients' best interests. All REALTOR® members are required to complete 2.5 hours of Code of Ethics training per three-year cycle.

Failure to comply with this required ethics training is a violation of a membership duty. With the exception of REALTOR® Emeriti, all REALTORS® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® regardless of area of specialty—residential, commercial, appraisal, etc.—must satisfy the triennial ethics requirement.

Please note that the triennial Code of Ethics is a National Association of REALTORS® mandate. It is not a requirement of the Tennessee Real Estate Commission or its continuing education requirements for licensees. However, if you take an Ethics CE course you will meet part of your CE requirement as well as the NAR membership mandate.

Current Training Cycle

Originally, the training was required every four years, but in 2017, NAR changed the requirement to every two years. In 2019, NAR's Board of Directors approved a change to the Code of Ethics training requirement, extending the cycle from every two (2) years to every three (3) years.

The current cycle runs from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024. The next cycle (Cycle 8) will begin on January 1, 2025, and end on December 31, 2027.

The requirement for Cycle 7 must be met on or before December 31, 2024. Failure to complete Code of Ethics training by the end of the cycle is a violation of membership duties and may result in suspension or termination of membership.

Options for Fulfilling Required Ethics Training

There are multiple ways to fulfill the triennial Code of Ethics requirement. The following options are all acceptable and members may choose per their needs and convenience. Be advised, MAAR only accepts Code of Ethics training from the approved sources detailed below.

Classroom Course

MAAR offers several sessions throughout the year that will fulfill your ethics requirement. Review the course calendar for upcoming options.

NAR Online Ethics Course

NAR offers an online ethics course that can be completed in one session (approximately 2.5 hours) or completed in parts within 30 days from the start. You will need your NRDS number in order to access the online course. If you do not have your NRDS number, contact Member Services.

Be advised, while this course satisfies the triennial ethics requirement, TREC does not give CE credit for this version of the Code of Ethics.

C2EX Endorsement

NAR's Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) empowers REALTORS® to evaluate, enhance and showcase their highest levels of professionalism. It's not a course, class or designation; it's an Endorsement that REALTORS® can promote when serving clients and other REALTORS®.

In addition to being an innovative engagement tool, C2EX is also a Code of Ethics training equivalency—and it comes at no additional cost. Members who earn the C2EX Endorsement will satisfy the Code of Ethics training requirement for Cycle 7.

To get started, log in to C2EX.realtor and take the self-assessment. Based on your results, the platform will generate customized learning paths, recommend experiences and provide tools and resources to increase your knowledge and enhance your skillsets. Be advised, this endorsement is not eligible for CE credit.

Partner Organizations

Here at MAAR, we understand that REALTORS® lead busy lives and are always on the go. The Association has partnered with Lancaster Institute and The CE Shop to provide members the flexibility of online education. Both Lancaster Institute and The CE Shop offer virtual Code of Ethics courses, which have been approved by TREC for CE credit and satisfy Ethics requirements.

If you have taken a qualifying ethics course via Lancaster Institute or The CE Shop, please fax your course completion certificate to O'Hara Keszler, 901.761.4003, so your compliance can be reported to NAR.


For questions about the Code of Ethics training requirement and/or fulfillment, contact O'Hara Keszler.

Code of Ethics