1. What are the REALTOR marks?
The REALTOR marks include the terms REALTOR, REALTORS, and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE, as well
as the REALTOR block “R” logo. These marks are all federally registered collective membership marks owned by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Collective membership marks are a type of trademark which, rather than indicating the source of a product or service, identify the user of the membership mark as a member of a particular group, in this case NAR. The REALTOR marks are also used to identify products and services for Members created by NAR and the Board.
2. I am a Member; don’t I pay to use the term REALTOR?
Members are authorized to use the REALTOR marks; however there are still certain limitations established by the Board of Directors to preserve the value and meaning of the REALTOR marks for all Members. Each member of the National Association of REALTOR agrees, as a part of their local Association’s Bylaws, to abide by the rules governing the use of the REALTOR marks. Only by knowing and abiding by the rules adopted by the Board of Directors can we be sure the Marks will retain their meaning and value for future generations of REALTORS.
3. Isn’t the definition of REALTOR® anyone who has a real estate license?
No. The definition of a REALTOR is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTOR and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. The marks should not be used inadvertently and improperly to denote a vocation or business. A good rule to follow is if the term “Member” cannot logically be substituted for the term REALTOR, then the term should not be used. Appropriate substitutions might include the phrases “real estate broker,” “real estate agent,” “real estate salesperson,” “property manager,” etc.
4. Can I use the REALTOR marks in the name of a firm?
No, the REALTOR marks cannot be included in the legal or dba name of any firm. Members are authorized to use the REALTOR marks in conjunction with the legal name of their real estate business (i.e., real estate brokerage) in advertising, signage, etc.
5. Can I use the term REALTOR in the name of a firm if I add punctuation so REALTOR is separated from the rest of the name by punctuation?
No, the rule based on Article V, Section 4 of NAR’s Bylaws requires both the REALTOR marks not be used as a part of a firm name AND that the marks be set off from the legal firm name by appropriate punctuation. Doing one or the other does not satisfy the requirements.
6. Can I use a geographic location with the REALTOR marks (e.g. Montana REALTORS, Boston’s Best REALTOR)?
Based on Article V, Section 7 of NAR’s Bylaws, descriptive words or phrases are never to be used with the REALTOR marks. This includes the use of the REALTOR marks in connection to geographically descriptive terms like the names of cities, states, and places.
7. Why are local and state associations allowed to use geographic locations with the REALTOR marks?
The Board of Directors has granted local and state associations the right to use geographic locations with the REALTOR marks in certain specified ways, for example in domain names or the name of official publication.
8. How can I tell buyers that my team members and I are REALTOR?
Each REALTOR is authorized to use the REALTOR marks with their name and Members may do so when identifying their relationship to a team. A Member may not use the REALTOR marks with the name of his or her team. Although the Bylaws allow REALTOR principals to use the REALTOR marks with the name of their business, this is limited to their real estate brokerage and would not apply to teams within a brokerage.