In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, REALTORS® continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate. They identify and take steps through the enforcement of this Code of Ethics and by assisting appropriate regulatory bodies, to eliminate practices which may damage the public or discredit the profession.

Mandatory ethics training requirements for new and continuing REALTOR® members was established by the National Association's Board of Directors at the 1999 Annual Convention and went into effect for all active REALTOR® members on January 1, 2001. In November of 2019 NAR's Board of Directors approved a change to the Code of Ethics training requirement, extending it from every two years, as previously prescribed, to every three years. This extends the current cycle deadline to December 31, 2027.