Question

Are licensees that hold a sales associates, broker associates or broker's license also considered a REALTOR?

A. Yes, it is part of the licensing process.
B. Only when they have completed their post-licensing education.
C. Only if approved by FREC.
D. Only if they are a member of a local association, which has membership in the National Association of REALTORS.

Answer 1

Holding a real estate broker or sales associate license does not automatically make one a REALTOR. The title of REALTOR is reserved for members of the National Association of REALTORS who are also members of a local affiliated real estate association and adhere to its code of ethics.

Step-by-step explanation:

D. Only if they are a member of a local association, which has membership in the National Association of REALTORS.

An occupational license is a form of regulation which signifies that an individual has met certain educational and testing criteria to be qualified in a specific profession. Real estate brokers and sales associates are among such regulated professions that typically require licensing by a state authority. Obtaining a real estate license signifies that the individual has completed the necessary education and passed relevant exams to assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties.

However, being a REALTOR is a trademarked term that refers specifically to a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), and it adheres to a strict code of ethics. Simply holding a real estate license does not automatically make one a REALTOR. To become a REALTOR, a licensee must join a local real estate association that is affiliated with the NAR, thereby pledging to abide by its code of ethics.