The Maryland Code of Ethics is updated every

A. The licensee shall remain informed of matters affecting real estate in the community, the State, and the nation.

B. The licensee shall be informed on current market conditions in order to be in a position to advise clients as to the fair market price.

C. The licensee shall protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, or unethical practices in the real estate field. The licensee shall endeavor to eliminate in the community any practices which could be damaging to the public or to the dignity and integrity of the real estate profession. The licensee shall assist the commission charged with regulating the practices of brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons in this State.

D. The licensee shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain all material facts concerning every property for which the licensee accepts the agency, in order to fulfill the obligation to avoid error, exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts.

E. The licensee, acting as agent, may not discriminate in the sale, rental, leasing, trading, or transferring of property to any person or group of persons in violation of State Government Article, § 20-402, Annotated Code of Maryland.

F. The licensee may not be a party to the naming of a false consideration in any document.

G. Advertisement.

(1) For the purposes of this regulation, "advertisement" means any representation, promotion, or solicitation directed to consumers, by any means of communication, for any purpose concerning the provision of real estate brokerage services.

(2) The licensee in advertising shall be especially careful to present a true picture. A broker may not advertise without disclosing the broker's name or the company name as it appears on the license. A broker may not permit associate brokers or salespersons to use individual names unless the connection with the broker is obvious in the advertisement.

(3) Effective October 1, 2004, an associate broker or salesperson may not use an individual telephone number or email address in an advertisement unless the identified telephone number of the broker or branch office manager also appears in the advertisement.

(4) Any electronic media advertisement shall contain the applicable disclosures set forth in §G(2) and (3) of this regulation either:

(a) On the first 25 percent of the main page of the electronic media advertisement; or

(b) If the electronic media under §G(4)(a) of this regulation has a limitation of 280 characters or fewer, on the first 25 percent of a page that is accessible after a single click on a hyperlink on the main page of the electronic media advertisement.

(5) Interpretation of "Directly Connected" Under Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 17-547(c), Annotated Code of Maryland. The Commission considers a team name to be "directly connected" to a brokerage name under Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 17-547(c), Annotated Code of Maryland, if:

(a) The word "of", "from", "with", or "at" is the only word between the team name and the brokerage name; and

(b) No other word, symbol, or image is between the team name and the brokerage name.

H. For the protection of all parties with whom the licensee deals, the licensee shall see to it that financial obligations and commitments regarding real estate transactions are in writing, expressing the exact agreement of the parties, and that copies of these agreements are placed in the hands of all parties involved within a reasonable time after the agreements are executed.

I. All real estate documents shall be signed by a licensee in the licensee's own name, and may not be signed in the name of a group or team.

NAR's Board of Directors approved a change to the Code of Ethics training requirement, extending it from every two years to every three years. This extends the current cycle deadline from March 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2024.

REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. 

Training may be completed through NAR’s online courses or through another method, such as online or classroom courses via local/state associations. Read the consequences for failing to complete Code of Ethics training.

NAR's Code of Ethics, adopted in 1913, was one of the first codifications of ethical duties adopted by any business group. The Code ensures that consumers are served by requiring REALTORS® to cooperate with each other in furthering clients' best interests.

View the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of REALTORS® Effective January 1, 2022.

Note: On November 13, 2020, NAR's Board of Directors added Standard of Practice 10-5 to the Code of Ethics, and amended Professional Standard #29, both of which are effective immediately. For details on all the changes adopted, visit Code of Ethics & Professional Standards Policies.

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REALTOR® is a trademark; a brand name that separates licensed agents from those who are bound to adhere to a higher standard.  Only members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) may conduct business under the REALTOR® brand. A great advantage of working with a REALTOR® is that ALL REALTORS® are bound by the NAR Code of Ethics and must complete training every two years.  The code establishes rules, procedures and best practices designed to ensure the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism.  

The code often establishes rules that exceed the requirements of law.  It is frequently adjusted to adapt to the challenges of the ever-changing market, but always adheres to an ethical core that makes working with a REALTOR® a significant advantage.  Click here to see the most recent NAR Code of Ethics and Standard Practices.     

While the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association establishes objective, enforceable ethical standards governing the professional conduct of REALTORS®, it does not address issues of courtesy or etiquette.  Based on input from many sources, the Professional Conduct Working Group of the Professional Standards Committee developed the following list of professional courtesies for use by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis. This list is not all-inclusive, and may be supplemented by local custom and practice. [read more below]

The Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS® is responsible for enforcing the REALTORS® Code of Ethics.  If you feel a REALTOR® has not abided by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, you may wish to file a complaint.  The following information is beneficial: Before You File an Ethics Complaint, and the Ethics Complaint Form.

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