Education Update
I’m Confused! Who Requires REALTORs® To Take A Code Of Ethics Course?
Both the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which provides you use of the term REALTOR®, and the New York Department of State (DOS), which oversees your license, require an ethics course be completed. NAR requires a code of ethics course to be taken and reported to them once every three years, Cycle 6 is ending December 31, 2021.
As of July 1, 2021, DOS will require all REALTORS® to complete a business code of ethics course prior to renewing their license. DOS will accept GCAR’s code of ethics courses as well as our online Partner, The CE Shop’s Ethics courses: The Code of Ethics in Action: Real-Life Applications and Ethical Excellence: Raising the Bar.
Am I Still Exempt From Education?
REALTOR® Broker members, previously exempted from taking education, will be required to take continuing education to renew their license effective on or after July 1, 2021. Attorneys admitted to the New York State bar remain exempted from the continuing education requirement.
Did I Complete My Nar Ethics Requirement?
Don’t forget, as a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, all REALTORS® are obligated to take an ethics course of 2.5 hours every three years. Cycle 6 is coming to an end soon (January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021). GCAR members must provide a copy of the ethics course completion certificate to GCAR so we may report members’ compliance to NAR as required.
Not sure if you’ve sent in your ethics certificate? Go to GCAR.com and click on the GCAR Login. Log in using your member ID and your password, try the word: ‘password’ and if that doesn’t work, call GCAR Membership Assistant, Michelle Misaki, at 518-464-0191 X 1004 for assistance.
Once logged in, go to the ‘Click here to’ section and choose ‘Your Education History’ from the drop-down menu
Then click on ‘Personal Education Tracking’- this is where all ethics-related information is tracked/stored.
A list of all the past NAR cycles shows up, scroll down to cycle 6 and if the ‘completed’ column has a date then GCAR has received your certificate and reported your compliance to NAR.
If you see the word ‘pending’ instead of a date, then you need to send a copy of your ethics completion certificate to disom@gcar.com
As a member benefit, GCAR offers Ethic zoom classes throughout the year as well as a large selection of courses with our online partner, The CE Shop, which offers multiple ethic course options.
NAR requires local REALTOR® associations to suspend members who have not submitted confirmation of ethics training within the prescribed time. GCAR members are reminded to submit ethics course certificates PRIOR TO December 31, 2021 to avoid the risk of suspension from association services. So sign up today for an ethics class with GCAR-it’s included in your GCAR dues payment!
