A real estate license lets you work, but being a REALTOR® gives you the tools, protection, credibility, and influence to succeed long-term.

As dues billing progresses, the Arizona REALTORS® has received a handful of calls from individuals with questions about Non-member MLS Access. Many of these callers express confusion and uncertainty as to whether they remain REALTORS® if they choose to participate in Non-member MLS Access and whether they will receive REALTOR® benefits and services. The answer to these questions is “no.”

Non-member MLS Access is not REALTOR® membership, which means:

• You are not a REALTOR® and cannot identify yourself as a REALTOR®
  – You will therefore need to revise your website, social media, and all marketing materials that may currently identify you as a REALTOR®.

• You cannot use the REALTOR® mark or any REALTOR® educational designations
  – You will therefore need to order new business cards, signage, marketing materials, etc. without the REALTOR® mark and educational designations featured, at a cost that will likely exceed any potential savings you may obtain by foregoing your REALTOR® membership.

• You do not belong to a local, state, or national REALTOR® association
  – You will therefore be ineligible to serve on a REALTOR® board or committee, unable to vote on REALTOR® matters, unable to help shape the REALTORS® legislative agenda, unable to attend REALTOR® industry events, and unable to say that you subscribe to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

• You do not get the benefits and services offered to members from each level of the REALTOR® organization
  – You will therefore no longer have the right to use Arizona REALTORS® 80+ forms, contracts and advisories.
  – You will lose all member benefits including, but not limited to, Transaction Desk, Authentisign, Breeze, RPR, Arizona Housing Reports, the Legal Hotline, and the Tech Helpline. Similarly, you will lose access to the Arizona REALTORS® Legal Assistance Fund and will no longer receive Arizona REALTORS® publications such as the Voice or have access to the Arizona REALTORS® library of legal resources and published legal hotline Q&As.

Thank you for choosing to be a REALTOR®! Your commitment strengthens our profession, protects our industry, and helps ensure a thriving future for Arizona real estate.

Should you have any questions about REALTOR® membership, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at editor@aaronline.com.