The importance of ethics in business makes headlines every day and has never been more top of mind with consumers than it is right now. It is no longer enough for a company to produce a quality product or service; consumers want to know they can trust the individuals with whom they do business – especially when it involves a real estate transaction.

The sale or purchase of a home is arguably the single largest transaction of a person's life. Whether consumers are shopping for a new home or looking to sell their property, hiring a trustworthy real estate professional is critical. But how do they know whom to trust?

Since 1913, members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) have pledged to adhere to an industry-unique Code of Ethics. According to the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS®, NAR was one of the first business groups to adopt standards for the professional conduct of its members. The Realtor® Code of Ethics is based on the concept of "let the public be served"　and was built upon the Golden Rule:  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

The NAR Code of Ethics is the public's assurance that they are dealing with a professional who has their best interests in mind. Realtors® are subject to disciplinary action and sanctions if they violate the duties imposed by the NAR Code of Ethics.

But the one-million-member organization decided to expand its commitment to ethics even further with the development of a comprehensive quadrennial training and testing program that assures consumers that Realtors®

are worthy of their trust.

NAR is arguably the only professional association in the country that requires its members to complete an ethics training program to maintain membership benefits, including the ability to use a professional designation (in this case, the designation of "Realtor®").   This one-of-a-kind training program was established by NAR's Board of Directors at the association's 1999 annual convention.

NAR established the training program to:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Heighten member awareness of the key tenets of the Code of Ethics[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Create an awareness of and appreciation for the role the Code can and should play in members' professional lives[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Enhance professionalism and competency[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Encourage Realtors® to view their Code of Ethics as a living, viable guide in their daily dealings with clients, customers and the public[/naviga:li]

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The training requires members to take a refresher course and pass a test once every four years. The program consists of a two-and-a-half-hour orientation course to learn the Code of Ethics, which is updated annually.

We encourage consumers to ask whether their agent is a Realtor®. The quadrennial testing requirement assures they know what it means and how it benefits them when the answer is "Yes."

Visit our web site at easternctrealtors.com and our blog at ECARVoice.com.

Merry Cassabria is president and state director of the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS®