These days it’s common to hear people referring to real estate agents as REALTORS ®. While it is true that all REALTORS ® are real estate agents, not all real estate agents are REALTORS ®. The difference being is that a real estate agent becomes a Realtor ® when he or she becomes a member of the National Association of REALTORS ® and abides by their strict code of ethics.

In this article, you will learn about the top five things about the REALTOR ® trademark you need to know.

1. REALTORS ® are Members of NAR

Although often mixed up, it is inaccurate to call any real estate agent a REALTOR ®. The trademark REALTOR ® lets people know that a professional is more than just a real estate agent but also a NAR member strictly bound by a code of ethics designed to protect clients, the public, and other real estate agents.

The REALTOR ® trademarks include:

• REALTOR ®
• REALTORS ®
• REALTOR-ASSOCIATE ®
• The REALTOR ® block “R” logo

2. The REALTOR ® Trademark Can Be Used By Members, but with Limitations

Members are allowed to use the REALTOR ® marks only when needing to identify themselves as a member of the NAR. It is important for the value of the marks that they be only used as identifiers of NAR members by the public and never be used as a generic term to stand for a person’s line of work or business.

Licensed use of the marks is granted to members only to associate their real estate business and their place of business with their membership.

3. Only Members May Use REALTOR ® Marks

It is never allowed for a non-member to use the REALTOR ® trademarks when referencing or connecting it to their place of business or themselves.

There are very few instances in which a non-member may use the REALTOR ® trademarks. An example would be a media outlet using the marks to identify an individual as a member of the NAR or in reference to a member of the board.

4. Specifics of the Design Standards for REALTOR ® Marks Must Be Followed

Preferably, the term REALTOR ® must be presented in all caps and using the registered trademark symbol. If using the symbol isn’t possible, then the next best manner of using it is REALTOR in all caps.

To form the REALTOR ® block “R”, the logo must be presented as the letter R set in Futura Typeface on a sharply contrasting rectangular background with the term REALTOR ® centered underneath. The contrasting color of the rectangular block and the centered term underneath must be the same.

5. It is Permissible for the REALTOR ® Marks to be Used on the Internet and in Marketing

When used for usernames, it is permissible for members to include REALTOR ® marks only to indicate they are a member of the NAR by using them with a member’s name or with the legal name of the broker’s real estate business.

For usernames, email addresses, and domain names, there is no need to separate the REALTOR ® marks from a member’s name or real estate business with a punctuation.

It is allowed to use the marks on merchandise such as T-shirts and caps, as long as the item includes the member’s name or the name of his place of business. However, the use of the marks may not be used for any advertising or marketing by franchisors.