Code of Ethics

General Information

Approved Credit Hours: 3 hours

State: New York

Course Availability: 365 days from enrollment

Course Description

Professional conduct is the foundation of public trust in real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics establishes the standards of practice that distinguish REALTORS® from other real estate licensees and define the profession’s commitment to integrity, fairness, and consumer protection.

First adopted in 1913, the Code of Ethics was created to elevate professional standards and protect the public from unethical practices. Over time, it has evolved to reflect changes in the marketplace while maintaining its core purpose: ensuring that buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and the public receive honest and competent representation. The Code extends beyond minimum legal requirements and sets measurable expectations for professional conduct.

This 3-hour continuing education course provides a comprehensive review of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, including its historical development, structure, and practical application. The course reproduces the Code as adopted by the National Association of REALTORS® and examines key Articles through discussion and case study analysis.

In addition to reviewing duties owed to clients, customers, the public, and other REALTORS®, this course explains the ethics complaint process, possible disciplinary actions, and the role of mediation and arbitration. The course concludes with an overview of the Pathways to Professionalism tool, which provides guidance for maintaining respectful and professional conduct in all business interactions.

Course Topics

This course covers the following topics:

• Unit 1: History of the Code of Ethics
  • Development of the Code and the foundational principles reflected in the Preamble.
• Unit 2: Duties to Clients and Customers
  • Obligations related to loyalty, disclosure, cooperation, and client representation.
• Unit 3: Duties to the Public
  • Standards addressing discrimination, truthful communication, and responsible marketing.
• Unit 4: Duties to REALTORS®
  • Professional conduct expectations in broker relationships, dispute resolution, and arbitration.
• Unit 5: The Ethics Complaint Process
  • Overview of complaint procedures, common violations, and potential disciplinary outcomes.
• Unit 6: Pathways to Professionalism
  • Practical guidance for maintaining respect for clients, colleagues, and the public.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Explain why the National Association of REALTORS® created the Code of Ethics in response to early real estate practices.

• Describe how the Code has changed over time and identify the purpose of the Preamble.

• Recognize how the Code is organized into 17 Articles and the three main duty categories.

• Summarize the main focus of each Article, including key themes like honesty, disclosure, and professional standards.

• Distinguish between a client, customer, and prospect under the Code of Ethics.

• Apply Article 1 expectations for loyalty and honesty, including offer presentation and dual agency consent.

• Explain Article 2 and Article 3 requirements related to truthful information and cooperation with other brokers, including post-settlement compensation changes.

• Identify the disclosure and documentation duties in Articles 4-9, including compensation, conflicts of interest, and written agreements.

• Summarize how Articles 10-14 shape a Realtor’s duties to the public.

• Identify actions that violate Article 10, including discrimination in services, advertising, and employment practices.

• Explain Article 11 expectations for competence, including when disclosures are required for opinions of value or specialized services.

• Apply Article 12-14 standards for truthful communications, avoiding unauthorized practice of law, and cooperating with ethics investigations.

• Explain how Articles 15-17 define professional responsibilities to other Realtors®.

• Identify conduct that violates Article 15, including making or repeating false or misleading statements about another broker.

• Apply Article 16 rules to avoid interfering with exclusive representation agreements, including proper communication and solicitation limits.

• Describe when Realtors® must participate in mediation and arbitration under Article 17, including commission and procuring cause disputes.

• Recognize common causes of ethics complaints and apply practical steps to reduce misunderstandings and disputes.

• Explain when and how to file a complaint, including the 180-day deadline and the requirement to cite a specific Article of the Code.

• Describe the role of the Grievance Committee and hearing panel in reviewing, forwarding, or dismissing complaints.

• Outline the possible outcomes of an ethics hearing, including discipline, appeals, and the standards of proof and due process.

• Explain how the Pathways to Professionalism tool supports the Code of Ethics by promoting respectful conduct.

• Apply best practices for showing and accessing property to demonstrate respect for property.

• Identify professional behaviors that reflect respect for the public, including timely communication and appropriate conduct during showings.

• Demonstrate standards that promote respect for peers, including proper communication, cooperation, and courtesy with other Realtors®.

Instructor & Customer Support

For questions about the course content, please contact the Instructor.

Course Instructor: Elizabeth Tigner
Contact Information: instructor.etigner@onlineed.com
Instructor Availability: Monday-Friday, business hours, excluding holidays
Instructor Policy Response Time: within 1 business day
 
If you have questions about your account or course navigation, please contact the course provider:

OnlineEd
Phone: 1-(503)-670-9278
Email: mail@onlineed.com
Chat and additional options: https://www.onlineed.com/system/pages/contact.php

Completion & Attendance Requirements

Completion Requirements. Continuing education credit is awarded upon successful completion of all required course components and satisfaction of regulatory active time requirements.

Stay Active in the Course. The course platform electronically monitors active participation. Time tracking will pause during periods of inactivity. You may exit and return to the course at any time. Your progress will be saved.

Active Time Requirements. Per New York regulations, CE courses require a minimum participation time for course completion. If you complete the instructional material early, you must remain actively logged in until the required time has elapsed before credit can be awarded.  The state regulator recognizes a 50-minute clock hour – accounting for 10 minutes of break time every hour.

Assessments

This course includes quizzes at the end of each unit which must be completed.

There is no final exam.

Course Completion Survey

Students are encouraged to submit a survey upon completion of the course. This short survey helps us improve the course material and student experience. It is required by most regulatory agencies. Your thoughtful feedback is appreciated.

Certificates & Credit Reporting

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, a certificate of completion will be issued.  You are responsible for maintaining a copy of your certificates of completion and renewing your license with the state regulator. 

Schools do not report course completions in New York. Make sure you keep your Certificates of Completion in your records per state regulations.

Technology Requirements

Courses may be accessed from a computer, tablet, or mobile device with a stable internet connection.  We recommend the most recent browser versions.  This includes all modern browsers and operating systems including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, iPhone / iOS, and Android-based mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets. The course is entirely web-based and does not require any software to be downloaded or installed.  For accurate time tracking and progress recording, access courses in one browser window at a time. 

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

All tuition and fees paid for the course are refundable when: (a) the course of instruction is discontinued by OnlineEd and such discontinuation has prevented a student from completing the course; or (b) the enrollment of the student was procured as a result of any misrepresentation in promotion materials of the school, or representation made by an owner or employee of the school. All refunds will be completed within 30 days after the effective date of enrollment termination. Refunds will not be given to any student after the student has successfully registered in a course or courses, as once registered, student has access to the registered courses. In hardship cases, OnlineEd may issue a refund at its sole discretion. OnlineEd does not issue retroactive partial refunds for courses that are subsequently discounted or put on sale after a student makes a purchase.

Academic Integrity and Identity Verification

Students must complete all coursework independently. OnlineEd prohibits misrepresentation of identity or allowing another individual to complete coursework on your behalf. Failure to comply with academic integrity policies may result in denial of credit.

Student Conduct Policy

Students are expected to show respect, courtesy, and consideration when interacting with school staff and students. Students are expected to conducting themselves in a professional, legal, and cooperative manner that is not disruptive, harassing, intimidating, or dangerous. Deviation from these standards may result in disciplinary action.

Non-Discrimination Policy

OnlineEd does not discriminate for admission on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age or disability. Any person who feels they have been unlawfully discriminated against may file a complaint with the School Director, either by email (schooldirector@onlineed.com) or by postal mail (ATTN: School Director, 14355 SW Allen Blvd. Suite 240, Portland, OR 97005). If OnlineEd determines that any employee of OnlineEd has engaged in discriminatory activity, such employee shall be disciplined.

Grievance Policy

If a student has a grievance against OnlineEd, its staff or students, the aggrieved student shall contact the School Director by email or mail, stating the nature of the grievance. The School Director shall evaluate the grievance and respond to the student based upon their findings.

Policies on Cheating and Misrepresentation

Cheating on courses that supply completion certificates, designations, or official credit is not tolerated. OnlineEd is not obligated to continue to furnish credit or continued support for students caught cheating on any part of the coursework or testing.
 
Misrepresentation of personal identity is strictly forbidden for all OnlineEd courses. Falsifying personal information, forgery, and misrepresentation may result in immediate suspension. Additional actions by state and federal agencies may include loss or suspension of a license, failure to grant a license, fees, or criminal prosecution.

Publisher

This course is developed and delivered by OnlineEd, LLC.

OnlineEd, LLC
14255 SW Allen Blvd., Suite 240
Portland, OR 97005
(503) 670-9278
https://www.OnlineEd.com/
mail@OnlineEd.com

Mission Statement

To provide superior distance education that exceeds industry standards and expectations in course content and delivery methods to those who seek to enter a new profession and those engaged in a profession.