As of 2019, there are over 1.3 million dues-paying members of NAR. NAR coined the term “REALTOR®”, which is a registered trademark. You must be a member of NAR to call yourself a REALTOR®.

Do I have to be a member of NAR?

In the U.S., each state has its own requirements for becoming a licensed real estate agent. ... Only about half of all licensed real estate agents in the U.S. are Realtors or members of the NAR. To become a member of the NAR, you need to join your local real estate board or association.

Is MLS membership mandatory?

Currently, you must be a member of the MLS that your broker belongs to – any pay the required fees. In a ground-breaking decision by the NAR, agents may be able to subscribe to the multiple listing service they prefer to use… and opt-out of the ones they don't!