ECAR Membership

Holding a real estate license does not make someone a REALTOR®. The main distinction of a REALTOR® from someone who is merely licensed by the state to sell real estate is the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. Becoming an ECAR REALTOR® means you are committed to continuing education, professionalism and integrity.

With your REALTOR® membership, you are privileged to all the rights and benefits of all three levels of the organization:

1. National

2. State

3. Local

Helping You Find Success With Personalized Coaching

Join the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors

The Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS® (ECAR) is part of a three-pronged system. There are three distinct types of membership as a REALTOR®, and they all work together. In order to call yourself a REALTOR®, you must belong to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In order to belong to NAR, you must belong to the state association (Florida REALTORS®) and the local association. Because of a rule called “Board of Choice,” a REALTOR® can belong to any local association. ECAR is the local association to join in Northwest Florida – no other association compares.

You are joining with more than 5,000 REALTORS® locally and over 1.2 million across the nation. These REALTORS® are dedicated to serving America’s property owners at the local, state and national levels. Your success is imperative to us. The leadership and staff of ECAR are part of a powerful team working with you to excel in the real estate industry.

Join ECAR

What happens after you join?



Orientation

Orientation is required for all applicants (unless you are a reinstating, secondary or transferring member – see requirements here). Orientation is held once per month (other than December). You will have three months to complete the Orientation. If you do not complete the Orientation within the three-month time period, then your application for membership will be cancelled and you forfeit the Application fee. Once forfeited, you must repay the application fee to reinstate your application. You must complete Orientation before you can become a REALTOR® member of ECAR.



How to Register for Orientation

Once you submit your application for membership and your MLS User ID and password have been emailed to you, you will need to go to NAR’s website and create your account. Once your account is created, you will need to log in and complete the New Member Code of Ethics training. When completed, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and will need to email this to Pearlie(pearlieb@ecaor.com) in order to be registered for the next available Orientation.

Types of Memberships

Primary Membership

An individual is a primary member of ECAR if they pay local, state and national dues through ECAR. New member dues apply. Orientation is required.

Secondary Membership

An individual is a secondary member if they pay current state or national dues through another association/board.

A Letter of Good Standing is required from your primary association/board.
The New Member Orientation class will be waived provided you have completed the New Member Orientation class with your current association/board in the state of Florida (this must be stated in the Letter of Good Standing).

Transferring Membership

An individual is a transferring member if they have paid their current state or national dues through another association/board for the current year and are transferring their primary membership to ECAR.

A Letter of Good Standing is required from your primary association/board.
The New Member Orientation class will be waived provided you have completed the New Member Orientation class with your current association/board in the state of Florida (this must be stated in the Letter of Good Standing).

Reinstating Membership

An individual is a reinstating member if they were a prior member of ECAR and have not been inactive with the association for more than 18 months. Orientation is not required.

Appraiser

An individual who is a Certified General or Certified Residential Appraiser. If an appraiser also has a current/active real estate license, then the real estate license takes precedence over the appraiser license for ECAR. Membership would be the same as above, whichever applies.

Affiliate

These members play a vital role in the support of the REALTOR® community through educational events, informative forums, charitable activities and contributions that promote and enhance the Emerald Coast community.