Effective Jan 1, 2025. (1/1/2025 – 12/31/2027)

What's Changing:

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has implemented a new mandatory fair housing training requirement for all members to coincide with the code of ethics training requirement.  

The new requirement was approved by the association’s Board of Directors at its May 11 meeting.

The three-year cycle coincides with NAR’s existing Code of Ethics training requirement and begins Jan 1, 2025 and ends December 31, 2027.

• New Members: Must complete two hours of fair housing training as a condition of membership.
• Existing Members: Must complete two hours of fair housing training every three years, beginning in 2025. This coincides with the existing Code of Ethics training requirement.

Approved Training Options:

• At Home With Diversity: Focuses on working successfully in a diverse marketplace.
• Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing: Helps identify and interrupt stereotypical thinking to avoid fair housing pitfalls.
• Qualified Equivalent Courses: Offered by state and local associations, institutes, societies, and councils, and their partnered providers.
• State-Approved Courses: Fair housing courses approved by state licensing authorities for existing state fair housing requirements.
• Non-Residential Practitioner Course (to be created): Focused on bias and anti-discrimination training.
• Fairhaven (Updated): NAR's online fair housing simulation will be updated to meet the new requirements and serve as a no-cost option. Video

Why This Change?

This new requirement stems from NAR's Fair Housing Action Plan: ACT!, which emphasizes accountability, culture change, and training to ensure REALTORS® are actively protecting housing rights.

Key Takeaways for FCBR Members:

• Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with the specific training options available to you.
• Plan Ahead: Mark your calendar for the 2025 training deadline and ensure you complete the required hours.
• Embrace the Importance: Fair housing training is crucial for maintaining ethical and inclusive practices within the real estate industry.

FCBR Resources:

Ethics: check the FCBR Calendar for new ethics class schedule (starting in Spring 2025). FCBR members attend these classes for free. Non-Members can attend with a fee.

Fair Housing: We encourage all FCBR members to take advantage of the no-cost option provided by the updated Fairhaven simulation.

To learn more about this new requirement, please visit NAR’s resource page.