REALTOR® FAQ

Congratulations! We are excited to see what you will accomplish with your new career! Once your broker submits your new member application, we will enter you into the NRDS system, assign you a NRDS number (which is an identification number that you will use in several different places), and send you an initial invoice. Being part of a local board of REALTORS® is a requirement to be classified as a REALTOR®, and you will not legally be allowed to identify yourself as a REALTOR® member until your initial invoice is paid in full. After the initial invoice is paid, you will be able to request access to the MLS.

Additional Next Steps:

• New Member Orientation is held quarterly, and is a requirement for newly licensed and\or new members of the Association. You may view additional information regarding our New Member Orientation at www.soarealtors.com/new-member-orientation
• Review the Code of Ethics and take the NAR “New Member Ethics Orientation” course online
• Discuss onboarding procedures with your Broker
• Complete post-licensing courses within the first year after receiving your license

The initial invoice will cover your State, National, and Local Dues for the rest of the year. It also includes a one-time new member fee for State and Local membership. The prorated fees take effect the day you receive your license, so even if you pay the next month, the proration will stay the same.

Dues are non-refundable, per our Policies and Bylaws, which you can access here.

You have one month to pay dues in full, and after 1 month, if other arrangements haven’t been made, you will be made inactive in the NRDS system (National REALTOR® Database System). You will be unable to legally work a real estate transaction, and MLS access will be denied or suspended.

We need to be updated if:

• You move or your address changes
• Your phone number changes
• You change offices
• Your e-mail address changes
• Your license status changes for any reason (put in escrow, obtain Broker’s license, retire, etc.)
• You complete an Ethics course
  • Please send a copy of your completion certificate to our office via e-mail at soar@fuse.net

You can fill out an “update information” form on the website, or request for your broker/manager fax the information on company letterhead to: 513-528-2658

You will need to submit a renewal fee, copies of your completed 30 hours of CE, and a renewal application to the Department of Commerce, Real Estate Division. All paperwork must be submitted or postmarked on/before your CE due date.

You may find more information at https://www.com.ohio.gov/real/default.aspx

Yes. The agent would need to disclose that information in any advertisement.

Yes, pursuant to ORC 4735.57 you must do so if you are acting as a dual agent.

Licensees must be licensed in their legal name and advertise using the name on the license. However, for advertising purposes, licensees may advertise their name or nickname in several different ways:

1. A commonly accepted derivative of the licensee’s first name” Christopher/Chris, Suzanne/Susie
2. A licensee’s first name abbreviated as an initial with the licensee’s full middle name as it appears on the license: Name on license: Christopher James Smith/Acceptable advertisement: C. James Smith
3. A licensee’s first and middle name as it appears on the license as an initial: Name on license: Christopher James Smith/Acceptable advertisement: CJ Smith
4. A nickname that is not a commonly accepted derivative may be displayed in parenthesis or quotation marks with the full licensed name: Name on license: Cynthia Jones/Acceptable advertisement: Cynthia “CeeCee” Jones

No. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4735.20 and (ORC) 4735.21 implicitly provide that commissions shall only be paid in the name of the brokers to the broker’s salesperson.

If your personal assistant is unlicensed, that individual may provide only clerical support services. They may file, take messages, and schedule appointments. An unlicensed personal assistant may not provide property-related information or services.

No, there is no specific requirement that this must appear in the broker’s printed advertising.

No. A real estate company is required to maintain a definite place of business in Ohio.