CHICAGO (February 20, 2025) – The National Association of REALTORS® today announced it reached a resolution with Phoenix REALTORS® that brings the local association back into compliance with NAR's Constitution and Bylaws and therefore allows the local association to retain its charter.

Phoenix REALTORS® eliminated its "MLS Choice" membership option but will continue to offer non-REALTORS® access to ARMLS as it has done since 1996. In addition, Phoenix REALTORS® will provide certain products and services to non-REALTOR® licensees who purchase non-member MLS Access. Phoenix REALTORS® emphasizes that non-member MLS Access is not a membership of any kind and licensees who purchase non-member MLS Access are not REALTORS®, may not use the REALTOR® mark, and would not belong to local, state or national REALTOR® associations or have access to the many benefits of REALTOR® membership. 

This matter was never about MLS access, and NAR policy on this has not changed. Phoenix REALTORS® ARMLS is and has long been open to non-REALTORS®. MLSs have local discretion to determine individual participation requirements based on their market and applicable law.

We are pleased to have reached this resolution, which protects the rigorous standards of the REALTOR® brand. We look forward to continuing to work with Phoenix REALTORS® in service of REALTORS® and our shared mission. 

Phoenix REALTORS® additionally issued the following statement:

After working together productively, Phoenix REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) have reached a mutually beneficial agreement that ensures Phoenix REALTORS®' non-member offering complies with NAR's constitution, bylaws and the three-way agreement.

Following NAR's December 2024 cease-and-desist letter to Phoenix REALTORS® about MLS Choice, NAR initiated its charter revocation process, citing concerns that the offering conferred local association membership, caused confusion for consumers and weakened the REALTOR® brand. To address these concerns, Phoenix REALTORS® and NAR worked together to clarify the marketing around MLS Choice and introduce an updated offering. The updated offering is known as "non-member MLS access," which will eliminate any further confusion and make clear what the subscription option entails.

Through this revised offering, Phoenix REALTORS® will continue to provide non-REALTORS® access to ARMLS – as it has done since 1996 consistent with longstanding NAR policy – and will offer certain MLS-related products and services to non-REALTOR® licensees who subscribe to ARMLS.

The non-member MLS access option is not REALTOR® membership – it is a subscription for professionals desiring a different level of support. Licensees who purchase this subscription option are not REALTORS®, cannot use the REALTOR® mark, and do not belong to local, state or national REALTOR® associations or have access to the many benefits of REALTOR® membership.

Phoenix REALTORS® remains committed to the REALTOR® brand, the three-way agreement, and the benefits made possible by the relationship between the Phoenix association, Arizona Association of REALTORS® and NAR. This outcome supports both Phoenix REALTORS®' and NAR's ultimate goal of helping REALTOR® members succeed and the real estate industry at large thrive.

To learn more about the value of REALTOR® membership, including educational tools, marketing resources, advocacy at the local, state and national levels, and more, please visit: https://www.nar.realtor/membership and https://www.phoenixrealtors.com/main/member-benefits/.

About the National Association of REALTORS®

As America's largest trade association, the National Association of REALTORS® is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.

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