ECAR Membership

REALTOR® membership includes benefits and privileges with:

Welcome to the Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS® (ECAR)

As a new member, you are now part of the REALTOR® family through the Three-Way Agreement. This structure ensures that every REALTOR® belongs to three associations working together:

Local – ECAR is your professional home here in Northwest Florida. We provide education, networking, and personalized support to help you succeed in your business.
State – Florida REALTORS® gives you access to statewide resources, market insights, legal guidance, and advocacy that protect your interests across Florida.
National – The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) unites more than 1.2 million REALTORS® nationwide, advancing policies that protect property rights and elevate our profession.

This partnership means you are backed by resources, advocacy, and a community of more than 5,000 local colleagues and a nationwide network of professionals committed to excellence.

At ECAR, our leadership and staff are here to guide you, connect you, and support your growth. Your success matters to us, and Orientation is the first step in making the most of your membership. We’re proud to welcome you to ECAR and look forward to serving alongside you.

What happens after you join?

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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.

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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.

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.