In this section, you'll find helpful links to the National Association of REALTOR'S® (NAR) Code of Ethics and other important NAR documents, model forms for mediation and arbitration hearings as well as rules and procedures developed by C.A.R. for use by local associations when processing and conducting professional standards hearings as well as instructions and information for filing an Interboard Arbitration.

Ethics complaints or other complaints alleging membership duty violations may be filed against REALTORS® at any association where the REALTOR® holds membership.

Arbitration complaints (i.e., complaints requesting money) which involve REALTORS® who belong to the same association are typically filed at the local association where they share common membership.

However, arbitration complaints involving REALTORS® who belong to different associations are usually filed through C.A.R. Interboard Arbitration. Members can download and print these materials here or order a new Professional Standards Reference Manual through the C.A.R. Customer Service Order Desk, (213) 739-8200.

 C.A.R. Interboard Arbitration

California Interboard Arbitration Rules (revised 7/19/05)
C.A.R. Interboard Arbitration  (Summary - Legal Q&A revised 3/21/07)
CCP Title 9 - California Arbitration Statutes
Filing Instructions and Information Packet
Form IBA-1  (Complaint)  (PDF of IBA-1 )
Form IBA-22  (Waiver Agreement) (PDF of IBA-22 )
Guidelines for Mediators
Mediation Conference Agreement
Mediation Guidelines and Procedures

 C.A.R. Professional Standards Materials 

Local Association Forms

Arbitration and Mediation Forms  
Disciplinary and Grievance Forms  

Manuals and Guidelines

California Mediation Manual for Local Associations of REALTORS®
California Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual (eff. 1/1/08 - PDF  - revisions in red)
Arbitration Implementation Guidelines (rev. 2007)
Disciplinary Action Implementation Guidelines (rev. 2007 - PDF  - revisions in red)
Procuring Cause Guidelines (Legal Q&A rev. 1/30/06)
Appendices (Disciplinary Actions, Arbitration, Form Letters)  

 Model Bylaws 

California Model Bylaws (rev. 6/1/07 )
Local member associations with all-REALTOR® membership
Suggested bylaws used by most local board/associations.

LFRO (Limited Function Referral Office) Certification Form (rev. 8/19/08 )
Local member associations with all-REALTOR® membership

 NAR Code of Ethics and Guidelines 

NAR Code of Ethics*
NAR Arbitration Guidelines (Procuring Cause)
NAR Procuring Cause Guidelines*
NAR Article: Real Estate on the Internet*
Use of the REALTOR® Logos in Advertising*
Use of the REALTOR® Marks on the Internet*

NAR Code of Ethics Reprints

Leadership Team Report on Code of Ethics Enforcement*
NAR Approves Publishing Names of Code of Ethics Violators*

Case Interpretations

Internet Advertising (NAR Code of Ethics - Case Examples)

Ethics in Practice

Chart of ethics articles summarizing and explaining various ethics rules