Professional Services

Professional Services strengthens and enhances the level of professionalism in our industry through education and a formalized complaint process.

Ethics Questions

Whenever possible we try to educate and advise REALTOR® members before a potential problem spins out of control. Staff is available to answer general real estate questions, advise on good business practices, or simply to lend another perspective to your situation. If a problem cannot be resolved informally, there is a complaint process for educating and disciplining members who are found in violation of rules. Have an ethics question? If you are an NVAR member, please submit your question through our Legal Hotline by clicking here.  Otherwise you can reach us at the information below

Complaint Process

The Grievance Committee handles the initial review of formal written complaints and determines if the rules apply. If the rules apply to the case, it is forwarded to the Professional Standards Committee for further consideration. The Professional Standards Committee provides the panels that hear evidence and issue decisions in each disciplinary complaint.

What is a REALTOR®?

The word REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies an individual as a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). When an individual member joins the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® (NVAR), he or she is agreeing as a condition of membership to follow the rules that govern members' professional conduct. These rules include, but are not limited to, the NAR Code of Ethics and Standards, the Regional Lockbox Rules and Regulations that govern the use of the lockbox system, and the NVAR Bylaws. As a voluntary trade association, NVAR develops and maintains rules that go beyond the minimum standards required by law. NVAR members are committed to working together to create a higher standard of integrity and service for the industry.