September is REALTOR® Safety Month, an important reminder that safety should always be a priority when conducting real estate business.

REALTORS® often meet new clients, work alone, travel to unfamiliar locations, host open houses, and communicate with prospective clients online. Taking a few extra precautions can help reduce risk and create safer habits throughout your career.

Make Safety Part of Your Business

REALTOR® Safety Month is a great opportunity to review your everyday practices and make sure safety remains top of mind. Remember to:

• Meet new clients in a safe location before showing properties whenever possible.
• Let someone know your schedule and where you will be throughout the day.
• Stay aware of your surroundings when arriving at and leaving properties.
• Use caution when sharing personal information online and on social media.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe, remove yourself from it.
• Have an emergency plan and know who to contact when you need assistance.

Take Advantage of Your NCJAR Member Benefit: FOREWARN®

NCJAR members also have access to FOREWARN® at no additional cost with membership. FOREWARN® is an identity verification and risk assessment tool designed to help real estate professionals gain additional information before meeting with prospective clients.

NCJAR is pleased to inform eligible members that applications are now open for REALTOR® Emeritus Status, an honorary status offered by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to recognize REALTORS® for their longstanding dedication and service to the association.

The application deadline is October 2, 2026. Applications received by the deadline will be considered for approval by the NAR Board of Directors at NAR NXT in New Orleans this November.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for REALTOR® Emeritus status, a member must meet both of the following requirements:

• Have 40 cumulative years of membership as a REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, or a combination of both.
• Have completed at least one year of service at the National Association level. Qualifying service may include serving as a committee member, officer or director, Federal Political Coordinator, Global Ambassador, or Global Coordinator to a country with an NAR bilateral partnership.

Benefits of REALTOR® Emeritus Status

Once an application is approved by the NAR Board of Directors, REALTOR® Emeritus members receive a permanent waiver of the NAR portion of their association dues beginning with the following dues year. They are also exempt from NAR's Code of Ethics and Fair Housing training requirements.

Please note that REALTOR® Emeritus status does not waive state real estate licensing education requirements.

How to Apply

Although members may review REALTOR® Emeritus information online, the official application must be submitted by the member's local association on behalf of the member requesting Emeritus status.

Documentation verifying the member's 40 years of membership and one year of qualifying NAR-level service must be included. NAR states that incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Deadline: October 2, 2026