FAQ

Once you have passed your real estate exam and joined a brokerage, you have 15 days to join a local REALTOR® association. Your broker can help point you in the right direction!

The applicable dues/fees that are required for membership include:

• $250 application fee
• Pro-rated Association dues

Once you've completed your application and paid your dues, you have 60 days to complete the following:

• Attend New Member Orientation
• Complete the New Member NAR Code of Ethics Course Online

New Member Orientation classes are typically held once a month, via Zoom. You have 60 days to complete your orientation course. Please call our office at 301-797-4480 for the current orientation schedule. Please note that this class requires you have a stable internet connection with a working camera and mic. You are not permitted to drive while taking this online class. 

If a new applicant fails to complete new member orientation within the 60-day requirement, suspension and a reinstatement fee of $125 will be assessed for reactivation. 

A National REALTOR® Database System (NRDS) number will be issued upon fulfillment of all membership requirements.  A letter will be sent once application and dues are paid.

A certified appraiser would apply for Affiliate membership and follow all of the membership requirements.

In order for you to become a primary member of Pen-Mar, your Designated REALTOR® needs to be a primary or secondary member of our association too. A letter of good standing is also required from your current Association.

Additionally, you may also choose to become a "secondary" member of Pen-Mar. Secondary members enjoy the same perks of being a primary member but also maintain active memberships with other REALTOR® boards.

To become a secondary member of Pen-Mar you will need a letter of Good Standing from your current Primary board. In addition, you will need to pay the prorated dues and application fee to join our local association. 

All Pen-Mar secondary members enjoy the same perks and discounts as our primary members. As such, the cost to join is the same.

Please note that secondary members do not have to pay their state and national dues twice. Your primary board will collect those dues when you renew your annual membership.

First, you would need to check with your broker and/or office manager to see if your office/franchise policy requires it. Some offices and franchises require that licensees affiliated with them join as REALTOR® members. If you do not join as a REALTOR® member, you would be considered a non-member salesperson.

As a non-member salesperson, the Designated REALTOR® will be responsible for paying an assessment fee for the real estate licensee and appraisal certificate holder in the amount of Pen-Mar local dues, State Dues and NAR Dues (with the exception of the Consumer Advertising Campaign fee.)

The Broker or Designated REALTOR® is responsible to pay an assessment equal to dues. Non-members would not fill out a membership application nor attend the New Member Orientation course. They would not be allowed to use the term "REALTOR®" or use the "R" logo on any of their correspondence, signs, business cards, etc.

Membership dues are typically emailed to all members in September and are payable by the last day of December. We do not accept cash or check, so please be prepared to pay your dues in full with a credit or debit card.

All dues payments that arrive late, or are otherwise incomplete will result in a $100 late fee. If dues and the late fee are not paid by February 1st, your membership will be terminated. If terminated, the member automatically becomes a non-member salesperson as described in the section above.

Payment by the Designated REALTOR® for associated non-member salesperson is required and unappealable.

Please complete our Affiliate Application and contact our office for payment. We can be reached at (301)797-4480. 

Most members of Pen-Mar REALTORS® actively use Bright MLS. You can learn more at brightmls.com

Yes. Please contact Bright MLS for more information. https://brightmls.com/home

Remote Learning Policies & Guidelines

Please remember this is not a webinar, it is remote classroom learning for CE credit. If you wouldn’t do it in the physical classroom, it is not acceptable for a remote class either. We recommend you sign on at least 10 minutes before class and ensure you don’t have any technology issues. You are responsible for having proper equipment necessary for remote learning, including a working camera and microphone. YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO A VIRTUAL CLASS AFTER IT HAS BEGUN. Here are other guidelines that Pen-Mar REALTORS® requires:

If you need to cancel, you must do so at least 48 hours in advance. You will be charged a $25 no show fee if you don’t!

Must designate a distraction free area to attend the class. Needs to be free from background noise, other people, or other things that will distract the student’s attention from the class. NO VIRTUAL Backgrounds.

Must test equipment and technology prior to the class session. If you aren’t ready by the time class begins, you will be removed from the classroom and charged $25.

NO CELL PHONE use during class. Unless during a break in the class, use of cell phones is prohibited during the class.

Must attend 100% of the course. No arriving late or leaving early.

Must not be visibly engaged in any other activities including phone calls, texting, driving or work of any kind other than note taking or participating in the class.

Must keep microphone muted when not speaking unless responding to or asking a question.

Must only take breaks when scheduled by the instructor. May only turn off or pause video feed (or assign an avatar) during scheduled breaks.

Must follow along with the class outline and any other required materials during the classroom instruction.

Must respond to every engagement prompt during the class session. Just as in a physical classroom, the instructor may call on you for comment or put you into discussion groups.

Must have face in full, clear view of the camera at all times. Must keep a continuous video feed during all classroom instruction.

Must maintain a professional demeanor and only engage in professional behavior.

Must interact with other individuals in a way that promotes and enhances learning for all.

Violation of virtual classroom policies will result in being removed from class and charged a $25 fee. Only one warning will be issued during a class. Warnings will be sent through Zoom chat. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING CHAT MESSAGES. Anyone removed from a class for violation of policies shall not receive CE credit and will be charged a $25 fine.

*If you require special accommodations for remote learning classes, please notify us at least 72 hours prior to the class date. Your timely communication allows us to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to support your learning experience effectively. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

You may download a copy of the bylaws here.

You may download a copy of the plan here.

You may download a copy here.

OFFICE HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

The Association office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. The Association office is closed on the following holidays, or the date of their observance if they fall on a weekend:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Weather-related closures typically follow the Washington County School District's position. We strive to post updates on office closures and delays on our Facebook page, as well as emails to our membership.