Eligibility information for both REALTOR® Association Membership and Requirements to join the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) are below.
The jurisdiction for the Coastal Mendocino Association of REALTORS® and the service area for the MLS are detailed on the home page. Applicants are strongly encouraged to verify that they are joining the correct Association and/or MLS prior to submitting an application. Dues and fees are nonrefundable.
REALTOR® Membership
Eligibility for REALTOR® membership requirements:
- Current, valid California real estate broker or salesperson license or California real estate appraisal certification or license.
- Remain actively engaged in the real estate profession.
- Maintain or be associated with a real estate office located within the state of California or a state contiguous thereto.
- Have no record of official sanctions rendered by the courts or other lawful authorities for 1) violations of civil rights laws or real estate license laws within the past three years or 2) criminal convictions within the past ten years where the crime was punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year under the law under which the applicant was convicted.
- Either act as sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer of a real estate firm or office manager of a real estate firm acting on behalf of the firms principal OR Remain employed by or affiliated as an independent contractor with a REALTOR® member who meets the requirements.
REALTOR® members who hold primary memberships with another local association in California can join CMAR as a secondary member.
CMAR REALTOR® Association fees are prorated from the month the licensee registers with the broker. Thereafter, dues are annually billed by December 1st and are considered late after 30 days.
Each firm shall designate a “Designated REALTOR®” (typically the principal/broker) who are responsible for paying all local, state and national membership dues for each non-REALTOR® licensee (also referred to as non-member salesperson or “NMSP”). In order to maintain membership at all three levels of the organization, the Designated REALTOR® is responsible for paying his/her dues obligation, which includes non-member salespersons fees, to prevent his/her membership from being inactivated.
2024 Required REALTOR® Membership Fees
$150.00 – CMAR Initiation Fee
$375.00 – CMAR Annual Membership Dues
$231.00 – CAR Annual Membership Dues
$200.00 – CAR New Member Fee
$50.00 – CAR Late Renewal Fee
$156.00 – NAR Annual Membership Dues
$45.00 – NAR Public Awareness
Optional REALTOR® Contributions
REALTOR® Action Fund (RAF) – $20 / $49 / $148
CAR Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) – $10 / $25 / $100 / $500 / $1,000
Optional contributions can be made at any time, either with a single payment or monthly payments.
Dues payments and assessments (CMAR, CAR, and NAR) and contributions to the REALTOR® Action Fund are not tax deductible as charitable contributions at the Federal level. Contributions to the CAR Housing Affordability Fund are charitable and tax deductible under both Federal and State law. Payments, exclusing the portion of dues used for lobbying activities and REALTOR® Action Fund, may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Please consult your tax professional.
Credit Card Authorization Form
MLS Users
The transition from an independent MLS platform to the California Regional MLS (CRMLS) version of the FlexMLS platform occurred on September 13, 2022. The service area includes the entire county that contains any of the territorial jurisdiction of (1) any member association or (2) any data share partner AOR/MLS.
Requirements for MLS Broker Participant:
- Valid California real estate broker’s license.
- Principal, partner, corporate office or branch office manager acting on behalf of a principal.
- Offers and/or accepts compensation in the capacity of a real estate broker.
- Signed written agreement to abide by the MLS Rules and Regulations.
- Pay all applicable MLS fees.
- Completion of mandatory MLS orientation.
Requirements for MLS Appraiser Participant:
- Valid California Appraisers certification or license.
- Principal, partner, corporate office or branch office manager acting on behalf of a principal.
- Signed written agreement to abide by the MLS Rules and Regulations.
- Pay all applicable MLS fees.
- Provide and maintain valid, working email address.
- Completion of mandatory MLS orientation.
Requirements for MLS Real Estate Subscriber:
- Valid California real estate broker’s or salesperson’s license.
- Employed by or affiliated as an independent contractor with a Broker Participant.
- Signed written agreement to abide by the MLS Rules and Regulations.
- Pay all applicable MLS fees.
- Completion of mandatory MLS orientation.
Requirements for MLS Appraiser Subscriber:
- Valid California Appraisers certification or license.
- Employed by or affiliated as an independent contractor with an Appraiser Participant.
- Signed written agreement to abide by the MLS Rules and Regulations.
- Pay all applicable MLS fees.
- Completion of mandatory MLS orientation.
Requirements for MLS Clerical User:
- Under direct supervision of MLS Participant or Subscriber, performing only administrative and clerical tasks that do not require a real estate or appraiser license or certificate.
- Signed written agreement to abide by the MLS Rules and Regulations.
- Pay all applicable MLS fees.
- Completion of mandatory MLS orientation.
2024 Required MLS Application and Recurring Participation Fees
$500.00 – Broker Participant / Appraiser Participant Initiation Fee
$250.00 – Real Estate (Associate Broker or Salesperson) Subscriber / Appraiser Subscriber Initiation Fee
$50.00 – Clerical User Initiation Fee
$225.00 – 2024 Recurring Participation Fee (Quarterly)
$30.00 – 2024 Recurring Clerical User Fee (Quarterly)
Credit Card Authorization Form
Business Affiliates and Affiliate Members
Businesses, real estate owners, and other individuals or firms who are engaged in activities related to the real estate profession, who are interested in information concerning real estate and support the mission of CMAR, but do not qualify for REALTOR® Membership.
2024 Business Affiliate/Affiliate Membership Fees
$325.00 – Annual Business Affiliate/Affiliate Membership Fee
$150.00 – Annual Non-profit Business Affiliate Membership Fee
Note: Affiliate fees are for the full year. Fees are not prorated unless the next year is paid in full when joining.
