FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NONMEMBER SALESPERSONS
Each REALTOR office has a principal broker or primary appraiser that is established as the "Designated REALTOR" for their office. The Designated REALTOR has certain membership obligations which are greater than the obligations of the licensees they supervised. One such obligation lies in the NAR Dues policy, which establishes that Designated REALTORS are required to pay dues based on the total number of licensees in their office.
To alleviate the burden of dues collection for our member offices, SMTAR collects membership dues and fees from each individual licensees and then bills any unpaid balances to the Designated REALTOR, when necessary. We work diligently with our brokers and appraisers to resolve unpaid balances before it is necessary for them to be paid at the office level.
What is a NonMember Salesperson?
A NonMember Salesperson is an agent in a REALTOR Office who has not paid REALTOR dues to an association.
What dues are required for NonMember Salespersons?
If a licensee in a REALTOR Office chooses not to join an association, SMTAR will bill the principal broker a NonMember Assessment for that licensee. At this time, the NonMember Assessment is $511 and is not prorated.
Why is there an assessment?
The assessment is part of the association bylaws as required by the National Association of REALTORS. (Article X, Section 2.) This is known as the Broker Dues Obligation.
Who pays this assessment?
The assessment is billed to the principal broker, but can be paid by anyone.
What if no one wants to pay the assessment?
To avoid payment of the assessment, a principal broker may retire, transfer or release the licensee from their firm.
How long do we have to pay the assessment?
Our bylaws specify that invoices are due upon receipt. Please note, however, that the NonMember Assessment requires extra consideration and efforts to resolve. We will work with Designated REALTORS to the best of our abilities.
What is the penalty if we do not pay the invoice or release the licensee?
Because this is a membership obligation of the Designated REALTOR, services are typically interrupted to the entire firm when a NonMember Assessment is left unresolved.