BCAR Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Q. Why Should I Become a REALTOR®?
The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. As a REALTOR® member you pledge to abide by a strict Code of Ethics which includes time-honored principles such as loyalty to clients, fiduciary (legal) duty to clients, cooperation with competitors, truthfulness in statements and advertising and non-interference in exclusive relationships that other REALTORS® have with their clients.
Q. How Do I Choose a REALTOR®?
To make sure that you choose REALTOR® who will provide topnotch service and meet your unique needs, please access these questions to ask http://www.realtor.org/nsf/pages/buyer14
Q. How Do I Log On to Your Website?
Members of the public may access the basic links on our site. BCAR members are able to log in to register for events, pay dues and visit member-only links. If you are a member in good standing and you have yet to register for the site, please follow these steps. . .
- Click the “Login” icon at the top of the page
- Click the “Click Here: Icon
- Create a Username (any numbers and any letters)
- Put in your NRDS number (this number is on your membership card)
- Create a password
- Confirm your password
- Type in email address
- Hit submit
- Click “Login” icon again
- Type the username you just created
- Type the password you just created
Q. What Should I Do When I Change Offices?
Often we are told after the fact that you have changed offices and we lose track of your record. This automatically enters you as an inactive member. This can result in having your membership privileges suspended including the use of your Active Key. The best way to prevent this from occurring is to have your new broker or manager send an email or fax to Kelly Wenhold, Director, Member Servicces kelly@bucksrealtor.com or fax 215-956-9298
Q. What does it mean to Escrow a License and how do I Escrow?
If you have decided to leave the business, but feel that you may return, you have five years to escrow your license without having to take the licensing courses again. You will, however, have to take your 14 hours of continuing education. You must send your license back to the state real estate commission. The form with which to do this is located at this link http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/20/realestatecomm/escrowrequest.pdf
Q. Where Can I Take Continuing Education Classes?
We currently partner with Schlicher Kratz. Their contact information is 800-364-0380 or 215-855-1265. Their website is www.learnrealestate.com. BCAR also offers designation and continuing education classes in partnership with the Pennsylvania Real Estate Institute. Their contact information is 1-800-745-5527. Access to their website and education information is as follows- http://www.parealtor.org/content/education.htm
Q. How Many Continuing Education Credits do I need and how do I Get Them?
The state of Pennsylvania requires all real estate agents to complete 14 hours of continuing education within every 24-month cycle. The cycles run on May 31st of every even year. In addition the National Association of REALTORS® requires its members to complete 3 hours of ethics training every four years. The current cycle is December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2008.
Q. Where Can I Take Code of Ethics Training?
You may take your Code of Ethics training here through BCAR; we offer it at every Orientation, through an accredited school who have Code of Ethics instructors or it may be taken online by going to the following link- http://www.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/onlineethicstraining
Q. How do I Access my Credits for Continuing Education?
The ONLLY record we keep in the BCAR office is the completion of the orientation course. The process to obtain your credits is as follows: after course completion, the real estate school will send your transcript to the state real estate commission. Once you have taken all 14 hours, the commission will send you an updated license. You may contact the commission at 717-783-3658.
Q. How do I register for an Event?
There are three simple ways to register for any BCAR sponsored event, seminar, or program.
- Log on to the website and click “register for event”
- Call us on the phone at 215-956-9176
- Email the staff member organizing the event
Q. How do I File a Complaint?
If you are a REALTOR® or a member of the public and have a complaint, you may either call Lisa Frey at 215-956-9176 or access the forms to be filled out at this link- http://www.bucksrealtor.com/realtors/filecomplaint.htm
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