Which organization owns the REALTOR trademark?

The National Association of Realtors owns the REALTOR trademark and licenses it under defined membership and usage rules.

The organization was founded in 1908 as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges and adopted its current name in 1972. It is a U.S. trade association representing people involved in residential and commercial real estate, including brokers, sales agents, property managers, and other professionals.

“Realtor” is not simply a synonym for every real-estate agent. In the United States, REALTOR is a membership designation associated with the National Association of Realtors and its code of ethics. The organization says the term should be capitalized and used for members who meet its requirements.

The word was created in the early twentieth century as a branding term for real-estate professionals. Outside the United States, licensing titles and professional organizations differ, so the trademark should not be assumed to describe every property agent internationally.