Member FAQs

Becoming a Member

There are two ways to apply for membership: Online via Docusign or in person at the association. To sign up you will need a membership application completed and signed. If you are an agent, the application will need to be signed by you and your broker.  You will also need to submit a copy of your DRE License and Driver’s License. After your application is received, we will be in contact with you to schedule a zoom meeting within 24-48 hours. During the zoom meeting we will discuss membership details, pricing and required classes. Once we’ve had the zoom meeting, your application will be processed within 24-48 hours.  At this time, we will process your payment for membership. New members are required to attend two In-Person Classes, a New Member Orientation within 90 days of joining and an MLS Class within 60 days of joining. After your application is processed, you will receive a welcome email with all your membership information.

  • Local: $200 SBAOR Dues
  • State: $342 California Association of REALTORS Dues
  • NAR: $201 National Association of REALTORS Dues

  • To sign up as a Secondary Member, you will need a membership application completed and signed. If you are an agent, the application will need to be signed by you and your broker. You will also need to submit a copy of your DRE License and Driver’s License, and we will also need a Letter of Good Standing from your primary association. The Letter of Good Standing will assist us in quoting the correct amount you will need to pay to join SBAOR. After your application is received, we will be in contact with you to schedule a zoom meeting within 24-48 hours. During the zoom meeting we will discuss membership details, pricing and required classes. If you are a member of an association that is not a participant of CRMLS, you will need to attend a mandatory in person MLS class within 60 days of joining. Once we’ve had the zoom meeting, your application will be processed within 24-48 hours. At this time, we will process your payment for membership. After your application is processed, you will receive a welcome email with all your membership information, including member numbers and your MLS log in credentials.

Tools & Access

To access MLS, use the link below:

http://www.crmls.org/ Click on Login to Your MLS and Enter your username and password. Supra Ekeys are assigned virtually. You can get your supra ekey access by calling our office at 310-326-3010. After your supra ekey has been assigned, you will receive an email and text from supra with self-activation instructions. During the activation you will choose a pin number, and you will also provide payment for the supra-activation and monthly fee. You must complete the self-activating within 5 days. Supra Ekey 5.0 Quick Guide: 10106087P1 eKEY Quick Guide, Rev. C

As a SBAOR member, you have access to Lone Wolf Transactions zipForm® Edition , which is an exclusive NAR library of REALTOR® forms & templates and the C.A.R. state form library.

Education & Compliance

Renewal of your license is every 4 years. Completion of 45 hours of continuing education must be submitted to the DRE along with the renewal application and the applicable fees. Details about how to renew you license may be found here: https://www.dre.ca.gov/Licensees/RenewLicense.html

The continuing education requirement may be completed through various companies and providers. One option is offered FREE online for C.A.R. Members: https://www.car.org/education/licenserenewal

All REALTORS® are required to complete the N.A.R. Code of Ethics course every three-year cycle. Upcoming cycles are 1/1/2025 to 12/ 31/2027, 1/1/2028 to 12/31/2030, 1/1/2031 to 12/31/2033, 1/1/2034 to 12/31/2036. You will be notified if you must complete your Code of Ethics requirement before the upcoming deadline of that cycle.

Note: The Code of Ethics is different from the other N.A.R. requirement to complete the Fair Housing Course; also must be done every three-year cycle.

At the SBAOR, we have a Grievance and Professional Standards Committee that considers allegations of unethical conduct or violations of MLS rules and determines whether a complaint should be subject to a hearing. The Professional Standards Committee also provides trained members for ethics and arbitration hearing panels. If you want more information or to file a complaint you can visit, https://southbayaor.com/dispute-resolution/. 

Value & Advocacy

SBAOR protects your business through a robust Government Affairs Advocacy program aimed at protecting the rights and interests of property owners and REALTORS®. We foster relationships with elected officials, their staff, and coalitions in order to effectively advocate for realtor priorities. Additionally, we empower our members to understand the role of government in organized real estate and the vital importance of advocacy.

For our realtors, we fight to protect the independent contractor status, as well as against direct taxing of REALTOR® commissions, Real Estate sign restrictions, and additional business licenses. And for their clients (current and future), we work to protect the California Dream for All first time homebuyer down payment assistance program, the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction, Prop 13, and against the harmful effects of rent control expansion. The policy threats to homeownership and real estate are real and unrelenting. That’s why SBAOR advocates with you, for you, your clients, and homeownership!

Networking

SBAOR offers a lot of structured and informal ways to meet people, both through events and ongoing groups:

  • Monthly meetings, classes, and workshops
  • Social & networking events
  • Annual convention & larger gatherings 
    • These range from education-based to purely social so members can plug in at different levels.

Committees

Joining a committee is one of the core networking pathways:

  • Committees are the “backbone of the association” and a major way to build relationships  
  • They provide:
    • Direct collaboration with other agents
    • Ongoing meetings (monthly or bi-monthly)
    • Shared projects and discussions

 

Leadership

At SBAOR is less about a single program and more about progressive involvement paths:

Committee Leadership & Participation

Members can:

  • Serve on committees
  • Lead discussions or initiatives
  • Eventually move into chair/vice-chair roles

Board & Governance Involvement

SBAOR is governed by a Board of Directors, with committees feeding into leadership decisions.  

Serving on committees builds toward:

  • Policy influence
  • Industry advocacy
  • Association leadership roles
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