| Aspect | Realtors | Real Estate Agents |
|---|
| Credentials | Must be licensed and a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) | Must be licensed; membership in NAR is optional |
| Work Environment | Work in real estate transactions, often with access to NAR resources | Assist clients in buying/selling property, work in various real estate firms |
| Industry Usage | Used to denote members of NAR, often seen as a mark of professionalism | General term for licensed real estate practitioners |
Realtors are licensed real estate agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors, which provides additional resources and ethical standards. Not all real estate agents are Realtors, but all Realtors are licensed agents. The key difference lies in NAR membership and adherence to its code of ethics, which can influence client trust and professionalism.