Glossary
Realtor vs Real Estate Agent — What's the Difference?
A real estate agent is anyone licensed to help people buy or sell property. A Realtor is a real estate agent who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). "Realtor" is a trademarked term — not all agents are Realtors.
This distinction matters more than most people realize, especially when you're marketing to agents or buying contact data.
Real Estate Agent
- Licensed by their state to practice real estate - Must pass a state licensing exam - Must complete continuing education to maintain their license - Can work independently or under a broker - There are roughly 2 million licensed agents in the US
Realtor
- Everything above, plus NAR membership - Subscribes to NAR's Code of Ethics - Pays annual dues to local, state, and national associations - Can use the "Realtor" trademark - About 1.5 million of the 2 million agents are NAR members
Why this matters for data buyers
When you buy a real estate agent contact list, make sure you're getting all licensed agents — not just Realtors. Some data sources only pull from NAR membership directories, which misses hundreds of thousands of licensed agents who aren't NAR members. USAgentLeads sources from state licensing authorities, capturing all licensed agents regardless of NAR membership.
Other titles you'll see
- **Broker:** An agent with additional licensing who can operate independently or manage other agents - **Associate Broker:** A broker who works under another broker - **Salesperson/Sales Agent:** An entry-level licensee who must work under a broker
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