Which of these requires a higher standard than ethical laws?

• A. State Law
• B. NAR Code Of Ethics
• C. Local Ordinance
• D. Mortgage Guidelines

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that professional ethics can demand more than what the law requires. The NAR Code of Ethics sets REALTORS to higher standards in how they treat clients, the public, and other licensees, including duties of honesty, disclosure, confidentiality, loyalty, and fair housing. These duties aren’t just legal requirements; they’re ethical commitments that the profession enforces, with potential sanctions from the association for violations even if no law was broken. In contrast, state law and local ordinances establish legal obligations, and mortgage guidelines are lender criteria for financing. They regulate conduct too, but they don’t establish the elevated ethical duties that come from the professional code. So, the NAR Code of Ethics is the standard that goes beyond legal requirements.