Many people mistakenly use the term REALTOR to describe any real estate agent. But there’s a difference. A real estate agent is licensed by the state to sell real estate. He or she has met the minimum state requirements. A REALTOR is a real estate agent who, in addition, belongs to the National Association of Realtors trade organization. These agents subscribe to professionalism and a strict code of ethics, and belong to a State Association of Realtors (e.g. The Florida Association of Realtors) as well as a Local Association (i.e. the Manatee Association of Realtors). They also may use the trademarked (and capitalized) term "REALTOR®".

The term REALTOR has come to connote competency, fairness and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations.