OREC Resources
The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission’s page is your source for licensing, compliance, and trusted real estate guidance in Oklahoma.
Broker Resources
Successful brokers lead their agents to success. As an association, OKCMAR serves as a resource for REALTORS® to stay informed and uphold professional standards. This page is a guide for brokers, providing content to aid in your role as leader of your brokerage.
Broker Information
What is a Broker?
A Broker is a licensed real estate professional authorized to represent clients in real estate transactions and oversee real estate activity in compliance with state law and REALTOR® ethical standards.
What does a Broker do?
A Broker is responsible for:
• Representing clients with honesty, skill, and professionalism
• Handling offers and contracts accurately and in a timely manner
• Safeguarding funds and ensuring proper accounting
• Providing required disclosures and maintaining confidentiality
• Supervising agents and transactions within their brokerage
• Complying with state law and REALTOR® ethics
Simply put, the Broker is the legally and ethically accountable professional in every real estate transaction.
Brokers
protect consumers by ensuring contracts, funds, disclosures, and representation are handled ethically, accurately, and in compliance with state law.
Brokers
supervise agents, uphold REALTOR® standards, and help keep transactions fair, transparent, and professional from start to finish.
Brokers
are the foundation of the transaction.
Become a Broker
(Sales Associate to Managing Broker)
Requirements
• Must have at least two years experience of Sales Associate licensure. Licensure completed as a Provisional Sales Associate does not count towards the required experience.
• Must complete the 90-hour pre-license broker course. All coursework is valid for three years from the completion date.
• Must complete the 15-hour Broker in Charge course.
• Must complete the Transaction Experience Waiver form.
• Must complete a license type change request through the License Portal.
• Must pass the broker exam.
• After passing the broker examination, complete the remaining items under the License Type Change request.
Continuing Education Requirements
(Resident Broker)
30 Hours total, consisting of:
• 15 hour Broker-in-Charge (BIC) course.
• 6 hours of Contract and Forms (CON) courses.
• 9 hours remaining can be completed in any course category, including electives.
Designations
Learn more about NAR Designations and Certifications like the Certified Real Estate Broker Manager (CRB) designed to raise professional standards and strengthen individual and office performance.
Find the most up to date information for each license type:
Apply and Renew
Visit the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission for more information on becoming a broker and applying for or renewing your license.
OREC Fee Schedule
View the current Oklahoma Real Estate Commission fee schedule for a complete list of broker costs.
NAR Checklist
View NAR’s Real Estate Brokerage Launch Checklist to take your brokerage from concept to fully operational.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions real estate brokers ask most—so you can work smarter, not harder.
Brokers
You must notify OKCMAR of:
- Changes to your office address
- Changes to your management team
- A license placed in escrow or returned to the state
- The death of a member affiliated with your office
As the Designated REALTOR®, you are responsible for ensuring agents are aware of:
- Licensing, post‑licensing, Ethics, and renewal requirements
- OKCMAR, NAR & OAR Bylaws, policies, and procedures
- MLSOK Policies and procedures
Do I need to be a member if my agent joins another Association?
If an agent affiliated with your office chooses to hold Primary Membership with the Oklahoma Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (OKCMAR) as the Designated REALTOR® you must also be a member of OKCMAR.
Brokers are not required to be Primary Members; Secondary Membership satisfies this requirement.
If an agent applies for membership and the Broker is not currently an OKCMAR member, the Broker will be prompted to join as a Secondary Member. If the Broker refuses membership, please note that the agent will NOT be eligible for a refund of dues in accordance with NAR policy.
If you are opening a new office or assuming responsibility for an existing office affiliated with OKCMAR, required documentation must be submitted to Member Care. OKCMAR will update the applicable records with OKCMAR and MLSOK. Processing times can take up to 24hrs.
Brokers and offices are responsible for ensuring that all firm and office records are accurate across Association and MLS systems. This includes maintaining current office information and license details as required by OKCMAR Policies and Procedures and MLSOK Rules and Regulations.
To update office contact information (address, phone, management, or firm details), contact our Member Care Team.
Please note:
Office information on file with OKCMAR and MLSOK is displayed for all agents affiliated with the firm. Accurate and timely updates are the responsibility of the Designated REALTOR®.
Office information on file with OKCMAR and MLSOK is displayed for all agents affiliated with the firm. Accurate and timely updates are the responsibility of the Designated REALTOR®.
Yes, Brokers may employ both licensed and unlicensed assistants.
- Licensed Assistants must hold an active real estate license and be properly reported and affiliated with OKCMAR and MLSOK in the correct status. Any individual holding an active license must be disclosed, regardless of job title.
- Unlicensed Assistants may perform clerical and administrative duties only and may not engage in any activities requiring licensure. MLS access, if granted, must comply with MLSOK rules.
The Designated REALTOR® is responsible for ensuring all assistants are accurately reported and compliant with OKCMAR and MLSOK requirements.
Agents
When you onboard a new agent, you should expect that:
- The agent must apply for OKCMAR membership promptly after affiliating with your office
- Required items include a completed membership application, license verification, and your broker/office affiliation approval
- The agent will receive instructions for orientation, Code of Ethics, and Fair Housing training, which must be completed within required timelines
- Dues and fees will be assessed based on the agent’s status and join date
- As the Designated REALTOR®, you are responsible for ensuring the agent completes onboarding and remains compliant
If an agent does not apply or complete requirements within the required timeframe, compliance notices and potential financial liability may apply to the brokerage under OKCMAR policy.
When an agent transfers out of or into your office, notify OKCMAR Member Care promptly so the agent’s membership and MLS records can be updated correctly.
As the Designated REALTOR®:
- Confirm the agent has submitted the transfer to OREC
- Ensure the agent completes any required transfer paperwork(provide our Member Care department with an up-to-date email address for the agent)
- Be aware that a $35.00 transfer processing fee applies
- Transfers must be reported within 10 days to avoid compliance issues
Timely notification ensures accurate records with OKCMAR, OAR, NAR, and MLSOK and helps prevent billing or access disruptions.
Each REALTOR® holds one Primary Membership and may hold Secondary Membership(s).
- Primary Membership is the association where an agent pays state (OAR) and national (NAR) dues and completes required onboarding and training. This is where the agent’s is officially “anchored”
- Secondary Membership allows an agent to belong to additional associations without paying state and national dues again. State and national dues remain paid through the primary association.
Agents must hold REALTOR® membership somewhere unless properly classified otherwise. OKCMAR must have accurate primary/secondary designation for each agent to apply dues correctly and comply with the NAR dues formula.
The Designated REALTOR® is responsible for ensuring all agents’ membership status is properly reported and current.
Your agents have several ways to stay informed about what’s happening at OKCMAR. Be sure to read the OKCMAR Weekly every Monday evening for the latest updates on events and classes. Follow and subscribe to our social media channels—especially Facebook—for real-time announcements.
You can also visit the OKCMAR calendar anytime to view upcoming events and plan ahead.
Designated REALTOR®
A Designated REALTOR® (DR) is the individual appointed by a real estate firm, partnership, or corporation to represent the firm in the local, state, and national REALTOR® associations. This person is typically a principal broker, owner, or someone in management control of the firm.
The DR is responsible for ensuring the firm and its affiliated licensees comply with membership rules, dues obligations, and ethical standards.
ROLE:
The Designated REALTOR® (DR) is the principal in a real estate firm—such as a sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or branch office manager—who represents the firm in the association.
KEY OBLIGATIONS:
Membership Compliance
All licensees affiliated with the DR’s firm must hold REALTOR® membership through a local association (e.g., OKCMAR) within 30 days of onboarding.
Notify the association within 30 days of any affiliation or severance changes.
Roster Certification
Twice yearly (April and September), DR must certify:
- A complete list of all individuals licensed in the office.
- Primary association designation for each member.
- Identification of non-member licensees and any dues paid to other associations.
Ethics & Professional Standards
DR must comply with the NAR Code of Ethics, including arbitration or mediation obligations under Article 17.
Ensure proper and legal use of the REALTOR® trademark by all affiliated licensees.
Education & Training
New REALTORS® Complete Code of Ethics orientation within 30 days and Fair Housing training within 60 days for new members.
FINANCIAL:
You’ll pay your own dues as a REALTOR® member.
You’ll also pay additional dues for each affiliated licensee (agents, appraisers, etc.) in your office who is not a member of an association that you as the DR are affiliated with, either primary or secondary.
You must certify annually if you have referral-only licensees, so they can be excluded from dues calculations.
Submit reports listing:
- New agents
- Terminated agents
- License status changes
- Office relocations or structural changes
Failure to report may result in:
- Incorrect dues billing
- Compliance violations
- Potential disciplinary action
Non-Member
A non-member is any broker, salesperson, or appraiser affiliated with your office who does not hold REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, or Institute Affiliate membership with the Association.
The non‑member fee is a charge assessed to the Designated REALTOR® (broker) for any affiliated licensee who does not hold REALTOR® membership within the required timeframe.
At OKCMAR, the current non-member fee is:
- $636 per licensee
The fee is based on the NAR Dues Formula, adopted by:
- Local – OKCMAR
- OAR
- NAR
This policy requires that:
- Brokers are financially responsible for all affiliated licensees
- Any licensee who does not join within the required timeframe is treated as a non-member licensee
- The dues/fees is required, not optional, and not refundable
Yes, the fee can change if:
- NAR, OAR, or OKCMAR increase their dues
- The Designated REALTOR adds or removes affiliated licensees within 30 days of agent affiliation
Compliant Office
A REALTOR® compliant office is a real estate brokerage that adheres to both state licensing laws and the strict National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics. It ensures all agents act with honesty, integrity, and professionalism, with mandatory training every three years, ensuring high standards that often exceed legal requirements.
Requirements:
- All agents must complete ethics training
- Brokers must report new hires, terminations, and license changes within 10 days
- Offices must comply with Code of Ethics, arbitration, and mediation rules
Non-member dues assessment:
If affiliated licensees do not join within the required timeframe, the Designated REALTOR® (DR) may be billed non-member dues on their behalf.
Suspension or termination of membership:
Continued non-compliance may lead to suspension or termination of the DR’s membership in accordance with NAR Bylaws.
Loss of MLS access:
The office and its affiliated agents may lose access to MLS services until compliance is restored.
Impact on transfers:
Non-compliance may affect eligibility for a Letter of Good Standing, which is required when transferring membership between associations.
Fines and disciplinary action:
Violations of the Code of Ethics or misuse of the REALTOR® trademark may result in fines, required education, arbitration, or other disciplinary measures.
Limited Function Referral Office (LFRO)
An LFRO is a separate legal entity used for licensees who are not actively practicing real estate and only generate referrals.
Licensees in an LFRO do not engage in listing, selling, leasing, managing, or appraising.
They may only refer clients to the brokerage.
The LFRO must be separate from the brokerage entity.
All referrals must be made to the brokerage on a substantially exclusive basis.
Access a sample LFRO certification form
Learn more from NAR: https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/policies/limited-function-referral-office-lfro-policy
LFRO licensees are limited strictly to referral activity.
Allowed:
- Referring clients to the brokerage
- Receiving referral compensation
Not Allowed:
- Listing, selling, leasing, renting, managing, counseling, or appraising property
- Accessing the MLS
- Participating in any transaction activity, including for family members
Any activity beyond referrals violates LFRO status.
To qualify for the LFRO dues waiver:
- Licensees must be placed in a separate entity (not just labeled “referral” within the brokerage)
- Simply holding a referral license within the brokerage does not qualify
- Brokers may operate both a brokerage and LFRO entity, but they must remain distinct
- Licensees may hold an LFRO waiver in one state and REALTOR® membership in another if properly structured with different brokerages
Brokers are responsible for ensuring proper structure and ongoing compliance.
- Violations result in loss of exemption and possible disciplinary action
- LFRO waiver may be revoked
- Membership dues may be assessed for the current year
- The association may impose disciplinary action under NAR policy
- Failure to pay fines or dues may result in membership termination.
NAR Broker Resources
The National Association of REALTORS® Broker resource page is a powerful hub for OKCMAR brokers, offering tools, insights, and ready-to-use materials to support growth, leadership, and success in today’s market.