Select the option that best describes your situation.
Select the situation that best applies.
Start with the least formal option and escalate only as needed.
C.A.R. Ombudsmen are REALTORS® who volunteer their time to answer non-legal questions and resolve non-legal disputes. The Ombudsman Hotline is a free service. An ombudsman is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice or answer legal questions.
For consumers: If you are involved in an active transaction with a REALTOR®, an ombudsman can answer questions about your transaction or help resolve a minor dispute.
To request assistance, provide your name, email, and telephone number; the license number of the agent representing you; the license number of the other party in the transaction; and the topic of the matter.
Is it anonymous? The intake coordinator needs license information to assign your request to an ombudsman. The ombudsman will not contact the REALTOR® involved unless you ask them to.
If you believe a REALTOR® has violated the NAR Code of Ethics, anyone can file a formal complaint through C.A.R.'s CasePro system. Ethics complaints do not award money to the complainant. They result in disciplinary action if a violation is found, and any fine imposed is paid directly to PSAR.
Complaints are filed through the local association where the REALTOR® holds membership. Not sure which association? Search for a member's local affiliation.
Review the Before You File an Ethics Complaint brochure. It explains the process and the alternatives worth considering first.
For money disputes, C.A.R.'s Dispute Resolution Center offers expert mediation and arbitration. PSAR sponsors this service. It is faster and far less expensive than court. Expert mediators with real estate-focused training facilitate confidential, neutral sessions, and most disputes resolve at mediation.
PSAR provides this service and contracts with the California Association of REALTORS® to administer it. You get neutral, expert mediation that is faster and far less expensive than court.
Expert mediators with real estate-focused training facilitate confidential, neutral sessions. Although most matters settle in mediation, an arbitration referral program is available for disputes that do not resolve.
Select the track that best describes your situation.
Follow this escalation path in order. Proceed to the next step only if the prior one does not resolve your dispute.
Before filing anything, get professional, confidential legal guidance from C.A.R. attorneys on real estate law and your rights. Broker-owners and Designated REALTORS® have a dedicated direct line.
C.A.R. Ombudsmen are REALTORS® who volunteer their time to answer non-legal questions and resolve non-legal disputes. The Ombudsman Hotline is a free service. An ombudsman is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice or answer legal questions.
For members: If you have a concern about another member's professional conduct, an issue with a transaction, or you just need advice from a peer, an ombudsman can help.
To request assistance, provide your name, email, and telephone number; your license number; the license number of the other party in the transaction; and the topic of the matter.
Is it anonymous? The intake coordinator needs license information to assign your request to an ombudsman. The ombudsman will not contact the REALTOR® involved unless you ask them to.
A mediator works with both parties toward a mutually acceptable resolution. It is less adversarial than arbitration, and most disputes resolve here within two months. If unresolved, arbitration may be sought.
If mediation fails, arbitration produces a binding decision on who is entitled to the disputed money. A formal hearing is conducted by the Professional Standards Committee, and the panel rules 100% in favor of one party. Decisions are final unless a review is requested from PSAR's Board of Directors, which carries a $500 review fee.
Ethics complaints result in disciplinary action, not money awards. Follow this escalation path before filing formally.
C.A.R. assigns a trained volunteer to help you determine whether conduct may constitute a Code of Ethics violation. Volunteers are REALTOR® members with ethics training. This is not legal advice.
C.A.R. Ombudsmen are REALTORS® who volunteer their time to answer non-legal questions and resolve non-legal disputes. The Ombudsman Hotline is a free service. An ombudsman is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice or answer legal questions.
For members: If you have a concern about another member's professional conduct or an issue with a transaction, an ombudsman can attempt to resolve it informally before a formal complaint is filed.
To request assistance, provide your name, email, and telephone number; your license number; the license number of the other party in the transaction; and the topic of the matter.
Is it anonymous? The intake coordinator needs license information to assign your request to an ombudsman. The ombudsman will not contact the REALTOR® involved unless you ask them to.
Once filed, the Grievance Committee reviews the complaint and determines if a Professional Standards hearing is warranted. The committee evaluates the complaint on its face and does not decide guilt or innocence. If referred to a hearing, the Professional Standards Committee panel hears evidence and determines whether a violation occurred and what disciplinary action is appropriate. Any fine imposed is paid directly to PSAR.
Review the Before You File an Ethics Complaint brochure, and if needed search for the member's local association to confirm where to file.
MLS rules are governed and enforced directly by CRMLS, independent of PSAR. Choose the resource that fits your situation.
The complete CRMLS rulebook governing listings, conduct, and compliance.
This NAR-mandated policy requires a listing broker to submit a publicly marketed exclusive listing to the MLS within one business day. The rules around Coming Soon status, exclusions, and what counts as public marketing change frequently, so always check the current policy before marketing off-MLS.
Violation reports are filed directly with CRMLS. PSAR does not administer MLS enforcement. Reports are kept confidential, and your identity is not shared with the reported party unless you authorize it.
The current CRMLS citation policy, including the rule categories and fine schedule.
If you received a citation and want to dispute it, the Citation Review FAQs explain the review process and how to request one.
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