CE Elective: Fair Housing & The REALTORS' Code with Katherine Kirchner - VIRTUAL

Description

NOTE: This 4.5 hour NC Elective course is NC Commission approved and is timed to cover The Code of Ethics for 2.5 hours, and Fair Housing for the remaining 2 hours of instructional time, as required by NAR.  Course completion will satisfy both the NCREC requirement for 4 hr. Elective course for 2026-27 and the NAR Requirement for Ethics and Fair Housing training for Cycle 8 (2025-2027).

This course will provide an overview of the framework of the REALTORS®’ Code of Ethics, beginning with the aspirational concepts of the Preamble, then moving to the current Articles and Standards of Practice, and finishing with methods of enforcement. From there, the class will transition to an exploration of the existing Fair Housing legislation with a focus on exposing the historical roots of discrimination, identifying the protected classes and the means of complaint enforcement at the federal, state and local levels, and exploring strategies for effectively avoiding biased behavior in our real estate practice. The course finishes with insights into the neurological basis of implicit bias, and ways to manage stress to better avoid unintentional discriminatory behavior in our daily practice.

GRRA Continuing Education Classroom Expectations

Virtual (Synchronous) CE Courses

The Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association (GRRA) is committed to providing a professional, engaging, and compliant learning environment for all Continuing Education students.

These expectations are designed to meet North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) requirements and to ensure GRRA can properly verify attendance and participation for Continuing Education credit.

Technology Requirements for the class:

GRRA requires using a laptop or tablet with access to a front-facing camera (phones are not acceptable devices for a synchronous class).  

     - Use a computer or device with a working camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection.  

     - Check your laptop in advance to ensure all updates have been done and your camera is operational.

Before You Log In

Please plan ahead and be prepared to participate for the entire course.

   Several days before the class:

     - Check email for Zoom Invitation, including Spam and All Mail, sent when you registered.  

     - Download your course materials. The link to the course manual will be sent several days before the class.

   Day of class:

     - Choose a quiet location with minimal interruptions.

     - Have your course materials ready

     - Have your NCREC License Number available. It is used throughout the course to verify your attendance.

     - Log in at least 15 minutes before class to complete check-in and address any technical issues.

     - Position your camera so your face is clearly visible.

Attendance & CE Credit

NCREC requires brokers to attend at least 90% of the scheduled instructional hours of an approved Continuing Education course to receive CE credit.

     - Be logged in and ready to participate before the scheduled start time.

     - Late arrival counts toward the allowable absence time.

     - Time away from the virtual classroom counts toward the allowable absence time.

     - Returning late from a scheduled break also counts as absence time.

     - Students who exceed the allowable absence time will not receive CE credit.

     - Students may not leave class early and receive CE credit

Participation & Professional Conduct

 Students are expected to:

     - Respond to instructor questions and attendance checks when requested

     - Participate in polls, chat activities, discussions, and other required course activities.

     - Remain at the computer or device being used to attend class.

     - Follow instructor directions regarding participation.

     - Keep microphones muted when not speaking.

     - Use the chat function appropriately and for course-related communication.

     - Treat instructors, classmates, and GRRA staff with courtesy and professionalism.
 

 During instructional time, students may NOT:

     - Conduct unrelated business or work, including responding to clients or completing real estate transactions

     - Browse the internet or use electronic devices for non-course purposes.

     - Watch television, sleep, or engage in other unrelated activities.

     - Leave the virtual classroom for extended periods without permission.

     - Turn off the camera or remain out of view without permission.

     - Allow another person to participate using the student’s login or device.

     - Engage in disruptive, inappropriate, or unprofessional behavior.

Attending Class from a Vehicle Is Not Permitted

Students may not attend virtual CE while in a moving vehicle — whether they are driving or riding as a passenger.

Virtual CE requires students to remain visible, attentive, and actively engaged throughout instructional time. Being a passenger does not provide an exception to this requirement.

If a student is traveling during class, the time spent in the vehicle may be treated as an absence and may affect eligibility for CE credit.

Simply put: If the vehicle is moving, you cannot participate in class — even as a passenger.

Failure to meet attendance, camera, participation, or conduct requirements may result in loss of CE credit or removal from the course.

Technology Problems

Students are responsible for having the equipment and internet connection necessary to participate in the course.

If you experience a technical problem:

     - Notify GRRA staff as soon as possible at 336-854-5868.

     - Follow instructions for reconnecting and return to the virtual classroom as quickly as possible.

     - If technical problems persist, contact the NC REALTORS® Tech Helpline at 877-573-5612.

     - Understand that time missed because of technical difficulties may count toward the allowable absence time.

GRRA staff are not able to provide technical assistance during class.

GRRA cannot guarantee CE credit when technical difficulties prevent required attendance or participation from being verified.

Course Completion

Upon successful completion of the course:

     - GRRA will report your course completion to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.

     - You will receive a Course Completion Certificate.

     - NCREC requires course completion reports be submitted within seven calendar days after the course.

     - Retain your Course Completion Certificate for your records.

     - Verify that the course appears on your NCREC education record.

Important Notice

These expectations are based on current North Carolina Real Estate Commission rules and guidance applicable to synchronous Continuing Education courses.

GRRA may establish reasonable policies that are more restrictive than the Commission’s minimum requirements when necessary to properly verify attendance and participation and maintain the integrity of its Continuing Education program.

North Carolina Real Estate Commission attendance requirements apply to this course. Attendance will be strictly monitored. A smart device, tablet, laptop, or desktop with working internet, camera, and audio is required. The Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association is a not-for-profit trade association devoted to improving the business conditions of the real estate industry. GRRA meetings and events often include real estate professionals and other industry stakeholders who compete with each other or work for competing businesses. GRRA is committed to conducting all meetings and events in a professional, ethical, and lawful manner, including in adherence to all antitrust laws. To that end, the topics for this meeting will focus on advancing the interests of real estate professionals and consumers of real estate services, increasing competition, reducing risk for all parties involved in real estate transactions, and sharing insights on business best practices. The following discussion topics are always prohibited: agreements to fix prices, limit product or service offerings, allocate geographical territory or customers, and refuse to deal. Any discussion inconsistent with this policy will not be tolerated.