In short
Members agree to follow CREA's code of ethics and get access to the MLS® System through their local board.
In Ontario, anyone trading in real estate must also be registered with RECO, the provincial regulator.
What REALTOR® means
REALTOR® is a certification mark, not a job title. It's owned by REALTOR® Canada Inc., a company jointly owned by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the U.S. National Association of REALTORS®.
Only CREA members can use it. Members join through a local real estate board and provincial association, and agree to follow the REALTOR® Code. CREA says it has more than 160,000 member brokers and agents across Canada.
Because it's a trademark, it should be written in capitals with the ® symbol and never used as a generic word for any agent. CREA's own shorthand: not every real estate agent is a REALTOR®.
REALTOR® vs registered real estate agent in Ontario
Two different things are going on. To trade in real estate in Ontario at all, a salesperson, broker or brokerage must be registered with RECO under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002. That's the legal licence.
Being a REALTOR® is a membership on top of that. Not every registered agent is a member, and those who aren't can't call themselves REALTORS® or use board MLS® Systems. In Ottawa, the local board is the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB).
When you sign with a REALTOR®, your contract is still with their brokerage, and the same TRESA rules on representation agreements, fees and disclosure apply as with any registered agent.
What membership adds
CREA says its REALTOR® Code sets a standard of ethics and service that goes beyond provincial licensing rules. Members also follow board and CREA policies, such as the Cooperation Policy, in effect since January 3, 2024, which requires publicly marketed listings to go on an MLS® System within three days.
The legal protections for consumers, like representation agreements, confidentiality and the complaints process, come from TRESA and RECO and apply to every registered agent, member or not.
Common questions about REALTOR®
Is every real estate agent a REALTOR®?
No. Only members of the Canadian Real Estate Association can use the REALTOR® trademark. Every agent trading in Ontario must be registered with RECO, but CREA membership is a separate choice made through a local board, such as the Ottawa Real Estate Board.
What's the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent in Ontario?
A real estate agent is anyone registered with RECO to trade in real estate; a REALTOR® is a registered agent who is also a CREA member. Members agree to the REALTOR® Code and get access to board MLS® Systems. The legal rules that protect you apply to both.
How do I check if a real estate agent is licensed in Ontario?
Search their name or brokerage on RECO's public register at registrantsearch.reco.on.ca. It shows whether they're registered, which brokerage they work for and any regulatory history. If someone isn't on the register, they can't legally trade in real estate in Ontario.
Does a REALTOR® also have to be registered with RECO?
Yes. CREA membership doesn't replace provincial registration. Anyone trading in real estate in Ontario must be registered with RECO, the provincial regulator, and follow the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002. Those legal duties apply whether or not the agent is a CREA member.
Sources
General information for Ontario, updated October 2026. Not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Rules change, so confirm with your lawyer, lender or the source above before you rely on it.