May Non-REALTOR® Participants in an MLS use Standard NC REALTORS® Forms?
QUESTION: My MLS has transitioned to an open MLS, which means that it now has participants who are not REALTORS®. I recently received an offer on one of my listings from a non-REALTOR® participant, and it was written on the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract (Form 2-T). Are non-REALTOR® participants permitted to use NC REALTORS®’ standard forms? If not, what steps should I take if I learn that a non-REALTOR® participant is likely using a standard form without permission?
ANSWER: Under NC REALTORS®’ Forms Policy and copyright, non-REALTOR® participants in an MLS are not permitted to use NC REALTORS® standard forms. An overview of the Forms Policy can be accessed here.
Generally speaking, the only agents permitted to use the standard forms are REALTORS® both in North Carolina and from other states. Members of the North Carolina State Bar are allowed to use standard forms, but only those that are designated as “transactional” by the addition of a “T” after the form number.
Non-REALTOR® participants receive access to MLS services, however, NC REALTORS®’ standard forms are not part of those services. Standard forms, assistance on the Legal Hotline, and REALTOR® branding and trademarks are among the benefits that are exclusively available to REALTORS®.
If you become aware that an MLS participant, a law firm, or anyone else is using standard forms without permission or violating NC REALTORS®’ Forms Policy, you should send an email to legalhotline@ncrealtors.org. NC REALTORS® will investigate and take it from there. However, please keep in mind that the License Law requires any listing agent to deliver all offers received, regardless of whether a form has been misused or not.
Release Date: 1/8/2026
This article is intended solely for the benefit of NC REALTORS® members, who may reproduce and distribute it to other NC REALTORS® members and their clients, provided it is reproduced in its entirety without any change to its format or content, including disclaimer and copyright notice, and provided that any such reproduction is not intended for monetary gain. Any unauthorized reproduction, use or distribution is prohibited.