This course is designed to provide training in the professional standards required for arbitration and ethics complaint proceedings, in the preparation and etiquette expected of hearing panel members, and in the procedures for conducting a hearing. The role of the hearing panel in arbitration and ethics hearings is also explained.

This course is divided into three chapters:

• Regional Professional Standards Training
• Professional Standards Hearing Panel Preparation and Etiquette
• Professional Standards Hearing Panel

The objectives of this course are:

• To identify the Association committees responsible for handling arbitration and ethics complaint proceedings
• To explain the means by which the Association is authorized to conduct arbitration and ethics complaint proceedings
• To discuss possible penalties that can be imposed on REALTORS® and MLS members for ethics violations
• To provide an overview of how arbitration proceedings are conducted
• To provide an overview of the responsibilities of arbitrators
• To explain the need for parallel hearings and how they are handled
• To identify reference materials that contain guidelines for handling ethics violations
• To explain processes through which an early resolution of an ethics or arbitration matter can be achieved
• To explain the need for confidentiality in professional standards matters
• To identify actions that merit a disciplinary proceeding
• To identify possible forms of discipline that may result from a disciplinary proceeding
• To explain the need for due process in disciplinary proceedings
• To explain the procedure for filing an ethics complaint
• To explain the preparation expected of a panel member before a hearing
• To detail the etiquette expected of a panel member before, during, and after a hearing
• To detail behavior that should be avoided by a hearing panel member
• To explain proper procedure for conducting an executive session of the hearing panel
• To explain how a hearing panel is selected
• To explain the roles of hearing panel members
• To discuss the need for objectivity in a hearing
• To identify the parties' rights in hearing proceedings
• To explain the procedure for withdrawing a complaint
• To explain the procedure for amending a complaint
• To provide procedural guidelines in the event a hearing participant fails to appear
• To explain the role of counsel in a hearing
• To identify the people and nature of the activity permitted in a hearing room
• To explain the procedure for granting a continuance of a hearing
• To identify the type of evidence allowable in a hearing
• To detail the steps in conducting a hearing
• To explain the process for petitioning a rehearing
• To differentiate the nature of the decisions rendered by arbitration and ethics hearing panels
• To explain the circumstances under which an arbitration can be declined or waived