Association History

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. The Association develops and promotes programs and services that will enhance the members' freedom and ability to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and competency and, through collective action, promotes the preservation of real property rights.

In an effort to alleviate perceptions of misconduct in the real estate industry, a group of approximately 70 real estate agents founded the California State Realty Federation in Los Angeles on May 27, 1905. In October 1920, the name was changed to California Real Estate Association and, in January 1975, it was changed to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Francis F. Ferrier, of Berkeley, was the first president of the Association, which then was comprised of nine Boards of REALTORS®. Although the organization was successful from the start, growth in membership was slow during the early years. After many attempts, the Association was successful in its sponsorship of a real estate license law in 1917. This first law was declared unconstitutional, but a revised act was passed by the 1919 Legislature and became the first real estate license law in the United States. Since its enactment, the law has been widely imitated and has become the standard for other states. Written examinations for licensees were not adopted until about 1923.

More recently, the Association has emphasized the development and distribution of products, programs and services which assist members to achieve success in their individual real estate businesses, while continuing to be the premiere representative of private property rights and of real estate professionals in the public policy arena.

Today, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® includes more than 110 local member Associations and more than 155,000 REALTORS®, REALTOR®-Associates and affiliate members who abide by a rigid code of professional ethics.

Last Updated: February 5, 2014