Realtors vs Real Estate Agents

Before I became involved in real estate I often wondered about the difference between realtors vs real estate agents.  It's a little confusing, so let me do my best to clarify.

Realtors -  A real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is licensed to use the Realtor logo and has received training beyond state requirements for becoming a sales agent. As a member of NAR a Realtor pledges to adhere to a strict code of ethics, which includes, but is not limited to, acting at all times with honesty and integrity. Realtors make a commitment to refrain from misrepresentation, exaggeration, and concealment of the facts, and to treat all parties with respect.

Real Estate Agent - As a prerequisite for selling or buying real estate on behalf of a customer, a person must be licensed as a real estate agent and work under a broker.  Requirements vary by state, but essentially a person must complete a certain number of educational hours in addition to passing a national and state test to become a real estate agent. In the state of Idaho all real estate agents and brokers must be registered with Idaho Real Estate Commission or IREC. You can look up a real estate agent or broker on the Idaho Real Estate Commission License Lookup system.