Each year, the National Association of Realtors® hosts its Leadership Academy to identify, inspire and mentor emerging leaders from the local and state level. The 2026 application is now open. Apply Now.
Applications opened on Nov. 4, 2024, and close on Feb. 13, 2025.
About
Leadership Academy participants will have the opportunity to develop, enhance, and hone their leadership skills and competencies. The program will allow future leaders to experience multiple facets of leadership and define their leadership style along the way. Leadership Academy participants will also learn the history, structure, and inner-workings of NAR leadership.
Session Overview
The NAR Leadership Academy program includes eight sessions containing both interactive online and in-person experiences. Sessions will be self-paced and extend over a three-week period. The estimated time per session is three hours or approximately one hour per week (excluding in-person meetings). Participants will also be required to complete a Capstone Project. In addition, special guests will host live online “office hours” to enhance session topics and answer questions. Attendance and participation for the “office hours” are optional, but recommended. Participants will have also have exclusive access to a library of 600+ micro-videos featuring over 40 nationally recognized leaders in the industry.
Financial Commitment
NAR Leadership Academy participants are expected to pay a $1,000 tuition fee. An invoice for this fee will be sent upon acceptance to the program. Payment is due upon receipt. NAR will accept tuition payments for 30 days from the date of the invoice.
NAR covers all course materials, hotel expenses, and U.S. domestic economy class flights for the January and August Sessions. Academy participants are responsible for their own travel expenses to attend the May Session, REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, and the November Session, REALTORS® Conference and Expo.
Who Should Apply?
Realtor® members who have leadership experience at the local and/or state level, but have not yet been actively involved at the national level, should apply to the Leadership Academy. The academy is focused on developing participants’ institutional, industry, and association knowledge.
Realtor® members with demonstrated leadership abilities, and who are passionate about the industry and the issues, are encouraged to apply. Applicants often possess formal training from a local or state Realtor® association, a JD, MBA, community or military leadership program(s); in lieu of formal training, be prepared to describe an incident or activity that had the most impact on your development as a leader. Consideration also will be given to applicants who demonstrate an ability to contribute to diversity based on age, gender, ethnicity, geography, specialty, etc.
You may be overqualified if you:
- Serve(d) as chairman on two or more NAR committees
- Serve(d) as past or present NAR RVP
- Currently are a member of the executive committee
- Are a past or current member of the NAR Leadership Team or Extended Leadership Team
- Are a past or current NAR committee liaison
Selection Process
The Academy is selected through a committee process by the NAR Leadership Academy Advisory Group. This group reports to the Leadership Team. Selected interviews will be conducted by the Advisory Group during the Realtors® Legislative Meetings & Expo in May 2025 in Washington, D.C. Applicants will be notified in mid-August 2025.
NJ Realtors® Endorsement
Following this step, a committee for NJ Realtors® reviews the resumes of potential participants from New Jersey and selects one member from the state to endorse for the program. The endorsement does not guarantee acceptance into the Leadership Academy, however, NAR takes it under serious consideration. If NAR selects the NJ Realtors®-endorsed candidate, the state association will cover the cost of tuition and some other expenses not covered by NAR to attend the meetings.
