Do you have a choice is you want access to your MLS?

No, run as far away as possible. You might be forced to join in order to do business.

Check with your broker and see if not joining is an option. 

I wish you all the best with your studies.  

In California it is actually illegal (since 1976) to require association membership to access the MLS.  Sadly, most associations don't know this and even fewer agents do.  Residential agents all join up and get forced into the national and state associations as a result.  Commercial agents, by and large, are not members of an association and have their own MLS systems (Costar and Loopnet).

 LOL Lyn Sims 

It depends on what your plan is going forward. Are you an agent? Do you plan to sell real estate? If yes, then you will probably need/want to join a board. I don't know how you can be successful without access to your MLS, training, documentation, etc.

If your plan is only to be an industry observer, save your money. There is a lot of free and low-cost information available to keep you informed.

Bytheway, AR is a good resource for industry information.

In Connecitcut we have to join if we want access to the MLS. Not sure what the rules are in Utah but check with your local MLS. See if it's mandatory; all I know is that if it wasn't mandatory I would not join NAR or CAR- they simply don't offer me anything of value. Our local board offers classes but I don't need them either- I wouldn't need to be a member to go to class there; I see membership with the associations as money wasted. 

Discuss with your broker.

Outside of having to be affiliated with the local Board of Realtors to belong to my local MLS, I don't see any benefit at all.  If you have a choice, try life without it.

Kimberly Bytheway  

Yes! You must join the National Association of Realtors. You will most likely need to join to access your local MLS and besides there are many many benefits to being a Realtor such as training, access to materials that can help your business and a level of professionalism in a business that is constantly under attack. 

It depends.  You may not have a choice if you want access to information and properties.  Study hard, take lots of practice tests and good luck with your state exam. Investigate your career options too.

If you want to work for a broker who is a member then you will need to join.

If you want to be a REALTOR® you should otherwise you will  just be a real estate agent

I don't know about your board, but we have no choice here if our broker belongs, we have to belong

No, but I wouldn't stop you either.

I do not know your goals, hard to advise you.

Kimberly Bytheway It helps to join a board of Realtors.

Yes,  good networking with other realtors and education also.

You will probably need to join to have MLS access. Talk with your broker.

If you are just finishing your pre-licensing course I can’t see many other options for you. It is all dependent upon the broker with whom you affiliate

You should consult with other agents in your area, as well as your broker.  Ultimately it is your decision.  Best wishes to your success!

Our Board of Realtors gives us DocUsign  a legal hot line - zip forms  and so much more ... why would you not want to join ?

Your broker will probably require you to join.

It's a calling and a personal choice.  No one can decide for you as it is an absolutely personal decision.  It is all giving of yourself and your time.  I always appreciate those that work on our behalf for no personal gain.

Go for it. 

if you can do without it initially, go make money!!! then join and earn some designations.... wishing you well with your course...

In our State of Texas we do not have a choice to join the Board of Realtors. If you do not join you do not have access to the MLS system. 

You will have to ask your broker - if it is mandated in order to have MLS access, you will have to...if you want MLS access!

Join and participate

Nina Hollander gave you the perfect answer.  A

If you obtain a real estate license and subsequently associate yourself with a real estate broker, which you must do in order to ply your trade, you may be required to join a board of Realtors. Brokers with whom you interview with explain in more detail.

There are advantages, and their are costs. I'm currently a member because our office decided to join, which mandated we all join as well. Prior to joining, I didn't notice anything missing. If we were to opt out as a company, I'm not sure it would matter that much to my business.  When you decide where you want to work, discuss it with the managing broker.  

Nina Hollander nailed this one!

This is a union shop. 

You will be REQUIRED to join by the broker you choose.

The perception you have a choice will quickly turn bitter in the harsh light of the reality.

I happen to like our local Association of Realtors. They do provide good services to us,

I think you've been scolded quite enough....

A better question is do you have an option in your area in order to access the MLS? Problem is some Realtor Boards are quite good, and others are terrible. FInd out what you can now!

Yes, for the Realtor Christmas party.

My answer would be yes.  Joining the board and MLS system gives you the opportunity to insert your listings for sale as well as send buyers listings.  Clients can be saved and automatically informed when a new listing is available.  Gives you access to homes and you will be compensated for your sale. Plus it is required of your brokerage. 

That decision is yours alone.

If you join a brokerage that belongs to a Board of REALTORS, you have no choice.

   The only things you need from a Board are

   MLS

   Lockbox Key

   Standard Forms

  and maybe Training.

    If you can get those things without joining a Board, save your money!

To participate actively.

Well any MLS I have seen is run throught the local board and most Brokers will require it

I do think you won’t have a choice in that so suggest you join and become envolved and engaged and use the tools offered and make connections. 

Yes

Yes because you probably don't have a choice if you want to function as an agent, regrettably. It should not be mandatory, but it is and smacks of illegality to me.

Realtor world is a pay to play world... depends on how much you want to "play."

If your sponsoring broker belongs, you need to belong also. And, it is the pathway to the MLS.

In our market, you can't have access to the MLS without a board membership. 

Your call.  But, I would recommend it.

Odd that so many others say "no".  Maybe Denver has more to offer locally?

If you are determined to be a full time successful professional... defiantly join!   Board Membership is the most important tools you can have in your tool box.  When I first started, I took every class and downloaded everything  that was offered with my membership.  This provided me Real Estate facts that was recent and related to my area.   Today, (10 years later) I spent several hours downloading and studing the Real Estate Trends that is provided by the NAR membership.   There are several yearly classes that I still need, ie; local issues, local economic forecast and market statistics.  You will learn real life examples of the legal Do’s and Don’ts.  Years later, if you continue in this career, you will remember something you learned and be able to use it to protect your client-or yourself!

To be successful in this business you will need to eat, sleep and breathe Real Estate.  Why wouldn’t you surround yourself with others that do the same?  “Birds of a feather flock together”