Branding Guidelines – Dos and Don’ts of Using Your HAC Membership Badge

1. Eligibility for Use

To use the Housing Advocate Certification Program mark or badge, individuals must:

• Be a licensed real estate agent in good standing
• Have successfully completed the HAC training course and have passed the test
• Agree to and abide by these Terms and Conditions
• For Brokerages only:
  • The office must have at least 25 licensed agents
  • The managing broker must be a HAC Program member
  • 25-49 agents: 65% of licensed agents must be members
  • 50-99 agents: 55% must be members OR submit a 60-day plan to reach 65%
  • 100-199 agents: 50% must be members OR request approval for a designated pilot group
  • 200+ agents: EITHER 40% of all agents are members OR submit a request to become members for a clearly defined designated group (e.g., office, team, department). Badge use is limited to that group until broader membership is achieved
  • If the office drops below the threshold, a 30-day re-evaluation period may be granted to return to compliance
  • The managing broker remains the point of accountability for all membership requirements and must submit a current roster of licensed agents at the time of sign up and changes in the roster
  • Brokerages and their agents must comply with all federal, state, and local fair housing and anti-discrimination laws. Any violations, including those unrelated to badge use, may result in revocation of membership

2. License Grant

Member individuals and brokerages are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the HAC badge solely for individual promotional purposes and to indicate membership in the HAC Program, in accordance with these Terms.

For brokerages, this agreement applies only to the member office location. If the office splits, merges, reorganizes, relocates, or restructures, membership status must be re-evaluated, and a new application submitted. The license is limited to the office or place of business with which a member’s membership is associated, which is indicated in a member’s membership record.

3. Permitted Uses

Agents may use the HAC badge:

• On personal business cards
• In email signatures
• On personal social media and digital bios (with appropriate messaging consistent with these Terms)
• On listing flyers, provided it clearly reflects the agent is a member, not that the listing is certified in any way
• In speaker bios or event materials with appropriate messaging consistent with these Terms
• On flyers or graphics using approved templates or after obtaining review/approval
• For Brokerages only:
  • Brokerages may use the HAC badge on materials representing the member office only, including office-specific recruiting materials, marketing campaigns, digital ads, local event banners, and social media posts
  • Non-members of the brokerage may NOT use the HAC badge on their personal marketing materials

4. Prohibited Uses

Agents may not:

• Imply a listing, team, or brokerage is a part of the HAC Program unless expressly authorized
• Co-brand materials with non-HAC member professionals without express approval, see Section 5 for how to obtain approval
• Modify, distort, or recreate the badge
• Use the badge in paid advertisements or press without written approval
• Use the badge in ways that suggest endorsement by NAF Promise, Inc., NAF, Black Impact, or any listing
• Use the badge as a dominant graphic or as the sole headline
• Share the badge or marketing material templates with non-members for non-member use
• For Brokerages only:
  • The HAC badge may not be used in company-wide branding unless the required percentage is met company-wide
  • The badge may not appear next to non-member agents or listings not managed by member staff
  • Brokerages may not co-brand with non-member professionals using the HAC mark without express approval, see Section 5 for how to obtain approval
  • The HAC badge may not be used in recruitment to suggest racial preference, exclusivity, or quota-based hiring. All recruiting materials must be non-discriminatory and legally compliant
  • The HAC badge may not be used in materials that promote non-member offices or agents

5. Co-Branding & Event Use

All co-branded or event-related uses of the HAC badge must be submitted for prior review.

• Submit to: nafblackimpact@nafinc.com
• Allow 5-7 business days for response
• Co-branded usage is only permitted with non-HAC Program members with express approval, see Section 5 for how to obtain approval

6. Revocation of Rights

NAF Black Impact reserves the right to suspend or revoke badge usage at any time, including (but not limited to) cases involving:

• Loss of real estate licensure or good standing
• Misrepresentation of membership or role
• Use of badge in violation of brand or co-branding rules
• Conduct inconsistent with the values of NAF Promise, Inc. and Black Impact (authenticity, accountability, cultural awareness)
• Engaging in discriminatory, unethical, or predatory behavior
• Violations of state or federal laws
• Misrepresentation of services or misuse of the badge in public-facing materials
• Repeated failure to comply with marketing guidelines
• Distribution of materials to non-members
• Violation of these Terms

7. Membership Status Verification

NAF Black Impact reserves the right to publicly verify or confirm membership status to consumers, partners, or interested parties in the interest of transparency and brand protection.

8. Misuse Reporting

Suspected misuse of the HAC badge may be reported to nafblackimpact@nafinc.com. Reports will be reviewed and responded to at the discretion of NAF Black Impact.

9. Badge Retirement

If the HAC badge is rebranded or retired, agents will receive 30 days' notice to discontinue use of outdated versions. Updated assets will be provided, and legacy usage guidelines may apply.

10. Digital Environment Guidelines

Badge use on websites, email, and social platforms must:

• Follow approved layout and language in the Connective Marketing Guide
• Not create clickable links that imply sponsorship of unrelated services
• Be visually placed near agent name, photo, or footer-never as a dominant brand mark

11. Changes to Terms

NAF Black Impact may update these Terms at any time. Changes will be communicated by email and/or through the HAC portal. Continued badge or asset materials use after updates implies acceptance.

12. Limitations on Use of Outside of Real Estate Services

Use of the badge in connection with any unrelated business or brand is strictly prohibited, including but not limited to:

• Credit repair or financial services
• Real estate or business coaching
• Paid speaking engagements or workshops not affiliated with or approved by NAF Promise, Inc. and NAF Black Impact
• Branding materials or ventures unrelated to the agent’s real estate practice

Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis but must be requested in writing and approved in advance by NAF Black Impact. Submit requests to nafblackimpact@nafinc.com, allowing 5-7 business days for review.

13. Compliance with Real Estate Licensing Laws and Advertising Standards

Member agents and brokerages must ensure that all usage of the HAC badge-including marketing materials, digital content, and printed collateral-is compliant with the rules and regulations set forth by their state's real estate licensing division or governing body.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• Proper disclosure of licensure and brokerage affiliation
• Inclusion of required license numbers or brokerage details where applicable
• Adherence to state-specific advertising laws and ethical guidelines
• Avoiding any claims or visuals that could be interpreted as misleading or deceptive

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, including revocation of membership.

14. Termination by Agent

Member agents may voluntarily terminate their license to use the HAC badge by submitting a written request to nafblackimpact@nafinc.com. Upon termination, the agent must immediately cease all use of the badge and remove it from all digital and printed materials.

15. No Transfer or Assignment

Membership and the right to use the HAC badge are granted to the individual agent or brokerage only and may not be transferred, sublicensed, or assigned to any other person, team, brokerage, or entity.

16. Non-Compliance Consequences

If an agent fails to comply with these Terms, NAF Black Impact may take any or all of the following actions:

• Issue a written warning or cease-and-desist
• Revoke membership without refund
• Publicly update the status of the agent as "inactive" or "not in good standing"
• Notify the agent's brokerage or state licensing authority (if appropriate)

17. Public Use & Media Policy

Member agents and brokerages must obtain prior written approval before using the HAC badge, HAC Program membership, NAF Promise, Inc., or the NAF Black Impact name in any public-facing media or promotional channels beyond standard real estate marketing. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Press releases
• Media interviews (print, podcast, radio, television, etc.)
• Book publications or speaking tours
• Collaborations with influencers, content creators, or brand partnerships
• Social media campaigns or posts that appear sponsored or monetized

Requests and questions should be submitted to nafblackimpact@nafinc.com with relevant context and draft materials. Please allow 5-7 business days for review. Unauthorized use may result in disciplinary action, including revocation of membership.

NAF Black Impact and NAF Promise, Inc. reserve the right to revoke HAC Program membership if the office or any of its agents engage in unethical, discriminatory, or unlawful behavior inconsistent with the values of the program-even if the issue is unrelated to badge usage.