Raleigh, NC – November 16, 2020 – The Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) has ratified its updated technical specifications for RESO Dictionary 1.7 and RESO Web API 1.0.2 Core, effective November 10, 2020.
Multiple listing services (MLSs), technology companies and real estate brokerages can now be certified on these updated standards. Certifications for both Data Dictionary and Web API will be granted simultaneously to an MLS upon passage of a Data Dictionary implementation via an MLS’s certified Web API server.
“This is a defining moment for RESO standards,” said RESO Chair and MRED CEO, Rebecca Jensen. “RESO has moved certifications from a stair-step approach to a single standard. All certified technology going forward will conform to the same standard and ‘speak the same language.’ RESO’s workgroups and board can be proud of this achievement that culminates 20 years of their work.”
RESO CEO Sam DeBord explained the path forward: “Technology is in a constant state of change, and these new standards will keep organizations on pace with their industry counterparts. We have work to do, but the efficiency gains are well worth it. RESO will diligently support our technology partners to guide you through this process.”
About RESO Certification
RESO displays information about certified organizations in three places on its website: as part of a certification map, in a definitive list and in a list of organizations that are noncompliant.
Updated specification documentation is now available on RESO’s website. All testing will be performed on the new RESO Commander certification software stack. Members are encouraged to reach out to RESO staff to access these tools for their own pre-testing purposes prior to certification.
Certifications expire when the awarded certification is older than the two most recent versions of a specific standard. Older but still recognized RESO standards certifications are classified as “Certified Legacy” and those which are certified on the most recently ratified standards are called “Certified Current.”
Policy Requirements for REALTOR® MLSs
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) policy dictates that MLSs owned and operated by REALTOR® organizations must be in compliance with RESO’s most recently ratified standards within 12 months of RESO ratification.
A recent NAR policy update also requires REALTOR® MLSs’ Web API services to include all fields available in their RETS, FTP, or other data access services. These fields must be delivered in conformance with RESO Data Dictionary standards.
REALTOR® MLSs should engage their vendors in planning for these upgrades to their systems immediately. Conformance with Web API 1.0.2 Core and Data Dictionary 1.7 are required by November 10, 2021.
The New Certification Model: Core + Endorsements
The traditional metallic levels of certification (i.e., Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) are being folded into a single new standard for both Data Dictionary and Web API. Data Dictionary offers a single certification for each Dictionary version (1.6, 1.7, etc.). For Web API, the new standard is “Core”. This Web API 1.0.2 Core of server capabilities will ensure a baseline of interoperability between systems.
Additional “Endorsements” will be available on a case-by-case basis as a means to promote extra capabilities.
Data Dictionary endorsement examples can include features like:
- IDX Payload for broker reciprocity
- BBO (Broker Back Office) Payload
- JSON Data Dictionary endorsement for non-MLS organizations.
Web API endorsements can include capabilities such as:
- Expandability ($expand server support)
- Web API Listing Update, part of the industry’s “front end of choice” efforts
“The benefit of the new Core + Endorsements model is a stable standard foundation that also allows flexibility and agile growth into new arenas,” said Josh Darnell, RESO’s Chief Architect. “Data consumers will be able to access any server in any market with a common set of capabilities, while data producers are supported in a wide variety of additional standard features they may want to add to serve their customers.”
“We are providing RESO Commander walkthroughs to acclimate technical personnel with the new testing tools,” said Darnell. “The new certification process will be more streamlined, automated and transparent for applicants going forward.”
Key Updates to Standards Specifications and Testing Rules:
- Standardization of LookupValues for enumerations (picklists) will align Data Dictionary with the RESO Web API Transport specification.
- Items that are necessary for technical implementations such as Keys and ModificationTimestamps must be present in certified data sets. RESO will sample data from certified systems, and a lack of data in these fields is cause for potential revocation of certification.
- Certifications will require fully compliant metadata. RESO Resources, Fields and Enumerations must follow RESO standard names and data types. RESO will run data sampling on these servers to produce field and data availability reports. Those reports will be displayed alongside RESO certifications.
- More in-depth details on 2020 RESO certification updates
Please contact RESO’s development staff for information about RESO’s testing tools for questions on the certification process.
