agency

salesperson

A salesperson is a person licensed to perform real estate activities, such as listing and selling property, only under the supervision of a licensed broker. The salesperson cannot work independently, cannot hold client funds in their own name, and is paid only through the sponsoring broker. Listings and buyer agreements normally belong to the broker, not the salesperson. License titles and requirements vary by state.

Exam tip: Key trap: a salesperson cannot accept compensation from anyone other than their employing or sponsoring broker, and listings belong to the broker.
Example: A salesperson closes a sale, and the cooperating broker sends the commission check to the salesperson's broker, who then pays the salesperson's share.

1. A mortgage lender offers a salesperson $200 for every client referred. Under RESPA this is:

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. RESPA prohibits kickbacks and unearned referral fees between settlement service providers and real estate licensees, even if disclosed.

Related terms & state variants

associate broker broker commission split independent contractor sponsoring broker

Sources

Source verification pending. Confirm current requirements with your state regulator.

Last verified: 2026-10-23