Can an unlicensed real estate agent earn or collect a commission?
No. Commissions for licensed activity must be paid through a licensed broker, so an unlicensed person cannot lawfully earn or collect one. In Texas, for example, all commissions must be paid through the agent's sponsoring broker under the Texas Real Estate License Act, Section 1101.651(b), and a business entity that receives compensation on behalf of a license holder must itself be licensed as a broker.
New York Real Property Law prohibits brokers from sharing commissions with unlicensed individuals. Only licensed salespersons and brokers may earn compensation for real estate brokerage activities. A salesperson receives compensation through their sponsoring broker, who supervises the transaction.
Sources: NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022); NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson.