Can you find a sponsoring broker online?

Arizona law requires all real estate salespersons to work under a licensed broker, and you can research and contact sponsoring brokers through online searches, networking events, and brokerage interviews. When evaluating potential brokers, ask about commission splits, training programs, mentorship opportunities, lead generation, and desk fees. Brokerages range from traditional in-office models to cloud-based operations, and the license remains in "eligible" status until a broker agrees to supervise and activates it through the ADRE system.

Sources: ADRE — How to Obtain a License; ADRE — Salesperson License.

Yes, agents can find sponsoring brokers online through virtual and cloud-based brokerages that operate in California and allow agents to affiliate remotely. A sponsoring broker supervises the agent's licensed activities and takes responsibility for their actions. Agents must have an active license under a sponsoring broker before performing any licensed real estate activities. When evaluating brokerages, agents should consider training quality, commission structure, fees, lead generation resources, and company culture.

Sources: CA DRE — Salesperson Requirements; CA DRE — Salesperson Exam & License.

Colorado does not require an employing broker to take the state licensing exam, but you must have an employing broker to receive an active real estate license when you submit your broker license application. Until a licensed employing broker agrees to supervise you and submits approval to the state, your license remains inactive. Prospective brokers can research and contact Colorado brokerages through their websites, professional association directories, and networking events to identify a sponsoring broker.

Sources: CO DRE — Broker Applications, Documents and Fees; Colorado DRE — Broker License Application Requirements.

Yes, you can find a sponsoring broker through virtual brokerages that recruit and sponsor agents online. Cloud-based brokerages such as eXp Realty and Real Brokerage operate without physical offices and sponsor agents across all 50 states. Real Brokerage offers an 85/15 commission split with no monthly fees, and after reaching a cap, agents keep 100% of commissions and pay a fixed transaction fee. Florida law requires all agents to work under a sponsoring broker, who activates the license through the DBPR online portal.

Sources: FL DBPR — FREC Education; FL DBPR — RE Education Requirements.

Yes, you can research and identify sponsoring brokers online through brokerage websites and professional networking platforms. The process typically involves researching brokerages in your area, reaching out to multiple brokers, and scheduling interviews to discuss commission structures, training programs, and mentorship opportunities. A sponsoring broker must sign a Sponsoring Broker Statement, which you can present at the PSI testing center to activate your license on the same day you pass the exam.

Sources: GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage); GREC — License Renewal Guide.

Yes, you can find a sponsoring broker online by researching brokerages in your area, contacting several to request interviews, and asking about commission splits, training programs, and mentorship opportunities. Indiana requires every broker to affiliate with a managing broker to hold an active license, but the state does not restrict how a broker finds or selects a sponsoring brokerage.

Sources: Indiana PLA — Real Estate Licensing Information; Pearson VUE — Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook (March 2025).

Yes. You can research and contact Kentucky brokerages online to find a sponsoring broker, which is required to activate your license. You do not need to have a sponsoring broker before taking the state licensing exam, but you must affiliate with a principal broker to practice real estate. Common steps include searching for brokerages in your area, reaching out to several for interviews, and asking about commission splits, training programs, and mentorship before selecting one that fits your career goals.

Sources: KREC — Continuing Education; KREC — License Renewals (Maintain a License).

Prospective agents can research and connect with sponsoring brokerages online. Brokerage types include traditional franchise offices, independent boutiques, and virtual or cloud-based brokerages, each offering different commission structures, training programs, and fee models. Most brokerages expect candidates to interview before joining, and you can begin researching brokerages while completing pre-licensing coursework or after passing the exam. In Maryland, you do not need a sponsoring broker before taking the licensing exam, but you must affiliate with a licensed broker to activate your license.

Sources: MD MREC — Taking the Exam (Real Estate Exam Info); MREC — Licensing FAQs.

In Massachusetts, you can take the licensing exam without first securing a sponsoring broker, but you must affiliate with a licensed Massachusetts broker to activate your license and begin working with clients. Candidates can research and contact brokerages online, attend industry events, seek referrals, and interview potential sponsors to find a brokerage. Commission splits, desk fees, training programs, mentorship, and lead generation are factors to evaluate when choosing a brokerage. Virtual and cloud-based brokerages, traditional franchise brokerages, boutique firms, and team-based operations all offer different fee structures and support levels.

Sources: MA DPL — Real Estate License Fees; Mass.gov — RE License Exam Guide.

Michigan does not require a sponsoring broker before taking the salesperson exam, so you can search for one before or after passing. After passing, you confirm sponsorship in MiPLUS by entering the employing broker's 10-digit license number; the broker then approves the request and the license is issued. Several virtual brokerages operate in Michigan, and licensed Michigan broker companies known as holding companies can hold licenses for salespersons who are not actively practicing, though the state does not maintain a list of these companies.

Sources: MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Individual Broker Licensing Guide; MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Guide.

A sponsoring broker is not required to register for or take the Mississippi licensing exam, but the license cannot be issued or activated until a responsible broker is designated per Mississippi License Law Section 73-35-15(2). Some brokerages, including virtual and cloud-based firms, offer sponsorship arrangements that can be found and completed online, often with flat-fee monthly structures or commission-split models. Commission splits, monthly desk fees, and support levels vary widely by brokerage, so candidates should compare training quality, fee structures, and lead generation when evaluating potential sponsors.

Sources: MREC PSI Candidate Information Bulletin; MREC Rules and Regulations (Rev 02-21-2025).

A sponsoring broker must be identified and must sign Section 7 of the MREC license application before it is submitted, so you need to secure a broker before applying. You can research brokerages online, attend networking events, and reach out to brokers to schedule interviews. When evaluating potential sponsors, ask about commission splits, training programs, mentorship, lead generation, desk fees, and marketing support.

Sources: MO Prof. Registration — RE How-To; MO RE Commission — Application PDF.

You can research and identify potential sponsoring brokers through online searches, brokerage websites, and professional networking platforms. Common steps include searching for brokerages in your area, reaching out to multiple brokers, and scheduling interviews to ask about commission splits, training programs, mentorship, lead generation, and company culture before selecting the best fit. New Hampshire does not require a sponsoring broker to take the licensing exam, but you must affiliate with a broker to activate your license.

Sources: NH OPLC — Real Estate Examination Information; NH OPLC — RE Commission Testing Provider, PSI, Inc..

In New Jersey, you can take the real estate licensing exam without first being hired by a sponsoring broker, but you need one to apply for your license. The NJ DOBI online license search tool lets you verify a potential sponsoring broker's active license status before making contact. Researching brokerages online and reaching out to schedule interviews is the standard approach to finding a sponsor, with most brokerages open to meeting new agents.

Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker; NJ DOBI — Real Estate Licensing and Education Hub.

You can research and contact potential sponsoring brokers online, and the New York Department of State public license search lets you verify any broker's license status before reaching out. A sponsoring broker is required to activate a salesperson license but is not required to register for or take the state exam. Once you pass the exam, you enter the sponsoring broker's license number (UID#) in your eAccessNY application, and the broker must authorize the application online before the Department of State reviews it.

Sources: NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022); NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson.

The NCREC website offers a searchable online database of licensed brokers and firms that can be used to identify potential Broker-in-Charge (BIC) affiliations. In NC, a Provisional Broker must be supervised by a BIC to be on active status, and activation requires both the Provisional Broker and the BIC to file a License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08) with the Commission. The database can be searched by license number, name, city, or county and displays both active and inactive license status.

Sources: NCREC — General Brochure (Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, March 2024); NCREC — Licensing FAQ.

Ohio does not maintain a single online matching service for connecting applicants with sponsoring brokers, but online resources can help. Some local REALTOR® association websites list member brokerages that may offer sponsorship, and Ohio's eLicense License Lookup tool can verify a prospective broker's active license status before committing.

Sources: Ohio REPL — Broker License Requirements; Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.

In Oregon, a broker must be associated with a managing principal broker to conduct professional real estate activity, and the license is not issued until the principal broker adds the pending license to the registered business. You can research potential brokerages through their websites and professional networks, and common interview topics include commission split structure, desk or admin fees, training and mentorship programs, lead generation resources, and company culture. Large franchise brokerages tend to offer structured training but may charge higher fees, while boutique and cloud-based brokerages may offer more flexible commission splits.

Sources: Oregon REA — Get Broker License; Oregon REA — Approved Pre-License Schools.

Pennsylvania requires an employing broker to certify supervision and training before you can apply for a salesperson license, but you may schedule and take the licensing exam without one. Most brokerages expect new agents to interview before joining, and you can research brokerages online through their websites and professional networks. Once you identify an employing broker, that broker must approve your application through their PALS account before you can submit and pay for your license application.

Sources: PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide; PA Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensure Snapshot.

In South Carolina, an associate must be under the supervision of a licensed Broker-in-Charge (BIC) to hold an active license. If an applicant does not have a company to work for and is not under a BIC's supervision, the license is placed on inactive status and the licensee cannot practice real estate. Candidates can research and contact brokerages, including virtual and cloud-based firms, through online channels before or after passing the licensing exam. Once a BIC agrees to provide supervision, the licensee submits a Reactivation of Licensure application to activate the license.

Sources: SC LLR — Real Estate FAQ; SC LLR — Real Estate CE.

DPOR's License Lookup tool lets you verify a potential sponsoring broker's active license status and firm affiliation online. Once a sponsoring broker agrees to supervise you, the activation and transfer processes can both be completed online through DPOR's Online Services.

Sources: VA DPOR — Real Estate Board; VA DPOR — Real Estate Process PDF.

In Washington, the real estate license is issued first, and then a firm invites the licensee to join to activate it. The licensee must log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to accept the firm's invitation, which activates the license. Licensees can research brokerages online, contact multiple firms, and schedule interviews to compare commission splits, training programs, mentorship opportunities, lead generation support, and monthly fees before selecting a firm.

Sources: WA DOL — Managing Broker License; WA DOL — Managing Broker Exam.

Yes, applicants can research and identify sponsoring brokerages through online resources. In Wisconsin, a salesperson can take the state licensing exam before securing a sponsoring broker, but the license cannot be activated until the salesperson is associated with a firm. The DSPS requires Form 812 (Notice of Licensee Association with Firm) to document the affiliation, and brokerages differ in their training programs, commission structures, and fees.

Sources: WI DSPS — Real Estate Salesperson; WI DSPS — Real Estate Broker.