What is the difference between a real estate salesperson and a real estate agent?

The two terms describe the same licensed professional: the entry-level licensee, who must work with a real estate broker and cannot practice independently. Some states use salesperson as the official license title, while agent is the common everyday term for the same role. A few states, including Colorado, Illinois, Washington, and North Carolina, license everyone at the broker level instead of issuing a salesperson license.

In common usage, "real estate salesperson" and "real estate agent" refer to the same role: a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent properties and must work under a licensed broker. The Alabama Real Estate Commission uses "salesperson" as its license category for this role, requiring 60 hours of prelicense education and a passing exam score of 70%. Brokers hold a separate license that allows them to manage their own businesses independently, while salespersons and agents must work under a broker. A REALTOR® is a further distinction: a licensed agent or broker who joins the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to follow NAR's Code of Ethics.

In Alaska, the official license category is "salesperson," while "real estate agent" is a common informal term for the same role. Both refer to a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent property and must work under a licensed broker. The Alaska Real Estate Commission's licensing pages and forms use "salesperson." A "REALTOR®" is a separate designation for a licensed agent or broker who joins the National Association of REALTORS® and follows its Code of Ethics.

In Arizona, the term salesperson is the statutory designation the Arizona Department of Real Estate uses for a licensed real estate professional who works under a sponsoring broker, while real estate agent is the common everyday term for the same role. Both refer to a licensed professional who facilitates property transactions between buyers and sellers but cannot practice independently. A salesperson must be associated with a licensed broker to perform licensed real estate services.

In Arkansas, the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) issues a salesperson license as the entry-level real estate credential under A.C.A. §17-42-303. The term "real estate agent" does not appear as a distinct license category in Arkansas law; rather, it is a general term commonly used to describe any licensed individual who assists clients with buying, selling, or renting property. A salesperson applicant must be at least 18 years old and complete 60 classroom hours of pre-licensing education, 30 of which must cover basic principles of real estate.

In California, "real estate salesperson" is the official licensing term used by the Department of Real Estate for the entry-level license that authorizes an individual to conduct licensed real estate activities under the supervision of a licensed broker. "Real estate agent" is a general, informal term that refers to the same role and is not a separate license category. A salesperson without a responsible broker may not perform acts requiring a real estate license.

Colorado does not issue a separate salesperson license. All real estate professionals in Colorado are licensed as brokers, though "agent" remains the common conversational term. The entry-level credential is the Associate Broker (FA), which is for those with less than two years of active broker experience and requires working under the supervision of an employing broker.

In Connecticut, real estate salesperson is the official license designation used by the Department of Consumer Protection for what is commonly called a real estate agent. Both terms refer to a licensed professional who must work under the supervision of a licensed broker and who has completed 60 hours of pre-licensing education and passed the state exam. The term real estate agent is a general industry label, while salesperson is the statutory title the state uses in its licensing records and applications.

In Delaware, "real estate salesperson" is the official license term used by the Delaware Real Estate Commission, while "real estate agent" is a general, informal term for the same role. Both refer to a licensed professional who must work under a broker and cannot practice independently. The Delaware Real Estate Commission issues salesperson licenses to individuals who complete 99 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the Pearson VUE exam, and secure a sponsoring broker. The term "agent" is not a separate license category in Delaware.

In the District of Columbia, the Real Estate Commission issues a salesperson license, while the term real estate agent is used more broadly in everyday language and by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which classifies the occupation as real estate sales agents. Both terms refer to the same professional role: a licensee who facilitates real estate transactions under a broker's supervision. DC requires salesperson applicants to complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved provider and pass both the national and state portions of the licensing exam.

In Florida, the statutory license title is sales associate, defined in Section 475.01(1)(a) as a person who performs brokerage activities under the direction, control, or management of another person. The terms salesperson and real estate agent are generic designations used nationally and on the Pearson VUE exam title to describe the same role. Florida does not issue separate licenses under those names; the sales associate license is the state's entry-level credential.

In Georgia, a salesperson is the license category the Real Estate Commission assigns to an individual who conducts real estate brokerage under a broker's supervision. Real estate agent is a broader, informal term for the same occupation and is not a distinct license type under Georgia law. An active salesperson must work under a single Georgia broker and may not hold licenses with multiple brokers simultaneously.

In Hawaii, "real estate salesperson" is the statutory term for the entry-level real estate license, while "real estate agent" is the common everyday term for the same role. Both refer to a licensed professional who must work under a sponsoring broker to perform real estate services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses "real estate sales agent" as the occupational title for this same position.

In Idaho, "real estate salesperson" is the official license title, while "real estate agent" is the common or colloquial term for the same role. A salesperson is licensed to act on behalf of a broker and may not practice real estate independently. The two terms refer to the same licensed professional who must work under the supervision of an active broker to list or sell real estate.

Illinois does not issue a "salesperson" or "agent" license. The entry-level real estate license in Illinois is the broker license, which allows the licensee to conduct the business of buying and selling real estate under the sponsorship of a managing broker. The only license categories under the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 are broker, managing broker, and residential leasing agent.

Indiana does not issue a separate salesperson license. All real estate licensees in Indiana are licensed as brokers, including those just starting their careers, so individuals who would be classified as salespersons in other states begin as brokers in Indiana. The term "real estate agent" is a general description of a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent property, while "broker" is the official license designation used in Indiana.

In Iowa, "real estate salesperson" is the official license title issued under Iowa Code Chapter 543B, while "real estate agent" is a common industry term for the same role. There is no separate "agent" license category. Both terms refer to a licensed professional who assists clients with buying, selling, or renting properties and must work under the supervision of a licensed sponsoring broker.

In Kansas, "real estate salesperson" is the statutory license type, while "real estate agent" is a generic term for any licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent real estate. Kansas does not issue a separate "agent" license; the salesperson license is the entry-level credential, and the broker license is the advanced credential. A salesperson must affiliate with a supervising broker who holds a Kansas real estate license, while a broker has completed additional education and experience requirements and may work independently or supervise salespersons.

In Kentucky, "sales associate" is the official license title used by the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) for the role commonly called a "real estate agent." The two terms refer to the same position: a licensed professional who must be affiliated with a broker to practice real estate. KREC regulates two license types, sales associates and brokers, and sales associates must work under a sponsoring broker rather than operating independently.

A real estate salesperson is the official license type used by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) for individuals licensed to facilitate real estate transactions under a broker's supervision. The term real estate agent is a generic, informal name for any licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent property. In Louisiana, both terms refer to the same role: salesperson is the designation used in state law, and agent is the term most people use in everyday conversation.

In common usage, the terms real estate salesperson and real estate agent refer to the same role: a licensed individual who helps clients buy, sell, or rent real estate while working under a broker's supervision. Maine uses the term Sales Agent for its entry-level license, which is non-renewable and valid for 2 years. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook notes that the Maine Associate Broker is equivalent to a salesperson in other states or jurisdictions, meaning Maine adds an entry-level tier below what most states call a salesperson.

In Maryland, real estate salesperson is the statutory term used in state licensing law for the role commonly known as a real estate agent. Both terms describe a licensed individual who helps clients buy, sell, or rent real estate and must work under the authority of a licensed broker. The Maryland Real Estate Commission issues the salesperson license, which is a statewide license that allows the holder to provide brokerage services when affiliated with a licensed broker.

In Massachusetts, "real estate agent" is a general term that commonly refers to a licensed real estate salesperson. Every agent must begin as a salesperson, who must be affiliated with a broker, either as an employee or as an independent contractor, and work under the broker's supervision. A salesperson cannot operate an independent real estate business and has no authority or control over escrow funds; any deposit a salesperson accepts must be turned over to the broker.

In Michigan, "real estate salesperson" is the official statutory title for what is commonly called a "real estate agent." The Michigan Occupational Code licenses individuals as salespersons, not agents, and the two terms describe the same role: a licensee who works under a licensed broker to help clients buy, sell, or rent real estate for compensation. The salesperson license requires 40 hours of prelicensure education, passing the PSI exam, and sponsorship by a licensed broker.

In Minnesota, a real estate salesperson is the statutory license category established in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 82 for the role commonly referred to as a real estate agent. Both terms describe the same professional, who must be associated with a licensed broker and cannot practice independently.

In Mississippi, "real estate salesperson" is the statutory term defined in Section 73-35-3(5) as any person employed by, or associated as an independent contractor with, a licensed real estate broker. "Real estate agent" is a generic, non-statutory term commonly used to describe the same role. Both terms refer to a licensed professional who must work under the supervision of a broker and cannot conduct real estate business independently.

In Missouri, "real estate salesperson" and "real estate agent" refer to the same license type. A salesperson, commonly called an agent, is licensed to work under a supervising broker and cannot operate independently. The Missouri Real Estate Commission issues the salesperson license, and the agent must be affiliated with a broker who holds the license and supervises their activities.

In Montana, "Real Estate Salesperson" is the official license title for what is commonly called a real estate agent. The Montana Board of Realty Regulation issues this license to individuals who have met the state's education, exam, and sponsorship requirements. A salesperson must work under a licensed broker with a supervising broker endorsement and cannot practice real estate independently.

In Nebraska, the Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) issues two license types: a salesperson's license and a broker's license. A salesperson must be employed by and under the direct supervision of a licensed broker, while a broker can work independently or as an associate broker under another licensed broker. "Real estate agent" is a general term for any licensed real estate professional; in Nebraska, a newly licensed agent typically holds a salesperson's license. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics uses "real estate sales agents" to describe licensees who work under a broker's supervision and "real estate brokers" for those who can operate independently.

In New Hampshire, the Real Estate Commission issues a license type called Salesperson. The term real estate agent is an informal name for the same role, used nationally to describe licensed professionals who help buyers and sellers with property transactions. Both a salesperson and a real estate agent must work under a sponsoring broker and cannot practice independently. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the term real estate sales agents for this occupation nationally.

In New Jersey, the Real Estate Commission issues a salesperson license as the entry-level credential for individuals who facilitate property transactions under a sponsoring broker. The term real estate agent is a general, informal label for anyone licensed to help clients buy, sell, or rent properties; in New Jersey, that person holds a salesperson license. A salesperson must work under a sponsoring broker and cannot operate independently.

New Mexico does not issue a separate real estate salesperson license. The New Mexico Real Estate Commission issues two types of broker licenses: associate broker and qualifying broker, both only to individuals. The term "real estate agent" generally refers to someone licensed to help clients buy, sell, or rent property who must work under a supervising broker, and in New Mexico this role is filled by the associate broker. In states that offer a salesperson license, it typically serves as the entry-level credential, but New Mexico uses the associate broker designation for its entry-level licensees instead.

"Real estate salesperson" is the statutory license title in New York for a person who lists and negotiates the sale, lease, or rental of real property under a broker's supervision. "Real estate agent" is a general industry term that refers to the same role. In New York, a salesperson cannot operate independently and must work under a sponsoring broker.

North Carolina uses a broker-only licensing system with no salesperson license category. Real estate agent is a blanket term used generically to describe anyone licensed to help buy, sell, or rent real estate. In North Carolina, every licensee is a broker, and the entry-level license status is called Provisional Broker, which requires supervision by a Broker-in-Charge until 90 hours of postlicensing education are completed.

In Ohio, "real estate salesperson" is the statutory term for the entry-level license issued by the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. "Real estate agent" is a general, informal term used broadly to describe the same licensed professional. Both refer to a licensee who must complete 100 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the state and national exam portions with a score of 70, and work under a sponsoring broker.

In Oklahoma, the entry-level license type is called "Provisional Sales Associate" or "Sales Associate," and the licensing exam is referred to as the "Salesperson Exam." The term "real estate agent" is a general industry term for anyone licensed to help clients buy, sell, or rent property. In Oklahoma, these terms refer to the same role: a licensee who works under a sponsoring broker and earns a portion of the commission from each transaction.

Oregon does not have a salesperson license type. The entry-level real estate license in Oregon is called a broker license. The term real estate agent is a general description for any licensed professional who helps people buy and sell real estate, not a specific license category in Oregon. A licensed broker can conduct professional real estate activity while associated with and supervised by a managing principal broker.

In Pennsylvania, the licensed professional who helps buyers and sellers with real estate transactions is formally called a salesperson. This person works under a licensed broker to list, sell, buy, lease, or collect rent for real estate. The phrase real estate agent is the common term for the same role and the same license.

In Rhode Island, "real estate salesperson" is the official license classification issued by the Department of Business Regulation, while "real estate agent" is a generic term used to describe anyone licensed to help buy and sell real estate. A salesperson must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice independently. The two terms refer to the same role in common usage, but "salesperson" is the designation that appears on the license and in state law under RIGL 5-20-5.

In South Carolina, a "real estate salesperson" and a "real estate agent" refer to the same license classification. The 2024 Real Estate Practice Act (Act No. 204, effective May 21, 2024) changed the statutory term from "salesperson" to "associate" throughout state law. An associate is an entry-level licensee who must work under the supervision of a broker-in-charge and may not practice real estate independently.

In most states, the entry-level real estate license is called a salesperson license, and the terms salesperson and real estate agent are used interchangeably for the same role: a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent property and must work under a broker. Tennessee uses a different label for this position, calling it an affiliate broker rather than a salesperson. Brokers hold a higher-level license that allows them to work independently and supervise agents.

In Texas, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) uses the statutory term sales agent to describe a person licensed to act on behalf of a real estate broker. The terms commonly used in everyday conversation, such as real estate agent or real estate salesperson, refer to the same licensed role. A sales agent must be sponsored by a licensed broker to perform any act of real estate brokerage and may not accept compensation from anyone other than the sponsoring broker.

In Utah, "Real Estate Sales Agent" is the official license title used by the Utah Division of Real Estate, while "salesperson" and "agent" are common alternative terms for the same license level. A sales agent helps clients buy, sell, or rent properties and must work under the supervision of a licensed broker. The distinction that matters in Utah licensing is between a sales agent, who works under a broker, and a broker, who has additional education and experience requirements and can work independently or supervise agents.

In Vermont, "real estate salesperson" is the official statutory license type, while "real estate agent" is a generic, informal term for someone who holds a real estate license and represents clients in transactions. Vermont law and the administrative rules use "salesperson" to refer to the entry-level license that requires a 40-hour pre-licensing course, exam passage, and affiliation with a principal broker. The two terms refer to the same role; the distinction is simply statutory versus common usage.

The Virginia Real Estate Board issues salesperson licenses, and the term real estate agent is commonly used to describe the same role. Both terms refer to a licensed professional who must work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker. The Board licenses salespersons, brokers, and firms, and does not issue a separate agent license distinct from the salesperson license.

In Washington, the entry-level real estate license is called a "broker" rather than "salesperson" or "agent," but the role is the same. A real estate salesperson (or agent) is a licensed professional who performs brokerage services under the supervision of a more senior licensee. In Washington, brokers must work under a managing broker, just as sales agents in other states must work under a broker. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that real estate sales agents must work with a real estate broker, while brokers can work independently and may employ agents.

In West Virginia, the terms "real estate salesperson" and "real estate agent" refer to the same thing. Anyone who earns a real estate license from the West Virginia Real Estate Commission can be called a real estate agent, whether that license is as a salesperson, an associate broker, or a broker. The salesperson license is the entry-level credential, and a salesperson must work under the supervision of a licensed broker.

In Wisconsin, "real estate salesperson" and "real estate agent" refer to the same licensed role. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) issues the Real Estate Salesperson credential, which authorizes the holder to facilitate property transactions under the supervision of a licensed broker. "Real estate agent" is the informal, everyday term for this position, while "salesperson" is the official title used in Wisconsin statutes and regulations.