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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics, while a broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements to operate an independent real estate business. Brokers can work without supervision, hire agents, and manage their own companies, whereas sales agents must work under a qualifying broker. A REALTOR® can be either an agent or a broker, but not all agents or brokers are REALTORS®.

Sources: AREC — AL License Law Rule 790-X-1-.18 (Reciprocal License Requirements); AREC — Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and follows its Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, supervise agents, and own a real estate business. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may be either a salesperson or a broker. In Alaska, a broker must complete 30 hours of approved broker training and have 36 consecutive months of experience as a licensee within the last 60 months, while a REALTOR® must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues.

Sources: Alaska Real Estate Commission — Education; Alaska REC — Broker Licensing Requirements.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adheres to its Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements to work independently and employ agents. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all brokers or agents are REALTORS®. Becoming a REALTOR® requires joining a local REALTOR® association and paying membership dues, while becoming a broker requires meeting state-mandated experience thresholds and passing additional examinations.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker has completed additional education and experience requirements beyond those for a salesperson, can work independently, and can supervise other licensees. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may hold either a salesperson or a broker license.

Sources: AREC — Reciprocal States; AREC — New Applicant Licensing.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics; the designation can be held by agents, brokers, or other real estate professionals. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and supervise salespersons. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may or may not be a broker.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adheres to NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a professional licensed by the state to facilitate real estate transactions. In Colorado, all real estate professionals are licensed as brokers rather than salespersons, so the distinction between "agent" and "broker" used in many other states does not apply. A REALTOR® may hold any level of broker license, and not all licensed brokers choose to join NAR.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribes to its Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker holds a specific license type that requires additional education, experience, and examination beyond a salesperson license and allows the holder to work independently and hire agents. A REALTOR® may be either a salesperson or a broker; the term identifies NAR membership, not the license level. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed agents or brokers are REALTORS®. NAR has approximately 1.5 million members, and REALTORS® must complete ethics training every three years.

Sources: CT DCP — RE Salesperson Initial Exam; CT DCP — RE Salesperson Licensing.

A REALTOR® is a real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements and is licensed to manage their own business, employ agents, and operate independently. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may be either a salesperson or a broker.

Sources: Delaware DPR — Salesperson Licensure; Delaware DPR — Broker and Associate Broker Licensure.

A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who may be a real estate agent, broker, or other real estate professional, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and is licensed to manage their own real estate business. Every REALTOR® must abide by the NAR Code of Ethics and pay annual national dues of $156 for 2027 plus a $45 special assessment. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may or may not hold a broker license.

Sources: NAR — How to Become a REALTOR®.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adheres to its Code of Ethics; a REALTOR® may be either a sales agent or a broker. A real estate broker holds a higher-level license that allows independent operation, hiring of agents, and managing a brokerage, and requires additional education and experience beyond the sales associate level. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate agents or brokers are REALTORS®.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who holds membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensing designation that allows an individual to work independently, hire agents, and manage a real estate business. Brokers have additional education, experience, and exam requirements beyond salespersons; in Georgia, broker applicants must be at least 21, complete a 60-hour pre-license course, and show proof of holding an active license for at least 3 of the past 5 years. A REALTOR® can be either a salesperson or a broker; the distinction is NAR membership, not a license type. NAR had approximately 1.4 million members as of 2025, with 64% licensed as sales agents, 22% as brokers, and 16% as broker associates.

Sources: Atlanta REALTORS® — Broker Pre-License; GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage).

A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional experience and education requirements and is licensed to manage an independent real estate business and employ salespersons. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all brokers or agents are REALTORS®.

Sources: Hawaii REB — Examination & Licensing; Hawaii REB — Application & Registration Fees.

A real estate broker holds an advanced license that allows working independently, hiring agents, and operating a brokerage, requiring additional education and experience beyond a salesperson license. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribes to its Code of Ethics; a REALTOR® may be either a salesperson or a broker. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate agents or brokers are REALTORS®.

Sources: Idaho DOPL — REC FAQs & Consumer Info; Idaho DOPL — Real Estate Commission.

A real estate broker is a professional licensed by the state to facilitate real estate transactions, while a REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed brokers or agents are REALTORS®. To become a REALTOR®, a licensed agent must join a local REALTOR® Association and pay membership dues, and must uphold the NAR Code of Ethics and complete ethics training every three years. In Illinois, the entry-level license is called a broker license; there is no separate "salesperson" or "agent" license.

Sources: IDFPR – Real Estate Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (Official Document); Illinois Administrative Code – IDFPR Broker License Requirements (ilga.gov).

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), pays membership dues, and agrees to abide by the NAR Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements and is licensed to manage their own business, hire agents, and oversee transactions. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed brokers or agents are REALTORS®. NAR requires its members to complete Code of Ethics training every three years.

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

A real estate broker has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and supervise transactions, while a salesperson must work under a licensed broker. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and must follow its Code of Ethics; not all brokers or agents are REALTORS®, and not all REALTORS® are brokers. Broker tiers include associate brokers (who work under another broker), managing brokers (who oversee daily operations), and principal or designated brokers (who supervise agents for legal compliance). In Iowa, a broker must have 24 months of active salesperson experience and complete 60 hours of broker pre-license education before taking the broker exam.

Sources: Iowa DIAL — Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam.

A real estate broker is a licensed professional who has completed additional education, experience, and exam requirements beyond those of a salesperson and is licensed to work independently or employ agents. A REALTOR® is a real estate professional, who may be an agent, broker, or other licensee, and who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and must follow the NAR Code of Ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed professionals are REALTORS®.

Sources: KREC — Broker Requirements; KREC — Kansas Real Estate Commission FAQ.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its Code of Ethics, while not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. A real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and is licensed to manage an independent real estate business, supervise sales agents, and handle transactions without supervision. Sales associates must work under a broker and cannot practice real estate independently.

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

A real estate broker has completed additional education and experience requirements, can work independently, and can hire and supervise agents. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics; a REALTOR® may be either an agent or a broker. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed agents or brokers are REALTORS®.

Sources: LREC — CE Requirements; LREC — License Renewal Season.

A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and may be either a licensed real estate agent or a broker; REALTORS® must follow NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker has completed additional education and experience requirements beyond those for an agent and is licensed to work independently, hire agents, and supervise real estate transactions. In Maine, the Broker/Designated Broker is the top license tier, requiring 2 years as an associate broker plus completion of the Designated Broker Course, while a REALTOR® designation is a voluntary membership distinction available to agents or brokers at any level.

Sources: Maine RE Commission — Individual Licenses (Reciprocal Licensing Section).

A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics; the designation is open to licensed agents, brokers, and other real estate professionals. A real estate broker holds a higher-level license that allows independent practice and the authority to employ and supervise agents. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may or may not be a broker. Only NAR members may use the trademarked term "REALTOR®."

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements to manage an independent real estate business. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate agents or brokers are REALTORS®. In Massachusetts, a broker is responsible for accepting and escrowing funds, supervising salespersons, and finalizing transactions, whereas a salesperson must work under a broker's supervision and cannot operate independently.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently or employ agents. A broker may or may not be a real estate agent, and a real estate agent may hold any license level, including salesperson, broker, or appraiser. In Michigan, broker licensure requires 90 hours of prelicensure education and 3 years of full-time real estate experience, while REALTOR® membership requires joining a local REALTOR® association and paying annual dues. For 2027, NAR national dues are $156 per member plus a $45 special assessment.

Sources: MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Individual Broker Licensing Guide; Michigan Legislature — MCL 338.2237 (State License Fee Act, Sec. 37), corroborated by LARA Salesperson Licensing Guide; NAR — Membership Dues Information.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and must adhere to NAR's Code of Ethics, completing ethics training every three years. A real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and is licensed to work independently, hire agents, and oversee real estate transactions. A REALTOR® may be either an agent or a broker, and not all real estate brokers are REALTORS®, since REALTOR® membership is voluntary and requires joining a local NAR association and paying dues.

Sources: MN Commerce — Licensing Education; MN Commerce — RE License Guide PDF.

A real estate broker is a state-licensed professional who has met Mississippi's requirements for broker licensure, including being at least 21 years old, holding an active salesperson license for 12 cumulative months, completing 120 hours of education, and passing the broker's examination. A REALTOR® is a real estate professional who holds any real estate license and has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local REALTOR® association, which also grants membership in the state and national associations. Not all brokers are REALTORS®, and not all real estate agents are brokers; a salesperson can be a real estate agent without holding a broker license. NAR members pay annual dues ($201 per member for 2027) and must complete Code of Ethics and Fair Housing training every three years.

Sources: MREC PSI Candidate Information Bulletin; NAR — Membership Dues Info.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who holds membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and follows NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker holds a higher-level license that allows independent practice, hiring agents, and supervising real estate transactions, and must meet additional education and experience requirements beyond a salesperson license. A REALTOR® can be either an agent or a broker; the distinction is that REALTOR® status comes from NAR membership, while broker status comes from meeting state licensing requirements.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics; "REALTOR®" is a membership designation, not a license status. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education, experience, and exam requirements and can operate independently, hire agents, and manage a real estate business. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensees are REALTORS®, and a real estate agent may be either a salesperson or a broker.

Sources: Montana DLI — RE Broker Licensing; MT DLI BSD — Broker Checklist.

A real estate broker holds a license type issued by the Nebraska Real Estate Commission that allows the licensee to operate independently as a self-employed broker or work as an associate broker under a licensed broker. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and its affiliated local and state associations, subscribing to NAR's code of ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed professionals are REALTORS®.

Sources: Nebraska Real Estate Commission — License Information (Applicant Information, Nebraska Resident); Nebraska Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensing (Resident Salesperson Information PDF).

A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who has paid membership dues and agreed to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics; the term is trademarked and only NAR members may use it. A real estate broker is a state-licensed professional who has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, supervise agents, and operate a brokerage. REALTOR® membership is voluntary and separate from state licensure, so a broker may or may not be a REALTOR®, and a REALTOR® may hold any license level.

Sources: Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; Nevada RED — Form 501 (Licensing Requirements).

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements to operate independently or manage a brokerage. REALTOR® is a membership designation, not a license type; NAR does not grant licenses. Brokers are licensed by state real estate commissions and can own their own businesses, while salespersons must work under a broker's supervision. In New Hampshire, broker license types include Associate Broker, Managing Broker, and Principal Broker.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics; all real estate agents are licensed agents or brokers, but not all licensed agents or brokers are REALTORS®. A real estate broker has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and manage a brokerage firm. In New Jersey, broker licensure requires 150 hours of prelicensure education and three years of full-time salesperson experience.

Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker.

A real estate broker is licensed by the state to perform real estate services and, in New Mexico, can work as either an associate broker (working under a qualifying broker) or a qualifying broker (managing a brokerage). A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and may be either an agent or a broker; the term "REALTOR®" is a registered trademark of NAR and is not a license type. Brokers are not required to join NAR, and not all NAR members hold a broker license.

Sources: NM RLD — RE Commission Licensing (Apply for License); NM RLD — Real Estate Commission FAQs.

A real estate broker is a licensed professional who can work independently, supervise agents, and hold a brokerage license, while a REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who subscribes to its Code of Ethics. A REALTOR® may be either a salesperson or a broker; the term identifies association membership, not a license type. In New York, a broker must be at least 20 years old, complete 152 hours of qualifying education, and pass a state exam, whereas joining NAR requires only a valid real estate license and membership in a local REALTOR® association.

Sources: NY DOS — Become a RE Broker; NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson FAQ.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), while a real estate broker is a state-licensed professional who has met state education, examination, and character requirements. In North Carolina, every licensee is a broker; the entry-level status is Provisional Broker, and brokers advance by completing 90 hours of Postlicensing education. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all brokers are REALTORS®; NAR membership requires joining a local association, paying annual dues, and completing ethics training every 3 years.

Sources: North Carolina Real Estate Commission / NC General Statutes / NC Administrative Code; NCREC — General Brochure (Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, March 2024).

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to follow NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, manage a firm, and sponsor salespersons. The REALTOR® designation is a membership distinction through NAR, while a broker license is a regulatory credential issued by the state.

Sources: NDREC — How to Apply; ND Real Estate Commission — Exam Info.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has advanced beyond the salesperson level and can operate independently or supervise agents. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate agents or brokers are REALTORS®. NAR requires its members to complete Code of Ethics training every three years, a requirement separate from Ohio's state continuing education.

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

A real estate broker holds a license that allows working independently, managing a business, and hiring agents, while a REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who must follow the NAR Code of Ethics. A REALTOR® can be an agent, broker, appraiser, or property manager; the term describes professional membership rather than a license category. To become a REALTOR®, a licensee must join a local REALTOR® association, which provides state and national membership, and pay annual dues.

Sources: OREC — Licensing & Exam FAQs; OREC — Obtain a License.

A real estate broker is a state-licensed professional who conducts real estate activity while associated with and supervised by a managing principal broker. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to follow its Code of Ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed brokers are REALTORS®, since NAR membership is voluntary and requires paying dues at the local, state, and national levels.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and follows NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker holds an advanced license that permits working independently, hiring agents, and managing a brokerage. The term REALTOR® indicates NAR membership, and the term broker indicates a license type. In Pennsylvania, brokers must complete 240 hours of education and document 3 years of salesperson experience, while REALTORS® must join their local association and pay dues.

Sources: PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who holds membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and may be either a sales agent or a broker. A real estate broker has completed additional education and experience requirements, holds a broker's license, and can work independently, hire agents, and manage a brokerage. Real estate sales agents must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice on their own.

Sources: RI DBR — Real Estate Licensing; RI DBR — Reciprocal Broker Application.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a state-licensed professional who has completed additional education and experience requirements and can operate independently or manage a brokerage. In South Carolina, a broker must be at least 21 years old, hold 5 years of active associate licensure within the past 7 years, and complete 60 hours of broker pre-licensing courses. Becoming a REALTOR® is a voluntary, post-licensing step that requires joining a local association and paying annual dues; the SC Real Estate Commission does not require ethics courses for licensure, as ethics is an association requirement.

Sources: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 57, Section 40-57-310; SC LLR — Real Estate FAQ.

A real estate broker is a licensed professional who can manage a real estate business, work independently, and supervise other licensees. In South Dakota, the entry-level license is called a broker associate, who must work under a responsible broker. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and must adhere to NAR's Code of Ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate licensees are REALTORS®.

Sources: SD DLR — RE License Types & Requirements; SD DLR — Approved Pre-Licensing Education.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local association and agreed to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and supervise transactions. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed agents or brokers are REALTORS®. To become a REALTOR®, a licensed agent or broker must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues, which automatically provides membership in the state and national associations.

Sources: TN Commerce Support — Pre-Licensing Requirements & Exam FAQs; TN TREC — PSI & Exam Information.

A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics, while a real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education, experience, and exam requirements beyond those of a sales agent. Brokers can work independently, sponsor sales agents, and operate a brokerage. Not all brokers are REALTORS®, and not all REALTORS® are brokers: NAR membership is open to agents, brokers, property managers, appraisers, and other real estate professionals. Joining NAR is voluntary and separate from state licensure through the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

Sources: TREC Fee Schedule Effective December 15, 2025; TREC — Become a Sales Agent.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by its Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has met additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, supervise agents, and operate a brokerage. The two designations are independent: a broker may or may not be a REALTOR®, and a REALTOR® may be either a sales agent or a broker. NAR represented approximately 1.5 million members as of 2025.

Sources: Utah DRE — Sales Agent Licensing; Utah Division of Real Estate — Broker Licensing.

A real estate broker is a licensed professional who can work independently, employ agents, and has completed additional education and experience requirements beyond a salesperson license. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and may be either an agent or a broker, but must adhere to NAR's Code of Ethics. In Vermont, a broker must complete a 40-hour broker prelicensing course, pass national and state exams, and have at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson with at least eight closed transactions.

Sources: Vermont OPR — RE Broker & Salesperson Administrative Rules (PDF).

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent or broker who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), a private professional organization whose members agree to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and is licensed to manage an independent business, sponsor salespersons, and practice without supervision. State law requires a real estate license to practice but does not require any licensee to be a REALTOR®, and the two designations are independent of each other.

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

A real estate broker is a licensed professional who performs brokerage services under the supervision of a managing broker. Washington has two levels of real estate licensure: broker and managing broker. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate brokers are REALTORS®. NAR had approximately 1.5 million members across nearly 1,400 local associations.

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

A real estate broker has completed education beyond the agent level and passed a broker's license exam, and can work independently or hire agents to work under their supervision. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local association and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. A REALTOR® can be either a salesperson or a broker, since the designation refers to association membership rather than license type. Only NAR members may use the term "REALTOR®."

Sources: WV REC — Salesperson Licensing; WV REC — Schedule of Fees.

A real estate broker is a licensed professional who has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and operate a brokerage. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional (either an agent or a broker) who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adheres to its Code of Ethics. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all real estate agents or brokers are REALTORS®; joining NAR requires applying to a local REALTOR® association and paying membership dues.

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

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local association and agreed to adhere to NAR's Code of Ethics. A real estate broker is a licensee who has completed additional education and experience requirements and is authorized to work independently, own a brokerage, or supervise other agents. All REALTORS® are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensees are REALTORS®. A broker may or may not be a REALTOR®, depending on whether they have joined NAR.

Sources: Wyoming REC — Obtain a License; Wyoming REC — Education Providers: Pre-Licensing.