The correct answer is A. A licensed employing broker may compensate an affiliated licensed salesperson according to the employment or independent-contractor compensation agreement between them.
Massachusetts salespersons do not operate independent brokerages and cannot receive brokerage compensation directly from consumers for licensed services outside the employing-broker relationship. Compensation therefore flows through the responsible broker.
The broker may also enter lawful compensation arrangements with other appropriately licensed brokers. However, paying an unlicensed person for activities requiring a real-estate license presents a serious licensing violation.
Candidates must distinguish legitimate administrative wages from transaction-based compensation for brokerage activity. An unlicensed employee can be paid for lawful clerical or administrative work, but cannot receive brokerage compensation for performing activities such as soliciting listings, negotiating transactions, or otherwise acting as a broker or salesperson without the required license.
Commission percentages and salesperson splits are negotiated rather than fixed by Massachusetts law.
Study Guide Reference: Massachusetts License Law — Broker/Salesperson Compensation, Licensing Requirements and Supervision.
