The correct answer is B. Massachusetts does not prescribe a universal statutory commission split between an employing broker and an affiliated salesperson. Compensation arrangements are generally established through the contractual or employment relationship between the broker and salesperson.
A salesperson must remain affiliated with and supervised by the broker and cannot operate as an independent brokerage. The broker remains responsible for transactions and the handling of client funds. Massachusetts Board consumer guidance expressly recognizes that salespersons may be employees or independent contractors while remaining under broker supervision.
Commission rates themselves are also negotiable, not government-fixed. Any agreement among competing brokerage firms to establish uniform commissions could create antitrust concerns.
A brokerage might use a traditional percentage split, graduated split, salary, team structure, commission cap, or another lawful compensation model. The exact economic arrangement depends on the firm ' s policies and the parties ' agreement.
The salesperson may not bypass the employing broker by independently collecting brokerage compensation directly from a client.
Study Guide Reference: Massachusetts License Law — Broker/Salesperson Relationship, Supervision and Compensation.
