Board Structure

### Section: Board Structure and Regulatory Authority Estimated study time: 45 minutes Content: The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (the Board) operates under the Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. The Board's authority derives from Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter 112, Sections 87PP through 87DDD — the statutory framework governing all real estate licensees in the Commonwealth. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor: five licensed real estate brokers and two public members. Members serve three-year staggered terms. The Board is responsible for establishing licensing standards, adopting regulations (codified in 254 CMR), administering examinations, issuing licenses, and enforcing disciplinary standards. The Board has the authority to investigate complaints against licensees, conduct hearings, and impose sanctions ranging from a formal reprimand to license suspension or revocation. Grounds for discipline include fraud, misrepresentation, commingling of client funds with the broker's own funds, undisclosed dual agency, failure to disclose material facts, incompetence, and criminal convictions involving moral turpitude. License revocation requires a formal hearing with notice to the licensee and an opportunity to be heard; the licensee may appeal to Superior Court. The Board also oversees the real estate education requirements and approves schools and course curricula for pre-licensure and continuing education. Unlike many states, Massachusetts requires that a salesperson always work under the supervision of a licensed broker. An individual may not independently act as a real estate agent without holding a broker's license or being licensed as a salesperson affiliated with a broker.…