Supervising Broker Titles by State

Last reviewed: August 8, 2026. Regulator links re-checked 2026-08-10; deep terminology audit of 15 high-volume jurisdictions completed 2026-08-12. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This page is general information, not legal advice — confirm current rules with the state regulator or qualified counsel before acting.

How to read the evidence column

Term confirmed by primary source

The linked statute, administrative rule or official licensing form was fetched on the date shown and prints the term recorded here.

Official supervision rule confirmed; single title not established

An official source supports the jurisdiction's supervision requirement but does not settle on one title, so no term is asserted.

Official canonical source identified; automated fetch blocked

The canonical official source is documented but the host does not serve fetchable text. Recorded as not fetched; the term is treated as unconfirmed.

Official regulator identified; term unconfirmed

The regulator is verified, but no official source printing a supervising-broker title was established. A regulator homepage is never treated as evidence of terminology.

Sourcing rules, review dates and the corrections process are set out in the editorial policy.

Terminology, regulator and source by jurisdiction

A supervising-broker term is recorded for 27 of the 51 listed jurisdictions. The remainder are shown as "Not confirmed" rather than guessed. Of those, 10 are confirmed against a fetched primary source and are the only ones carried into this page's structured data.

What each term generally means

These are general distinctions in how the terms are used. The legal duties attached to any of them are set by the jurisdiction that uses the term, not by the term itself.

Broker of record

Common industry term for the licensed individual or firm named on a company's real estate licence as the licensee accountable to the regulator. Widely used in practice even where it is not the statutory word. Its duties are whatever the naming jurisdiction assigns.

Designated broker

Statutory term in several states for the broker a business entity designates on its firm licence. The designation is a filing with the regulator; the scope of supervision is set by that state's licensing law.

Managing broker

Statutory term used in some states for the licensee who manages and supervises a brokerage's licensed activity. In those states it is the same regulatory position other states call designated broker.

Broker-in-charge

Term used where supervision is attached to an office or place of business rather than only to the firm. States using it may require a separate eligibility or designation step with the regulator.

Qualifying broker

Term used where the individual broker's credentials are what qualify the entity to hold a licence. If that broker's licence lapses, the entity's registration is typically affected — the specifics are set by state law.

Principal broker

Term used in several states for the firm's designated supervising broker. Some jurisdictions also use it informally for the owner-broker of a firm; the licence record is what controls.

Responsible broker

Term used where the licence names the broker responsible for the entity's licensed activity, including supervision of affiliated licensees. Duties follow the state's statute and regulator rules.

Designated officer

Term used where a corporate licence must be qualified by a broker who also holds a corporate office. California's Department of Real Estate uses it on its corporation licence application and notes that the informal label “broker of record” is not sufficient for that filing.

How this reference is sourced

Terminology is recorded only where it has been confirmed against a primary source, and each link carries the status of how it was established. A regulator homepage identifies the agency; it is not evidence of what a jurisdiction calls the supervising licensee. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This page is general information, not legal advice — confirm current rules with the state regulator or qualified counsel before acting. This is general information, not legal advice. Published by 50 State Brokerage; see the editorial policy for sourcing, review dates and corrections.

Related: state brokerage guides · answer library · glossary · managing vs designated broker