In the United States and parts of the Commonwealth (including Canada and Australia) as well as in many other countries, a real estate agent is a person who advises and represents others in transactions involving real estate. Practicing this profession usually requires a license. In the United Kingdom, the term estate agent is used.
The terms realtor and real estate broker are sometimes used to mean a real estate agent. However, a Realtor refers to a member of the National Association of Realtors, which claims a trademark on the term and states that realtor should not be used to refer to real estate agents who are not members. As for real estate broker, in some states the term is restricted to more experienced real estate agents who have a special license that allows them to operate a brokerage. In this type of licensing structure, individual real estate agents typically work for a broker.
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