Last updated: November 13, 2026 · By Leo Robles, founder of Let's Grow Movement, brokered by eXp Realty
Short answer: Yes. eXp agents can refer clients to licensed agents in other states and countries and earn a referral fee paid through the brokerage, and eXp runs a separate brokerage, eXp Commercial, for commercial real estate.
The referral fee is set in a written agreement, and a residential eXp agent needs State Broker approval before working a commercial deal, so confirm current terms with your sponsor or eXp before you count on any number. Below: how out-of-state and international referrals work, how commercial fits in, a simple table of all three income streams and what to ask before you move. For every guide, start at the Let's Grow Hub.
| Income stream | How it works at eXp | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Residential sales | You list and sell homes as an eXp Realty agent. eXp publishes an 80/20 split until a $16,000 annual cap. | Current fees (below), your sponsor's support and, if you join a team, the team split. Team caps vary by team; ask your sponsor. |
| Commercial deals | Either refer the client to an eXp Commercial advisor and earn a referral fee, or, with your State Broker's approval, work the deal yourself at eXp Realty. eXp Commercial is its own brokerage with its own pay plan. | State Broker approval before you start, whether the deal fits your experience, insurance limits and how the referral fee or shared commission is split. |
| Referrals (out of state and international) | Send clients to licensed agents elsewhere using eXp's referral tool and a signed referral agreement. The fee is paid through the brokerage after closing. | The fee in your written agreement, how eXp's split applies and, outside the U.S., the local rules. |
None of these is guaranteed income. They are ways to get paid when you help a client, and results depend on your own business.
eXp gives its agents an official referral tool. Here is how the process works, based on eXp's referral guide, its help article on agent-to-agent referrals and the eXp knowledge base:
You can also refer to a non-eXp agent. eXp's Policies and Procedures say those referrals must be in writing and uploaded to eXp's transaction system, and they are subject to eXp's split and cap rules. Each state has its own referral agreement form in SkySlope. Referral fees can only be paid to licensed agents.
eXp's referral platform covers eXp Realty, eXp Commercial and international eXp agents (eXp knowledge base). For referrals outside the U.S., you set up the SkySlope file yourself. In countries that don't require a real estate license, eXp says referrals follow that country's own laws. If you want to actually work deals in another country, eXp's Multi-Global License Program lets an agent affiliate with eXp brokerages in different countries, as long as they meet each one's requirements and pay each one's fees.
These are two different things. A referral fee is paid on one client you sent to another agent, after that deal closes. Revenue share is a separate eXp program tied to agents you sponsor into eXp. Read eXp revenue share explained for how that program works. Neither one is a promise of income.
eXp Commercial is eXp's commercial brokerage. Its advisors handle investment sales, buyer and seller representation, landlord and tenant leasing, and business brokerage. Under eXp's policies, eXp Realty and eXp Commercial are separate brands in the same eXp family of brokerages, and eXp Commercial has its own agreement and its own policies.
If you are a residential agent at eXp Realty, here is what eXp's policies say:
The simpler path for most residential agents is a referral. eXp Commercial's own site says an eXp Realty agent who refers a client with a commercial need to an eXp Commercial advisor collects a referral fee when the deal closes (connect.expcommercial.com). That keeps the client in good hands and lets you stay in your lane. eXp Commercial also has its own broker team for commercial questions (eXp knowledge base).
Thinking of moving your license to eXp Commercial? It is a separate brokerage with its own pay plan. eXp Commercial's site describes a standard 20% company split capped at $20,000 a year for its advisors, compared with eXp Realty's published $16,000 cap. Confirm the full current plan with eXp Commercial before you decide.
From eXp's income page (checked November 13, 2026), with the risk management and post-cap fees as confirmed by Leo Robles:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Commission split | 80/20 until a $16,000 annual cap |
| Start-up fee | $149, one time |
| Cloud brokerage fee | $85 a month |
| Broker review fee | $25 per transaction (not charged on referrals) |
| Risk management fee | $60 per transaction, capped at $750 a year (not charged on referrals) |
| After you cap | $250 per transaction until 20 capped deals, then $75 |
See eXp Realty fees and cap, eXp cap math by deal count and commission splits explained for worked examples.
Referrals are clients you already have or find, sent to the right agent. They aren't leads eXp hands you. If you want to know what eXp does and doesn't provide for lead generation and tools, read does eXp Realty give agents leads? For a balanced look at the whole model, see eXp Realty pros and cons.
For the move itself, see how to switch brokerages.
Leo Robles is the founder of Let's Grow Movement, brokered by eXp Realty, and is known to many agents as Mr. AI. He has about 20 years in sales and real estate leadership and has helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure. Today he leads a large, active agent community, runs the free Monday Power Up and coaches agents on using AI in their business. Learn more at leorobles.ai.
LGM is a large, active agent community, and there is no fee to join Let's Grow Movement.
Leo's Google Business Profile shows a 5.0 rating from 187 reviews (checked Oct 24, 2026). A few, quoted as written:
“Leo is an exceptional leader and true innovator in real estate. He’s always finding creative ways to help agents grow.”
— Jaqueline P., Google review
“He explains everything in a clear, practical way and genuinely wants to see you succeed.”
— Veronica H., Google review
“Thank you, Leo, for all the valuable information and support you’ve brought to this community!”
— Alvaro L., Google review
“I’ve learned so much valuable information from him — not just about real estate and business, but also about how to think bigger and operate at a higher level.”
— Kinana A., Google review
Yes. You can refer a client to a licensed agent in another state and earn a referral fee through eXp. For referrals to other eXp agents, eXp's referral tool creates the signed agreement, and for U.S.-to-U.S. referrals eXp's transaction staff handle the file and release your payment. The fee is set in the written agreement, so confirm the exact terms before you count on it.
Sometimes, with approval. eXp Realty's policies require you to get authorization from your State Broker before you work a commercial transaction, and you can't act outside your area of expertise. eXp also warns that its errors and omissions insurance limits are generally not enough for many commercial deals. Business brokerage is not allowed at eXp Realty. Many residential agents refer commercial clients to an eXp Commercial advisor instead.
They are sister brands in the same eXp family of brokerages, but eXp Commercial is a separate brokerage with its own independent contractor agreement, its own policies and its own broker team. An eXp Realty agent can't use eXp Commercial's name or branding unless they are also affiliated with eXp Commercial.
There is no single number. You and the receiving agent agree on the fee in the referral agreement, either a flat amount or a percentage of the commission. eXp's own referral guide says the customary rate is around 25%. Confirm how eXp's split applies to your specific referral with your sponsor or State Broker.
Yes. eXp's Global Referral Platform covers eXp Realty, eXp Commercial and international eXp agents. For referrals outside the U.S., you create the referral file in SkySlope and keep its documents up to date yourself. Referral fees are only paid to licensed agents, except in countries that don't require a license, where local rules apply.
No. A referral fee is paid on a specific client you sent to another agent, after that deal closes. Revenue share is a separate program tied to agents you sponsor into eXp. They are different income streams, and neither one is guaranteed. See our guide to eXp revenue share.
eXp's policies say referrals between an eXp agent and an agent at another brokerage must be in writing, uploaded to eXp's transaction system and are subject to eXp's split and cap rules. eXp's $25 transaction review fee and $60 risk management fee don't apply to referrals. For referrals between two eXp agents, confirm the current split with your sponsor or eXp.
No. There is no fee to join Let's Grow Movement. You can book a free discovery call with Leo Robles to talk through your residential, commercial and referral business.
Sources (checked November 13, 2026): eXp Realty (USA) Policies and Procedures, Version 09.15.2025 (SEC exhibit 10.14 to eXp World Holdings' 2025 Form 10-K: referral payments, commercial property, fees, eXp Commercial trademarks and the Multi-Global License Program); eXp knowledge base on the Global Referral Portal and contacting your State Broker; eXp's referral tool guide and agent-to-agent referral help article; expcommercial.com and connect.expcommercial.com; eXp Realty's income page. The $60 risk management cap of $750 a year and post-cap fees are as confirmed by Leo Robles. Google reviews collected Oct 24, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice or a promise of income. Policies change, so confirm current terms with your sponsor, your State Broker and eXp.