Last updated: November 11, 2026 · By Leo Robles, founder of Let's Grow Movement, brokered by eXp Realty
Short answer: Yes, licensed brokers can join eXp Realty, and you keep your broker's license when you do. In California you work as a broker associate under eXp as your responsible broker, you follow eXp's published split, cap and fees, and you stop carrying the cost of running your own brokerage.
Below is how the license side works in California, what changes and what stays yours, what it costs at eXp, how partners move together and a checklist for wrapping up loose ends first. For every guide, start at the Let's Grow Hub.
Nothing is taken away. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) defines a broker associate as a person licensed as a real estate broker who works in the capacity of a salesperson for another responsible broker or corporation (DRE broker-associate FAQs). Here is what the DRE says about that setup:
Questions about joining or transferring are handled by eXp's state broker team; in California that is [email protected] (eXp knowledge base). Outside California, check your state regulator's rules.
| Running your own brokerage | Broker associate at eXp | |
|---|---|---|
| Your broker license | Yours | Still yours |
| Supervision and compliance | You are the responsible broker | eXp is your responsible broker |
| Brokerage overhead | You carry the cost of running the company | eXp runs the brokerage; you pay its published fees |
| Your brand, clients and relationships | Yours | Still yours, with ads showing eXp as your broker |
| Splits and fees | You set your own | eXp's published plan (below) |
For marketing details, see can you switch brokerages without losing your brand?
eXp publishes one plan for agents in general (exprealty.com/income, checked November 11, 2026). Holding a broker license doesn't change these numbers as far as eXp's public pages show.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Commission split | 80/20 until a $16,000 annual cap, then 100% for the rest of your anniversary year |
| Start-up fee | $149, one time |
| Cloud brokerage fee | $85 a month |
| Broker review fee | $25 per transaction |
| Risk management fee | $60 per transaction, capped at $750 a year |
| After you cap | $250 per transaction until 20 capped deals, then $75 |
See eXp Realty fees and cap and eXp cap math by deal count for worked examples. Coming from a 100% plan? Read 100% commission vs eXp.
Each licensee affiliates with eXp on their own license, so two partners each complete their own application and DRE affiliation. Sponsorship is set when you join, so decide who each of you joins under before you apply. If you run a team, eXp sets up team splits with a Team Addendum. Team caps vary by team; ask your sponsor. Read can a team or brokerage move to eXp Realty? and how to choose an eXp Realty sponsor.
For the general timeline, see how to switch brokerages.
More questions: questions to ask a brokerage before you join.
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. A licensed broker can join eXp and work under eXp's brokerage. In California this is called working as a broker associate: you keep your broker license and affiliate with eXp as your responsible broker through DRE eLicensing or form RE 215.
No. You keep your broker license. In California you work as a broker associate, which means a licensed broker working in the capacity of a salesperson for another responsible broker. Your license stays yours, and you can affiliate somewhere else later.
eXp's published plan is the same for agents in general: an 80/20 split until a $16,000 annual cap, a $149 start-up fee, an $85 monthly cloud brokerage fee, a $25 broker review fee per deal and a $60 risk management fee per deal, capped at $750 a year. Confirm your exact plan with your sponsor before you join.
California law allows a broker associate to also work as an independent broker, but the affiliation agreement can prohibit it. Ask eXp's state broker team before you plan on keeping your own company active.
Brokers use form RE 215, the Broker-Associate Affiliation Notification, or the broker-associate affiliation in DRE eLicensing. Form RE 214 is for salespersons only. You also need a main office address on your broker license, which you can add with form RE 204 or eLicensing.
Yes. Each licensee joins and affiliates on their own license, and many partners and small teams move together. Sponsorship is set at join, so decide who you each join under first. Team caps vary by team; ask your sponsor.
The DRE says the affiliation is effective on the date the new responsible broker certifies it in eLicensing. Plan for the paperwork, but also plan a few weeks to wrap up pending deals, client funds and memberships.
No. There is no fee to join Let's Grow Movement. You can book a free discovery call with Leo Robles to walk through your move.
Sources (checked November 11, 2026): California DRE broker-associate FAQs (AB 2330), forms RE 215 and RE 204, and eLicensing broker associate notification; eXp Realty's income page (split, cap and fees) and join page; eXp knowledge base on contacting your state broker. 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. Rules and policies change, so confirm with the DRE, your state regulator and eXp before you move.