What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?

A Real Estate Broker is a PRC duly registered and licensed professional who earns his professional fee or commission from the sale, purchase, exchange, mortgage, lease, or joint venture on real estate transaction. He/she acts as an agent in a real estate deal, who is legally authorized to offer, advertise, solicit, list, promote, mediate or negotiate the meeting of the minds of both parties, property buyer and seller. 

A Real Estate Broker can practice the Real Estate Profession even without an Agent or become a Realtor.

A Real Estate Salesperson or Agent, on the other hand, is a duly accredited natural person who performs service for and on behalf of a Licensed Real Estate Broker for or in expectation of a share in the commission, professional fee, compensation, or other valuable consideration. No PRC examination is required, but the board issued a PRC Accreditation ID to practice real estate service in the Philippines under the real estate broker PRC license. 

A real estate salesperson (Agent) shall be under the direct supervision and accountability of a real estate broker. With that, they cannot by themselves be signatories to a written agreement involving a real estate transaction unless, with the full knowledge of the Licensed Real Estate Broker who has direct supervision over them, is also a signatory. Lastly, without accreditation from a Broker, an Agent cannot in any way practice Real Estate Service in the Philippines. Otherwise, they will be considered Colorum or illegally practicing real estate service in the Philippines.