Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
In Ontario, a salesperson is the entry registration category; a broker has been registered as a salesperson for at least 24 of the previous 36 months and completed broker education; and a broker of record is the broker a brokerage designates as accountable for its compliance, including trust accounts and supervision. All three trade on behalf of a brokerage. Check any registrant on RECO’s public register.
The three categories at a glance
| Category | What it means | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson | Registered with RECO and trades on behalf of a brokerage, under its supervision | How experienced or skilled they are |
| Broker | Was registered and employed as a salesperson for at least 24 of the 36 months before applying, and completed broker education and exam | Local knowledge or recent results |
| Broker of record | A broker the brokerage designates as responsible for its compliance with Ontario real estate law | Transaction volume or suitability for your home |
Sources: RECO; Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002.
What does a broker of record actually do?
Every Ontario brokerage must designate a broker of record. That person is accountable for the brokerage’s compliance: supervising the salespersons and brokers who trade through it, overseeing trust account handling and reconciliations, and making sure records and trade files meet the rules. When a registrant at a brokerage gets into regulatory trouble, the broker of record and the brokerage can be pulled into it.
So the title signals responsibility and familiarity with the rules. It does not, by itself, prove that the person is better at pricing a condo in your building than a salesperson who sells there every month.
Does it matter which one you hire?
Less than the marketing suggests. Use the category as context, then judge on evidence: recent sales like yours, pricing logic based on real comparables, clear written terms and good communication. A highly experienced salesperson can be the right choice; a newly qualified broker may not be.
Where the title can help is complexity. Estate sales, separations, tenanted properties, commercial and business sales and files with unusual conditions all reward someone who knows the rules in detail and has seen many transactions go sideways.
How to check a registrant in two minutes
- Go to RECO’s public register at reco.on.ca.
- Search the person’s legal name, or the brokerage.
- Confirm registration status, category and brokerage.
- Check for published disciplinary decisions. My RECO complaints guide explains what they mean.
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty, at Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke, working with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA. That means I am accountable for my brokerage’s compliance, not just my own files. You can confirm my registration on RECO in a minute — and you should, for me and anyone else you interview.
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The takeaway
Salesperson, broker and broker of record are Ontario registration categories. A broker needs 24 months as a salesperson within 36 months plus broker education; a broker of record is accountable for the brokerage’s compliance. Verify on RECO, then hire on evidence and fit, not the title.
Talk it through with me
Have a complicated sale or purchase?
Estate, separation, tenant or business involved? Tell me the situation and I will outline how I would handle it.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a broker and a salesperson in Ontario?
Both are RECO registrants who trade through a brokerage. A broker was registered and employed as a salesperson for at least 24 of the 36 months before applying and completed broker education and an exam.
What is a broker of record?
The broker a brokerage designates as responsible for its compliance with Ontario real estate law, including supervision of registrants and oversight of trust accounts and records.
Is a broker better than a salesperson?
Not automatically. The category reflects education and registration history, not local results. Judge any agent on recent comparable sales, pricing logic and written terms.
Can a real estate agent work independently in Ontario?
No. Salespersons and brokers must be registered with and trade on behalf of a registered brokerage.
How do I check if my agent is a broker?
Search their name on the RECO public register. It shows their registration category and brokerage.
Is Jatin Dua a broker of record?
Yes. Jatin Dua is Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, at 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke, and can be verified on the RECO public register.
Sources
- RECO — Becoming a real estate broker — eligibility rule of 24 months as a registered salesperson within the preceding 36 months. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) — public register of registrants, registration categories and disciplinary decisions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 — the statute governing Ontario real estate registrants, in force in its current form since 1 December 2023. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- 21 questions to ask a realtor before hiring
- Fiduciary duty: what your agent owes you
- RECO complaints and discipline
- Designated and multiple representation
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.