The Real Estate Agent license designation: In most states, you cannot license as a broker at the beginning of your career, so you'll be studying for and taking the real estate agent license exam. Agents are "sponsored by" or "affiliated with" a broker. Most states have some minimum time period that one must remain an agent under the umbrella of a broker before taking the broker exam. The broker is responsible for agent activity and actions.
The Real Estate Broker license designation: Once eligible, and agent can test to acquire their broker's license. Brokers are expected to have a higher level of knowledge and are responsible for the actions of agents that work in their brokerage.
The Associate Broker status: Some choose to get their broker license when they're eligible, but do not want to be a sponsoring broker. They may do so for the elevated status that a broker's license gives them with clients. In this status, they would still hang their license with a sponsoring (qualifying) broker and fall under that broker's control and responsibility.
