The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, like all professional licensing boards, is established under state law with the primary mission to protect the public. Its duties, such as setting licensing standards, establishing codes of conduct, and investigating complaints, are all designed to safeguard the interests of consumers in real estate transactions. The Board ensures that licensees are competent, ethical, and accountable, thereby protecting the general public from potential harm, fraud, or incompetence. Its authority is exercised on behalf of the public, not the government branches or the professionals it regulates.

A. State legislature. The Board enforces laws created by the legislature, but its primary duty is to the public, not to the legislative body itself.

B. Governor's office. The Governor appoints Board members, but the Board's statutory mandate is to serve and protect the public, independent of the executive office's direct interests.

D. Licensees. The Board regulates licensees to protect the public; it does not act as an advocate or protector for the licensees' interests.

1. Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. The Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons operates under this division. The Division's official mission statement is "to protect the public health, safety and welfare by licensing qualified individuals and businesses to provide services to consumers." This overarching mission defines the Board's primary purpose. (Source: Official MA.GOV website, Division of Occupational Licensure, "About Us" section).

2. Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 112, Section 87AAA. This statute outlines the Board's powers to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license. The grounds for such actions consistently relate to protecting the public, such as acting for more than one party to a transaction without the knowledge and consent of all parties, or any other conduct which is "likely to deceive or harm the public." This statutory language confirms the Board's role as a public protection agency.