Maybe you’ve been staring at your commission split statement wondering if the math still makes sense, or perhaps you feel like you’re on an island with zero support when a transaction goes sideways. Whatever the reason, thinking about switching brokerages is a normal part of growing your real estate business. Agents move all the time to find better splits, sharper technology, or a culture that actually aligns with how they work.
However, moving your license in Oregon isn't quite as simple as packing a box and walking out the door. Unlike some states where you initiate the transfer, Oregon has a specific workflow involving your Principal Broker. It requires a bit of administrative choreography to ensure you don’t lose momentum—or worse, lose commissions on your pending deals.
If you are ready to make a move, you need a strategy that protects your active listings and your client relationships. Here is how to navigate the transition in the Portland market without missing a beat.
Step 1: The Pre-Switch Audit (Read Your Contract)
Before you whisper a word to anyone at the water cooler, you need to pull out your current Independent Contractor (IC) agreement. This document dictates exactly how messy or smooth your exit will be. It is crucial to understand what you agreed to when you first joined, especially regarding the money left on the table.
Things to look for in your agreement:
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Tail or Carryover Clauses: If you have pending transactions, does the brokerage take a higher split if they close after you leave? Some contracts revert to a 50/50 split on pendings once you resign.
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Lead Ownership: If you have been relying on the brokerage’s CRM or company-generated leads, those usually stay with the house. You need to know which contacts legally belong to you.
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Non-Solicitation: Check for language that prohibits you from recruiting other agents or staff members to follow you to your new firm.
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Exit Costs: Are there any "break-up fees" or requirements to reimburse the brokerage for training, signage, or marketing costs?
Note: I am a real estate pro, not an attorney. If the language in your IC agreement looks complex or punitive, it is always worth having a legal professional review it before you give notice.
Step 2: The OREA License Transfer Process
This is the part that trips up many Portland agents. In many jurisdictions, you log in and "send" your license to a new firm. In Oregon, the process works in reverse. You cannot transfer yourself; the receiving brokerage has to pull you in.
The receiving Principal Broker must log into the Oregon Real Estate Agency (OREA) eLicense system to "Add" you to their registered business. Once they initiate this and pay the fee, the transfer is effective immediately.
Key details for the OREA transfer:
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Who initiates: The new Principal Broker. You do not need to log in to "quit" the old firm in the system first.
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The Notification: Your old Principal Broker will receive an email notification that you have been moved. They do not technically have to "approve" the exit for it to happen, but they will eventually remove you from their roster to keep their records clean.
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The Cost: The transfer fee is currently $10, payable through the eLicense portal.
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Timing: As soon as the new Principal Broker hits submit and the payment clears, you are officially licensed with the new firm.
What Happens to Your Listings and Pendings?
This is usually the biggest source of anxiety for agents. You have done the work, secured the listings, and put buyers in contract. So, do those deals come with you?
Active Listings In Oregon, a listing agreement is a contract between the seller and the Brokerage, not the agent. Legally, those listings belong to your old firm. They do not automatically transfer when your license does.
To take them with you, you must ask your current Principal Broker to release the listings. If they agree (and many will, as a professional courtesy), the process usually involves "Canceling" the listing in RMLS under the old firm and "New Listing" it under your new brokerage. You will need new paperwork signed by your sellers to match the new firm.
Pending Transactions If you have deals in escrow, things get specific. Under OAR 863-014-0063, you generally cannot just move a pending file to a new office without paperwork. You essentially have two choices:
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Leave the deal behind: You let the old brokerage supervise the close, and they pay you your split according to your IC agreement (watch out for those tail clauses mentioned earlier).
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Transfer the deal: This requires a written agreement signed by the Sending Principal Broker, the Receiving Principal Broker, and you. Both brokers must agree on how the commission will be handled and who is responsible for supervision.
Action Item: Do not leave this to a handshake. Get these agreements in writing before you resign to protect your income.
Updating PMAR and RMLS Affiliations
Once your license has moved at the state level, you need to make sure your tools still work. You don't want to wake up the next morning unable to open a lockbox or access listing data.
PMAR (Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors) Notify the association immediately. You can usually do this via the "Update Member Info" section on the PMAR member portal. This ensures your membership stays active and your billing is routed correctly.
RMLS (Regional Multiple Listing Service) Your new brokerage must have an active RMLS office ID. To move your subscriber access:
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You will need to complete a Subscriber Registration update or transfer form.
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This connects your login to the new office so your production stats track correctly moving forward.
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Lockboxes: Ensure your SentriKey access is transferred to the new office code. If you skip this, your phone app might stop working at the door of a showing.
Note: Keep in mind that while the OREA fee is low, some brokerages may charge an internal admin fee to process the onboarding and data transfer.
How to Evaluate Portland Brokerages
If you are looking at current Portland market conditions and realizing your current setup isn't working, you have plenty of options. But don't just jump to the firm with the flashiest recruiting Instagram. You need a partner that fits your business model.
Use this checklist when interviewing new brokerages:
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Commission Model: Do you prefer a predictable flat fee per transaction, or a traditional split (like 80/20) with a cap? For example, a cap of $16,000 means you keep 100% of your commission after you pay that amount into the house.
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Local Support: This is huge. Is there a dedicated Principal Broker physically located in Portland who answers their phone? When you are writing a complex addendum at 8 PM on a Tuesday, you need someone who knows Oregon law, not a support bot.
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Tech Stack: What CRM do they provide? Whether it is kvCORE, Chime, or a proprietary system, check if it integrates seamlessly with RMLS data feeds so you aren't manually entering listings.
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Culture: Do you fit better with a boutique local brand that knows every neighborhood in PDX, or a national franchise with big-box brand recognition? Think about which brand resonates more with your specific client base.
Announcing the Move to Your Sphere
Once the paperwork is signed and the license is transferred, it’s time to tell the world. However, timing is everything.
Do not announce the move publicly until your license transfer is confirmed in eLicense.
Once you are official:
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Digital Cleanup: Immediately update your email signature, LinkedIn, Zillow, and Realtor.com profiles. In Oregon, advertising rules are strict—your marketing must prominently display your registered brokerage name.
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The "Why" Letter: Send a personal email or letter to your past clients and sphere. Frame the move as a benefit to them. For example, "I've moved to [New Brokerage] to offer you better marketing technology and deeper local resources."
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Social Media: Now you can post that "I've Moved!" graphic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to transfer a real estate license in Oregon?
The direct cost to the Oregon Real Estate Agency (OREA) is currently $10. This fee is paid online through the eLicense system when the new Principal Broker initiates the transfer.
Can I take my active listings with me when I switch brokerages?
Not automatically. In Oregon, listing agreements are contracts between the seller and the brokerage. You must get your current Principal Broker to agree to release the listings, after which you can re-list them under your new firm with the seller's permission.
Do I have to pay my old brokerage for pending deals?
This depends entirely on your Independent Contractor agreement. Some brokerages pay your full split on pendings, while others may charge a higher split or a "break-up fee" for transactions that close after you have left the company.
How long does the transfer process take in Oregon?
The license transfer is virtually instant. As soon as the receiving Principal Broker completes the "Add" process and pays the fee in the eLicense system, your license reflects the new affiliation immediately.
