eXp’s primary method of communication during the onboarding process will be email.  

While you are applying / on-boarding, we suggest that you routinely check your email, including your spam/junk email folders, as sometimes the emails from eXp will end up there.  This is especially true for Gmail accounts and/or vanity domains.

PLEASE forward copies of all emails you receive from eXp during the onboarding process to your sponsor and/or Point of Contact in our organization (e.g. Chris or Randy, etc.)

The on-boarding process can take up to 24-48 hours or more depending on the parties involved, and the accuracy of information provided by the applicant.  Be sure to promptly respond to communications from eXp and follow instructions given.  Lack of responsiveness on your part will delay the onboarding process.

These are the things you will need to complete your eXp application:

• A desktop or laptop computer - don't try to do the application on your phone or tablet

• Google Chrome is the recommended browser

• Your full legal name (as it appears on your real estate license)

• Your real estate license number

• Your Realtor association / MLS info - if you’re not currently a member of a Realtor association and MLS, you will be required to join one within 7 days of joining eXp Realty

• Your sponsor’s name - see the email I sent you with the link to this Guide

• Tax ID Number:

  • • Your Social Security Number (SSN) - if you’ll be paid as an individual; OR 

    • Employer Identification Number (EIN) - if you’ll be paid through a corporation

• 2 payment methods for your initial payment and subsequent monthly fees

• A valid checking account for electronic payments made to you (commissions, revenue share, and/or reimbursements)

The first thing you have to do is create an account.  

Click Here to Create Your Account

** Make sure you're on the eXp Commercial / Referral Division account page.  The banner at the top should say "...eXp Commercial OR eXp Referral Division".  If it doesn't, scroll down and click the link that says "eXp Commercial and Referral Division Application" (in the New Agents column).

When creating your account:

• Fill in your first and last name as they appear on your real estate license

• Put in your cell phone number

• Email:

  1. • use a personal email address (one that you own) as opposed to one that’s connected to your current brokerage

     • use an email that you check frequently

• Select the option that you are joining "eXp Referral Division"

• Check the box to confirm that you agree to eXp’s Terms of Use and Privacy and Data Processing Policy.

• Check the box that says “I’m not a Robot”

• Then click the button that says “Sign Up”

Once your account is created you will have access to eXp World (our virtual office), where you can visit any department you may need for support, such as:  The state broker team, Transactions, eXpert Care Concierge & more.  You can log into eXp World using your guest credentials - the username and password you created when you created your eXp Account.

** Use the Concierge Chat for live assistance (bottom left of the screen)

Once you’ve created your account, follow the instructions to complete your application to eXp.

Please allow 20 minutes to complete the Application and ICA (discussed below).

We recommend you fill out the application during business hours.  There is a live chat feature to get questions answered, but it’s only functional during business hours.

Open the drop-downs below for more info about each section of the application:

You will have to fill out your application with your full / legal name as it appears on your license.  

If you commonly go by a nickname (e.g. “Chris” as opposed to “Christopher”) you can change this later in your profile.

You will be asked who your “sponsor” is.  Your sponsor should be the person who was most influential in your decision to join eXp Realty.  This is the person who’s “down-line” you will be in for purposes of revenue share.  

You will first be required to watch eXp's video about sponsorship.

After you've watched the video, click the button that says "I have viewed the video and understand the sponsorship policy”

Then click the button that says "Select or Decline Sponsor"

You will then be taken to a screen to select your sponsor.

You can search for your sponsor either by the sponsor's name or eXp email.

When the sponsor pops up in the search - click the button that says "Select"

** If you can't find your sponsor, click the button that says "Can't Find Your Sponsor?"

You can then manually input the sponsor's name.

Make sure you put the correct name - eXp has a strict policy that once a sponsor is selected, it cannot be changed for any reason

You will then be asked to confirm your sponsor.  If the selection is correct, click "Proceed"

You will then be taken back to the screen with the video. 

At the bottom of the screen, you will be asked to confirm your sponsor again.  

Confirm your sponsor by clicking "Yes"

Then click the button that says "Save and Continue"

Click on the drop-downs below more more info about the questions asked in the License Info stage of the application:

If you haven’t received your license number yet, just put all zeros (000000) when it asks for it.  We can fix it later when you receive your license number.

This is part of the eXp Commercial join app - you don't have to be a member of a Commercial MLS in eXp Referral Division

If you are a member of a commercial MLS - select "Yes" - then select the applicable choice from the drop-down

Select your current brokerage from the drop-down.

If you're a new agent or you're not currently with a brokerage, select "Other" 

This is part of the eXp Commercial join app - your transaction history isn't relevant in the eXp Referral Division.

You will be asked if you are licensed in another state, province, or country - select "Yes" or "No"

If you have an additional license(s), you will be asked to provide that license info as well.

NOTE:  per eXp Policy, ALL licenses held by an agent will need to be with eXp.  If an agent is licensed in multiple states (and/or countries), then they will need to place that license with eXp as well. Please reach out to onboarding@expreferral.com with any questions!

You will next be asked about your real estate experience and how you're conducting business.

You will be asked if you're a brokerage owner and/or if you own interest in another brokerage.

If you are a brokerage owner and/or own interest in another brokerage, please note that as per eXp Policy, you may not  hang your broker's license at  any other brokerage, even if authorized by law to do so.

You may be asked whether you have, or wish to obtain an office or "brick and mortar" location...

Since eXp is a cloud brokerage (no brick-and-mortar offices), by default your main office address will be the address of your State Broker.  This might not be near the area where you practice.   

If you want to use a different address than your State Broker’s as your main office address, you have 2 options:

If you have your own office, you can have it designated as an eXp branch office.

If there is a designated eXp branch office in your area, you can get permission from the “manager” (owner) of that office to use their address as your main office address.  You will have to provide the owner/manager with your DRE number and be added to their list of authorized users of that branch office.

** There are specific requirements that must be met to exercise either one of these 2 options - contact your State Broker for details.

You may be asked if you have a spouse / domestic partner at another brokerage.

Per eXp Policy, if an agent has a spouse who is licensed with another brokerage, that spouse will need to join eXp as well.  

Please reach out to your specific state broker with any questions.

You will be asked whether you're bringing a team or joining as part of a team

Please note that your “team” is different from your “up-line / down-line” at eXp.  

Your "up-line / down-line" refers to your revenue share organization.  

Your “team” refers to an actual team with whom you conduct real estate sales.  

Joining someone's down-line does not necessarily mean you will be part of their team.  Unless you are joining an actual sales "team", answer "no" to this question on the application.

Lastly, you will be asked for your financial info for payments and direct deposits

You will be asked about being paid as an individual or through a company (LLC, S-Corp, etc.).

If you don't have a company - you will be paid as an Individual

Consult your accountant or tax professional for advice

If you will be paid as an individual - enter your Social Security Number (SSN)

You will then be asked to provide info for your W-9 which will be signed during the Documents stage of the application process

You will be asked whether you would like to get paid through a company.  

If you have a company (LLC, S-Corp, etc.) and would like your commissions and/or Revenue Share payments to be made to that company - select "Yes".

You will then be asked to provide your company's tax ID number (EIN) and additional info about your company.

Consult your accountant or tax professional for advice

You will then be asked how you would like to pay your recurring fees (initial fee and monthly fees) - select either "Credit/Debit Card" or "Checking Account".

** You will provide the account info for BOTH your credit/debit card AND your checking account later on the payment authorization form (see below)

NOTE - eXp requires a valid method of payment to be on file at all times.  You are subject to termination for failing to adhere to this requirement

You will be asked if a 3rd party is paying for either your initial fee or your monthly fees - select "Yes" or "No"

If your fees are being paid by a 3rd party, eXp will send that person a 3rd party payment authorization form.

Then confirm the recurring fee amounts by clicking the button that says "I Agree"

The W-9 is the tax document you must sign which will dictate how you get paid.

NOTE:  The info you provide here has to match how you're going to be paid:

If you're going to be paid in your Personal name - you have to provide your personal payment info

If you're going to be paid in a Corporation - you have to provide the corporate payment info

For information on how to complete your W-9:

W-9 State Specific Rules

How to Complete a W-9 

You will then be asked to provide your checking account information for direct deposits of commissions, Revenue Share, and/or reimbursements.

NOTE:  The info you provide here has to match how you're going to be paid:

If you're going to be paid in your Personal name - you have to provide your personal checking account info

If you're going to be paid in a Corporation - you have to provide the corporate checking account info

You will then be asked to confirm all of your financial info.

Please review the information thoroughly!!  Any incorrect info provided will cause a delay in the processing of your application. 

When you've confirmed that all the info is correct - click the button that says "Save and Continue"

The last step of the application is to complete and sign your documents.

 There are 4 documents you will need to sign in order to complete your application:

1. Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA) - Called the "US Referral ICA"

2. Monthly Tech Cloud Brokerage Fee Agreement

3. W-9

4. Direct Deposit Authorization Form

The documents will be filled in based on the info you provided during the application process.

You must sign ALL 4 documents to complete your application.

Once signed, eXp will send signed copies of the documents to the email address you provided.  Please allow up to 2 business days for the completed documents to arrive.

When you're ready to sign your documents - click the button that says "Sign My Documents"

At the eXp Referral Division, this is called the "US Referral ICA"

The Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA) is your contract with eXp laying out the terms of your affiliation with the company.

To review and sign your ICA - click the button that says "Sign"

We highly recommend that prior to signing the ICA, you print out a copy and thoroughly review it. 

Make sure the correct sponsor is named on your ICA.  Once the ICA is signed and a sponsor is named, it cannot be changed.

This form may actually entitled "Exhibit 1 to Independent Contractor Agreement"

To complete and sign this form - click the button that says "Sign"

NOTE:  You must provide BOTH your credit/debit card AND your checking account info.  

Select which payment method you would like eXp to use first (primary payment method)

Provide YOUR info even if someone else is paying your fees.  

Notify the Onboarding Team (onboarding@expreferral.com) if someone else is paying your fees.  eXp will send that person a 3rd Party Payment Authorization Agreement

The W-9 is the tax document you must sign which will dictate how you get paid.

To sign this form - click the button that says "Sign"

NOTE:  Your credit/debit card and/or checking account info has to match how you're going to be paid:

If you're going to be paid in your Personal name - you have to provide your personal payment info

If you're going to be paid in a Corporation - you have to provide the corporate payment info

Please also note that the final four digits of your tax identification number must match on both your W-9 form and the Direct Deposit form.

For information on how to complete your W-9:

W-9 State Specific Rules

How to Complete a W-9 

This is the form authorizing eXp to make direct deposits into your checking account.

To sign this form - click the button that says "Sign"

The form already be filled in based on the info you provided during your application.

NOTE:  Your checking account info has to match how you're going to be paid:

If you're going to be paid in your Personal name - you have to provide your personal checking account info

If you're going to be paid in a Corporation - you have to provide the corporate checking account info

Please also note that the final four digits of your tax identification number must match on both your W-9 form and the Direct Deposit form.

If you’re committed to joining eXp, but aren’t quite ready to move your license, you can submit a request for a Revenue Share Placeholder Addendum (RSPA) to the Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA).  

The RSPA is literally a "place-holder" for you at eXp while you're preparing to make the transition.

The main benefit of the RSPA is that it allows you to begin recruiting agents to eXp (i.e. build your downline) even before you have officially joined eXp.

For example, if you’re a broker and you want to start moving your agents over before you’re ready to close down your brokerage, you can submit an LOI, and begin moving your agents to eXp while you’re winding things down.  You won’t be able to actually receive revenue share from agents you recruit until you yourself join eXp, but you won’t lose the opportunity to bring people in under you while you’re getting your ducks in a row.

Important notes about requesting an RSPA:

• In order to get an RSPA, you must submit your application to join eXp, and sign your ICA; however, you won’t transfer your license to eXp yet.  Your onboarding will be in “hold” status until you are ready to actually join eXp.

• No one (e.g. your current brokerage) is notified that you have submitted your application and a request for an RSPA.

• Your monthly fee at eXp does not begin until you officially join eXp (you don’t pay anything during the RSPA period).

• The RSPA will be in effect for 90 days - i.e. - you have to transfer your license to eXp within 90 days.  Extensions can be granted on a case by case basis.

• The request for an RSPA must be submitted immediately after you submit your application to eXp and sign your ICA.

For additional info about the RSPA, click on the following links:

RSPA Policy & FAQ's

Sample RSPA

To request a Revenue Share Placeholder Addendum to your ICA - Send an Email to:  onboarding@eXpreferral.com

After you complete the Google form to request the RSPA, eXp will send you the actual RSPA for electronic signature.  Your RSPA will not be in effect until you sign it.  You will receive a fully-executed copy for your records.

If you have additional questions, send an email to:  onboarding@eXpreferral.com

Once your application has been submitted, send me an email with the following info:

• Full name used to submit your application

• Email used to submit your application

• Date you submitted your application

• Your Personal Code from your application/onboarding dashboard - I need this to track the status of your application  

You can track the status of your application by inputting your Personal Code (from your application/onboarding dashboard) into eXp’s Onboarding Tracker.  

During the License Verification stage, an Onboarding Analyst will review the agent's name and license number on the state commission website and will verify the license status. 

Reminder:  your name on your application must match your name as it appears on your real estate license, otherwise the processing of your application will be delayed.

During the Document Completion stage, the eXp Onboarding Analyst will review your completed Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA), and will contact you regarding any revisions needed.

All revision correspondence will come from this email:  Documents@expreferral.com

Remember:  lack of responsiveness to emails and/or other communications from eXp will delay the processing of your application and your onboarding.

Once your application is complete and has been accepted by eXp, the next step in joining eXp Realty is to transfer your license.  You will not be a part of eXp until YOU do this.

Before you transfer your license, there are several things you must do to prepare to change brokerages:

Checklist of Things To Do BEFORE Transferring Your License

The process to transfer your license varies from state to state.  

eXp will email you detailed instructions on the next steps of the license transfer process.   Be sure to regularly check your email (including your spam/junk folders) for this email.

For examples of the email you will receive from eXp about transferring your license, see the State Welcome Letter doc and select the applicable state.

If you do not receive this email - notify the Onboarding Team:  onboarding@expreferral.com

When you're ready to transfer your license, follow the instructions provided by eXp.

Please let me know when you've transferred your license so that I can notify your eXp State Broker Team.

After you've transferred your license, eXp will then certify the transfer, and your license will now be affiliated with eXp.

You will then move to the final stage of onboarding (Activation) - see below.

During the License Transfer stage, you can email your eXp State Broker Team if you have any questions:

StateAbbreviation.Broker@expreferral.com

StateAbbreviation.Broker@expcommercial.com

Ex:  in California, the emails are:  

CA.Broker@expreferral.com

CA.Broker@expcommercial.com

The license transfer instructions from your State Broker will tell what to fill in for your mailing address and/or your “main office address”.  

Since eXp is a cloud brokerage (no brick-and-mortar offices), by default your main office address will be the address of your State Broker.  This might not be near the area where you practice.   

If you want to use a different address than your State Broker’s as your main office address, you have 2 options:

If you have your own office, you can have it designated as an eXp branch office.

If there is a designated eXp branch office in your area, you can get permission from the “manager” (owner) of that office to use their address as your main office address.  You will have to provide the owner/manager with your DRE number and be added to their list of authorized users of that branch office.

** There are specific requirements that must be met to exercise either one of these 2 options - contact your State Broker for details.

The last step is getting activated in eXp’s internal system (Enterprise).

At this time, eXp will charge the payment method you provided.

Once payment is confirmed, you will be activated.

You will then receive an automated welcome email from eXp.

** Please forward the welcome email to me upon receipt:  chris@chrisguercio.com

eXp Realty - US Agent Center

eXp Referral Division - Joining Roadmap

W-9 State Specific Rules

How to Complete a W-9