This part may be cited as the Real Estate Law.

Except as otherwise specified, the definitions in this chapter apply to the provisions of this part only and do not affect any other provisions of this code.

“Commissioner” means the Real Estate Commissioner.

“Person” includes corporation, company and firm.

“Provisions of this part relating to real estate” means the provisions of Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 6 of Part 1.

“Provisions of this part relating to business opportunity regulation” means the provisions of Chapters 1, 2, and 6 of Part 1.

Solely with regard to any transaction involving the sale, lease, or exchange of a business opportunity occurring before, on, or after the effective date of this section, this division shall not apply to any person licensed at the time of the transaction as a securities broker or securities dealer under any law of this state or of the United States, or by any employee, officer, or agent of that person while acting under the direction of, and within the scope of, his or her employment with that person in connection with the transaction.

As used in this section, “any transaction involving the sale, lease, or exchange of a business opportunity” does not include any of the acts described in Section 10131 or Section 10131.2 if the substance of the transaction is to transfer, sell, lease, or exchange an interest in real property for the purpose of evading this part.

“Provisions of this part relating to mineral, oil, and gas brokerage” means the provisions of Chapters 1, 2, 6, and 7, of Part 1.

“Provisions of this part relating to hearings” means the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Part 1.

this division or other existing applicable California law, including common law.

supervision, regardless of whether the retention contract with that salesperson or broker associate specifies an independent contractor relationship or an employment relationship.

“Licensee,” when used without modification, means a person, whether broker or salesperson, licensed under any of the provisions of this part.

“Broker,” when used without modification, means a person licensed as a broker under any of the provisions of this part.

“Salesperson,” when used without modification, means a person licensed as a salesperson under any of the provisions of this part. Whenever the word salesman is used in this division, or in the rules and regulations of the commissioner, it means salesperson. Notwithstanding any other law, a licensee may elect to refer to his or her licensed status as real estate salesman, real estate saleswoman, or real estate salesperson.

“Real estate licensee” means a person, whether broker or salesperson, licensed under Chapter 3 of this part.

“Real estate broker” means a person licensed as a broker under Chapter 3 of this part.

“Responsible broker” means the real estate broker responsible for the exercise of control and supervision of real estate salespersons under Section 10159.2, or a licensee subject to discipline under subdivision (h) of Section 10177 for failure to supervise activity requiring a real estate license. The supervision of a salesperson required under this part or any other law is limited to regulatory compliance and consumer protection.

“Manager” means a real estate licensee authorized to perform supervisorial services for a responsible broker.

“Broker associate” means a broker retained by a responsible broker who has authority to provide services requiring a real estate license on behalf of the responsible broker.