Tread lightly...and remember this: Ignorance of the law wont help if things go south so you are on the right track for asking. Now to find out

Don't know about California, but illegal in NC and SC.

You cannot AS A licensed agent pay out a referral fee to a unlicensed individual ON A residential deal in California. You are safe with a small gift, gift card. My gift to show appreciation for a referral generated by a non licensed person is typically a $50. gift card. 

As a multi state independent investor with wholesale experience, there are ways around this outside the brokerage realm, it may involve freezing your association/MLS membership (dependent on the state if you're also licensed in that state as an agent) to make it work as for paying bird dogs a reward for finding investment grade properties if they don't already own it or control it with a option. Paying commission on "self dealing" is allowed when done right...consult an attorney. THIS IS HOW I AM LEGALLY ABLE TO DO IT.

California law allows the payout of a referral fee to non licensed individuals in deals that involve commercial property, it was true a few months ago when I last looked. Please don't rely on my advice, go verify for your own due diligence.

You have many more years on me as a CA broker, how do you NOT know this? 

I'm really perplexed by this, because it is in the required ethics course when obtaining a license and in the continuing ethics course that would be required for you to renew, I was in 2 of the mandated courses and this subject was clearly in both, it's a major topic.

Not allowed in Atlanta.  May be a good idea to check with your Broker.

DO NOT DO IT or lose your license. RESPA violation!!!

You should not do it.

Follow the regulations in your state.

ALLEN TURNER - Ignorance is NOT bliss! 

  Illegal in Florida.  Check with State of California Real Estate Commission for rules.

I don't know about California, but you can't do that in Colorado. 

Tennessee license laws do not allow for any referral fees to be paid to nonlicensees no matter what state they are in.

Don't know about CA, but it's illegal in my state of CT.

Check the rules..I think it clearly states not allowed!! Do you value your license? Do you value what you bring to the table in a transaction? Why do you feel obligated to give away your commission? Would this CA resident give away part of their pay check??

I cannot pay a referral fee to anyone who is unlicenced.

Plain and simple - not allowed and could land you in hot water, or worse. Check the rules

ALLEN TURNER Illegal in my State to pay bird dog fees to non-licensed persons.

In Oregon this would be illegal.  Only licensed Brokers can receive referrals.

Yes it's against the rules.

do not pay referral fees to unlicensed people....

Allen,

CA law does not allow referral fees to be paid to non-licensed individual in real estate.  Whenever we did, we asked for the license # and checked with DRE tnow known as the  BRE whether it was a valid and active one.  Lawyers do not come cheap in California.  A

Sorry I don't know California real estate law.

We can in Washington state...

I would not pay a fee, but maybe a nice Birthday gift.

Referrals that are paid to anyone are an ethical stain that tarnishes this profession in every state. 

But not likely to change since the powers to be have their hands in the cookie jar too. Kind of like congress and campaign finance reform.

Most professions prohibit any kind of compensation for referrals, this ensures that they will be sent to the most qualified rather than the highest bidder.

Here in NH i know we can only pay up to $50 bucks for a non licensed person

Those looking for a back door around this regulation are asking for an invitation in the front door of the Department Of Licensing... revocation of license division.

 A gift card ....

Probably.

Cannot pay a non-licensed agent in CO.

There are limits on what you can pay.  I believe it is $150.  I'd check with the state's legal hotline or the CAR.org website to be safe.

Contact the regulator in California or refer to the relevant laws and regulations.

Someone will be going to jail - it's called practicing real estate without a license... Good luck with that

You bet there are rules!