The correct answer is C, Five. Massachusetts establishes a five-member Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons to administer and enforce the Commonwealth ' s professional licensing framework for real-estate brokers and salespersons.

The Board ' s functions include implementing licensing requirements, establishing professional standards, addressing disciplinary matters, regulating education requirements within its statutory authority, and protecting consumers who engage real-estate professionals.

The Board includes professional and public representation rather than being composed exclusively of industry members. This structure is intended to combine subject-matter expertise with consumer/public oversight.

Candidates should distinguish the Board from professional trade organizations. The Board is a government regulatory body exercising authority granted by Massachusetts law. Organizations such as REALTOR® associations are private professional organizations and do not issue Massachusetts real-estate licenses.

The Board also should not be confused with a local planning board, zoning board of appeals, conservation commission, or Board of Assessors, each of which performs very different governmental functions relating to real estate.

Study Guide Reference: Massachusetts License Law — Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons; Board Composition and Regulatory Authority.