if I find tenants for a landlord and I get a fee, is that being a real estate agent? Can I do that or do I need to be a real estate agent?

Originally posted by @Account Closed :

if I find tenants for a landlord and I get a fee, is that being a real estate agent? Can I do that or do I need to be a real estate agent?

 Yes. Anytime that you bring two unrelated parties together to conduct a transaction and earn a fee, that is considered to be brokering and you must be licensed by your state to do so.

California realtors may get a referral fee. Often way way less than you think. That goes to the brokerage not realtor.