If a salesperson is offered a $500 bonus from a client, what should the salesperson do?

The correct answer is that a salesperson can accept a bonus from a client if the broker approves it. This aligns with Virginia's real estate regulations, which stipulate that salespersons must operate under the authority of their broker. Any compensation or bonuses received by a salesperson must be disclosed to and approved by their broker to ensure compliance with the law and to maintain transparency within the brokerage.

In practice, this means that while the salesperson may be eligible to receive a bonus, they must seek their broker's approval before accepting it. This policy helps prevent any potential ethical violations and ensures that all financial transactions are properly accounted for within the brokerage’s records.

The other choices are not aligned with these regulations. Accepting a bonus without broker approval could lead to disciplinary action or issues of trust within the brokerage, and stating that a salesperson can never accept a bonus does not reflect the legal framework in Virginia, which allows for bonuses but emphasizes the need for broker involvement. Accepting a bonus "on the side" is also problematic, as it bypasses the necessary oversight and could violate laws regarding disclosure and compensation practices. Lastly, the assertion that a salesperson cannot accept both a bonus and the established commission is misleading; the key issue is obtaining approval from the broker.