Which fiduciary duty requires the licensee to place the client's interests above their own?

• A. Loyalty
• B. Confidentiality
• C. Accounting
• D. Care

Answer: (A)

Loyalty is the fiduciary duty that requires the licensee to put the client's interests above their own. In real estate, loyalty means acting with allegiance to the client, avoiding conflicts of interest, and prioritizing the client’s objectives in all negotiations and decisions. That level of commitment is what this duty demands, which is why it best answers the question. Confidentiality protects information shared by the client; accounting involves handling funds properly; and care refers to using reasonable skill and diligence. Each of these is important, but they don’t specifically require placing the client's interests first in every situation the way loyalty does.