The rules for licensing business brokers vary significantly across countries. In the United Kingdom, there is currently no licensing system or formal requirements to practice as a business broker. By contrast, in Australia, business brokers must be licensed similarly to real estate agents, with state licensing bodies overseeing the process.

In certain types of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), particularly those involving securities, brokers may need to hold securities licenses to receive compensation. However, a 2022 legal change in the U.S. exempted smaller transactions from this requirement. In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines a broker as any person engaged in effecting securities transactions on behalf of others. Equivalent regulatory authorities include the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the U.K. and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in the EU.

These variations highlight the importance for business brokers and their clients to understand local regulations and licensing requirements, particularly when engaging in cross-border or securities-related transactions.