Direct answer
What does fiduciary mean?
A fiduciary is a person who owes duties of trust, loyalty and care to another person within the scope of their relationship.
Exam cue: For New York agency questions, connect loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, obedience, reasonable care and accounting to the client.
What does it look like in a question?
Example
A buyer's agent protects the buyer's confidential negotiating position while following lawful instructions.
Common exam trap
What should you not confuse it with?
A fiduciary duty to a client does not permit dishonesty or concealment of a material fact from others.
Related agency terms
Sources used3 references with section locators
The curriculum citation confirms exam scope. Definition and rule citations support the explanation itself.
- Real Estate Salesperson 77-Hour CurriculumNew York State Department of StateSupports: Exam scopeSection: Subject 2, Law of Agency
- Real Property Law section 443New York State SenateSupports: New York ruleSection: Definitions, disclosure timing and statutory disclosure forms
- Real Estate License Law, March 2026New York State Department of StateSupports: DefinitionSection: Department of State reference glossary entry for Fiduciary
Keep learning
Put the term back into its full subject.
A definition helps with recall. The subject guide shows how the rule interacts with documents, scenarios, calculations and practice questions.