Final answer:
Broker Bob can pay a referral to a friend if it complies with real estate regulations, and the friend may need to be licensed depending on jurisdiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Broker Bob can pay his friend a referral for helping him obtain a listing, typically as long as the payment complies with real estate regulations and laws. Depending on the state or country, the friend may need to be a licensed real estate agent or broker to legally receive a referral fee.
Furthermore, the agreement should be transparent and often needs to be disclosed to all interested parties. It's important that Broker Bob follows the appropriate legal requirements to avoid any potential conflicts of interest or breaches of professional ethics.