Buying or selling a home is probably the biggest money decision you’ll ever make. So before you sign anything or hand over a deposit, it’s worth two minutes to check one thing: is your agent actually licensed?
Every state keeps a free, public database of licensed real estate agents and brokers. You can look up any agent by name or license number and see whether their license is active, who they work for, and whether they’ve ever been disciplined.
This guide shows you how to do it, what to look for, and where to search in all 50 states plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories.
Why Check an Agent’s License?
Most agents are exactly who they say they are. But a quick search protects you from the ones who aren’t.
Here’s what a license lookup tells you:
- Their license is real and active. It confirms they finished the required classes, passed the state exam, and kept their license current.
- Whether they’ve been in trouble. State records show fines, warnings, suspensions, and revoked licenses. This is public information.
- Who their broker is. Agents have to work under a licensed broker, and that broker is legally responsible for holding your money in a trust account. The state record shows you who that is.
- That they’re not a scammer. Pretending to be a real estate agent is a common trick in wire fraud, where someone impersonates a professional to redirect your down payment. Checking official records confirms you’re dealing with a real person.
How to Look Up a Real Estate License in 4 Steps
Step 1: Get their details
Ask your agent for their full legal name, license number, and brokerage. Most agents list their license number on their business card, email signature, or website bio. If an agent won’t give you their license number, that’s a red flag on its own.
Step 2: Open your state’s official portal
Find your state in the table below. Stick to official state portals — not third-party directories that may show old or incomplete information.
Step 3: Search
Search by license number if you have it. It’s the most accurate way, because names get spelled differently or shortened.
If you only have a name, use their legal name, not a nickname. Search “Robert,” not “Bob.” Search “Katherine,” not “Katie.”
Step 4: Read the record carefully
Check these five things:
- Status — It should say Active. Anything else (Inactive, Expired, Suspended, Revoked) means they can’t legally do the job or get paid for it.
- License type — Are they a salesperson or a broker? Both are fine, but it tells you how much experience they have.
- Expiration date — Make sure it hasn’t passed.
- Brokerage — The company on the state record should match the company on their business card.
- Disciplinary history — Look for a section called Enforcement Actions, Sanctions, or Regulatory History. If there are PDFs attached, open them and read them.
Real Estate License Lookup by State
Find your state below and search by name, license number, or brokerage.
Real Estate License Terms, Explained Simply
- Active — Good to go. They’ve done the required training, passed background checks, kept up with continuing education, and paid their fees.
- Inactive — Their license is valid but they’re not currently attached to a brokerage. They can’t legally represent you or get paid.
- Suspended or Revoked — The state took away their right to practice. This happens after serious violations, fraud, or ethics problems.
- Salesperson (or Agent) — Licensed to help buyers and sellers, but works under a broker’s supervision.
- Broker — Took extra coursework, has years of experience, and passed a harder exam. Can work independently, open a firm, and supervise other agents.
- Realtor® — A licensed agent or broker who is a member of the National Association of Realtors and follows its code of ethics. Important: not every licensed agent is a Realtor®, and not being one isn’t a problem.
- Reciprocity — An agreement that lets an agent licensed in one state get licensed in another without starting over.
What to Do If Something Looks Wrong
Found an inactive status, a brokerage mismatch, or a disciplinary record? Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.
- Ask the agent directly: Renewal paperwork can lag, so a record might be briefly out of date. Ask for proof of active status or a renewal receipt. A legitimate agent won’t mind.
- Call the managing broker: If the agent says they work somewhere but don’t appear on that firm’s roster in state records, call the firm and ask.
- Report unlicensed activity: Doing real estate work without an active license is illegal. Report it to your state’s licensing board using the links above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a real estate license lookup free?
Yes. Every state offers free public license verification. You never have to pay a third-party service to check whether an agent is licensed.
How long does it take?
Usually under two minutes if you have the agent’s license number.
Can I look up an agent in a different state?
Yes. Each state’s database only covers licenses issued by that state, so search the state where the property is located. If your agent works across state lines, they should hold a license in each state.
What if I can’t find the agent at all?
Try searching by last name only, or try alternate spellings. If they still don’t appear anywhere in the state database, ask them for their license number directly and search that. No record at all is a serious warning sign.
Does an inactive license mean the agent did something wrong?
Not necessarily. Agents go inactive when they take a break, switch brokerages, or let paperwork lapse. But they still can’t legally represent you while inactive.
Can I see complaints filed against an agent?
You can usually see resolved disciplinary actions. Pending complaints are often kept private until the state finishes investigating.
Two minutes of checking gives you real peace of mind that the person handling your biggest financial transaction is qualified and legally allowed to do it.
