Professional License
How to Verify a Real Estate Agent's License
Real estate licenses are issued and regulated at the state level. There is no federal database — verification goes through the state real estate commission where the agent is licensed and practicing. Here is how to confirm status quickly.
Quick answer
Search the state real estate commission in the state where the agent is practicing — every state has a free public license lookup. For a cross-state starting point, try the ARELLO Licensee Lookup (arello.org), which aggregates data from multiple participating states. If the agent claims to be a Realtor (NAR member), verify at nar.realtor/find-a-realtor.
Agent vs. broker: what you're verifying
Real estate licensing distinguishes between agents (salespeople) and brokers:
| License Type | What It Means | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson / Agent | Can represent buyers and sellers; must work under a licensed broker | Pre-license course + state exam + sponsoring broker |
| Broker Associate | Holds broker license but works under another broker | Additional experience + broker exam |
| Broker / Managing Broker | Can operate independently, own a brokerage, supervise agents | Experience requirement + broker exam |
Step 1: State real estate commission lookup
Go directly to the state real estate commission (also called real estate division or real estate regulatory office) in the state where the agent is practicing. All state commissions maintain free public license lookup tools.
A license lookup returns: active/inactive/expired status, license type, issue date, expiration date, brokerage affiliation, and any disciplinary actions or sanctions on record.
Key state real estate commission portals
- California: CA Dept. of Real Estate — dre.ca.gov/LicenseeInfo
- Texas: TX Real Estate Commission — license.trec.texas.gov
- Florida: FL DBPR — myfloridalicense.com
- New York: NYS DOS — dos.ny.gov/licensing
- All states: ARELLO Licensee Lookup — arello.org
Step 2: ARELLO Licensee Lookup
The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) maintains a Licensee Lookup tool (arello.org) that aggregates data from participating state real estate commissions. It is a useful starting point for multi-state checks or when you are unsure which state to search.
Not all states participate in ARELLO's aggregated lookup. If your state does not appear in results, go directly to the state commission portal.
Step 3: Realtor membership verification (optional)
"Realtor" is a trademarked designation for members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) — it is not a license type. Not all licensed real estate agents are Realtors. If an agent claims Realtor status, verify at nar.realtor/find-a-realtor.
Realtor membership requires adherence to the NAR Code of Ethics and professional standards. NAR membership does not replace state license verification — verify both separately.
Red flags to check
- No license found: The agent is operating illegally. Do not engage.
- License expired: Common — agents sometimes let licenses lapse between transactions. Expired means they cannot legally represent you.
- License inactive or on referral-only status: They may not be authorized to complete transactions in the normal course.
- Disciplinary actions visible: Review the specific action. Not all discipline is disqualifying, but fraud, misrepresentation, or license revocation orders are serious.
- Not associated with a brokerage (for agents): Salesperson licenses require active broker sponsorship. An unaffiliated agent license is a red flag.
Verifying credentials for real estate professionals
Many real estate leadership roles require specific educational backgrounds. Use VerifyED to confirm degrees and institutional accreditation for real estate management, property management, and brokerage hiring decisions.
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