Where can I look up a real estate agent's license?

Every state has a real estate commission or licensing board that maintains a public license database. Search '[your state] real estate license lookup' to find the official state site. Enter the agent's name or license number to see their status, license type, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.

What should I look for when checking an agent's license?

Confirm four things: the license is Active (not expired, suspended, or revoked), the license type matches what they're doing (a broker's license differs from a salesperson license), there are no disciplinary actions or complaints on record, and the name matches the agent you're considering. Agents sometimes work under a different legal name than their business name.

Are disciplinary actions always disqualifying?

Not necessarily. A minor administrative issue from 10 years ago with no pattern of complaints is different from multiple recent complaints about misrepresentation. Look at the nature of the issue, when it occurred, and whether there's a pattern. You can ask the agent directly about any record that concerns you — how they respond tells you a lot.

How to Check a Real Estate Agent's License

May 18, 2026

Why License Verification Matters

Any person can hand you a business card and call themselves a real estate agent. Verifying their license takes less than five minutes and confirms they're legally authorized to practice, their license is current, and they haven't had disciplinary action that should give you pause. Skip this step and you're operating on trust alone — in a transaction worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How to Find Your State's License Lookup Tool

The process is the same in every state — only the website changes.

Search Google for "[state name] real estate license lookup" or "[state name] real estate commission license verification"
Click the official state government website (look for .gov domain)
Navigate to the license verification or licensee lookup section
Search by the agent's name, license number, or brokerage

Most states show results within seconds. Some (like California, Texas, New York, and Florida) have particularly detailed public records including disciplinary history, license history, and associated brokerage.

What to Look for in the Results

License Status

Look for "Active" status. An expired, suspended, or revoked license means the agent cannot legally practice. This is a hard stop — do not proceed with an agent whose license isn't active.

License Type

Common license types include:

Salesperson / Sales Associate: Licensed to represent buyers and sellers but must work under a licensed broker
Broker: Additional education and experience qualifications; can operate independently
Broker Associate: Holds a broker's license but works under another broker by choice

Most agents you'll work with hold a salesperson or broker associate license. The license type doesn't determine skill level, but it does tell you their experience level and supervision structure.

Expiration Date

Licenses must be renewed on a regular cycle (typically 2 years). An upcoming expiration isn't a red flag on its own, but a recently expired license that the agent hasn't addressed is worth asking about.

Disciplinary History

This is the most important thing to check. Look for:

Formal complaints filed by clients or the state commission
Consent orders, fines, or probationary periods
License suspension or revocation history
Criminal convictions related to real estate (some states report this)

A clean record going back years is a good sign. Multiple complaints in a short period — especially involving misrepresentation, commingling of funds, or breach of fiduciary duty — are serious red flags.

Cross-Check With NAR Membership

If the agent claims to be a Realtor (a member of the National Association of Realtors), you can verify this at nar.realtor using their name. NAR membership adds a code of ethics accountability layer beyond the state license.

Ask the Agent Directly

After you check their record, it's completely appropriate to ask the agent directly: "I pulled your license record — everything looks clean. Have there been any complaints or issues I should know about?" A trustworthy agent will give you a straightforward answer. One who becomes defensive is worth watching.

Find Pre-Vetted Agents

The Realtor Rankings indexes agents across hundreds of markets with active license status already verified. Browse our cities directory to find agents with clean records and strong track records in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I look up a real estate agent's license?: Every state has a real estate commission or licensing board that maintains a public license database. Search '[your state] real estate license lookup' to find the official state site. Enter the agent's name or license number to see their status, license type, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.
What should I look for when checking an agent's license?: Confirm four things: the license is Active (not expired, suspended, or revoked), the license type matches what they're doing (a broker's license differs from a salesperson license), there are no disciplinary actions or complaints on record, and the name matches the agent you're considering. Agents sometimes work under a different legal name than their business name.
Are disciplinary actions always disqualifying?: Not necessarily. A minor administrative issue from 10 years ago with no pattern of complaints is different from multiple recent complaints about misrepresentation. Look at the nature of the issue, when it occurred, and whether there's a pattern. You can ask the agent directly about any record that concerns you — how they respond tells you a lot.