How do you verify or look up a real estate license?
License verification runs through each state's real estate commission, and most states offer an online license search tool on the commission's website. For checks across states, the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) maintains a license verification database covering 43 jurisdictions.
ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) maintains an international licensee verification database with records from 44 participating regulatory jurisdictions, including Arizona. The database supports manual searches to verify the current license status of real estate practitioners. Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) also provides online services through its Licensee Login portal at azre.gov for license-related transactions.
Sources: ADRE — How to Obtain a License; ADRE — Salesperson License.
Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) provides an online Real Estate Agent Roster Search on its website that allows anyone to search for licensed Arkansas salespersons or brokers by name or firm name. For out-of-state license verification, most jurisdictions furnish licensee information to Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) at www.arello.com.
Sources: AREC — Reciprocal States; AREC — New Applicant Licensing.
The Colorado Division of Real Estate provides a "Search for a Licensee" tool on its website for verifying broker license status. The public can use this tool to look up active, inactive, or expired license information. The Division is part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and is located at 1560 Broadway, Suite 925, Denver, CO 80202.
Sources: CO DRE — Broker Applications, Documents and Fees; Colorado DRE — Broker License Application Requirements.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection maintains an e-Licensing system for license management and offers a Request for License History/Verification form with online submission instructions for official license verification. CT REALTORS® provides a separate "Look Up a Member's Broker" tool on its website that allows searches by first name, last name, or license number to identify a member's sponsoring broker.
Sources: CT DCP — RE Salesperson Initial Exam; CT DCP — RE Salesperson Licensing.
Idaho provides a public license search tool through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) that allows anyone to verify the license status of real estate salespersons, brokers, cooperative licenses, company licenses, and team registrations. Licensees can also log in to the Online Services portal to manage their accounts and review their records. A separate Course Catalog Search is available for finding certified education courses, providers, and instructors.
Sources: Idaho DOPL — REC FAQs & Consumer Info; Idaho DOPL — Real Estate Commission.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) provides an online services portal on its website where you can verify the status of any Illinois real estate license, including broker, managing broker, and residential leasing agent licenses. The Division of Real Estate also offers a CE Lookup tool for tracking continuing education compliance on completed coursework. IDFPR can be reached at 1-888-473-4858 for licensing questions, with offices in Chicago at 555 West Monroe Street and in Springfield at 320 West Washington Street.
Sources: IDFPR – Real Estate Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (Official Document); Illinois Administrative Code – IDFPR Broker License Requirements (ilga.gov).
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency provides a free Search and Verify tool on its website where the public can look up licensed real estate brokers and managing brokers, as well as approved pre-licensing education providers and continuing education providers. Broker transfers, status changes, and activation requests are processed through the agency's MyLicense One online portal. The agency can also be contacted at pla5@pla.in.gov or (317) 232-2960.
Sources: Indiana PLA — Real Estate Licensing Information; Pearson VUE — Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook (March 2025).
The Iowa Real Estate Commission provides a license search portal through the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) website that allows the public to verify whether a real estate licensee is active and in good standing. The commission's online portal also supports applications, renewals, payments, and complaints. All licensing transactions are submitted electronically through the "My Iowa PLB" account system.
Sources: Iowa DIAL — Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam; Iowa DIAL — PSI Licensing Information Bulletin (Iowa Real Estate Commission).
The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) provides a licensee search tool called "Find a License" on its website, along with a license verification tool. These online tools allow the public to look up and verify active real estate licenses. Louisiana statute also authorizes a $25 license verification fee.
Sources: Louisiana Legislature — Statute Text (RS 37:1443).
License verification is available at no charge through the Maine Real Estate Commission's online licensing portal, and the Commission does not issue paper license verifications. Maine's licensee data is also updated weekly in the ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) National Licensee Database, which can be used for nationwide license verification. The Commission's contact information is 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035, phone (207) 624-8521.
Sources: Maine RE Commission — Individual Licenses (Reciprocal Licensing Section); Pearson VUE — Maine Real Estate Candidate Handbook (December 2025).
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons provides a "Check a License" searchable database on its website for verifying real estate licenses. The Board's site also offers license verification and Letter of Good Standing requests as separate services. For newly approved reciprocal applicants, license information appears in the Check a License database within 24 to 48 hours after the license is issued.
Sources: Mass.gov — Apply for Reciprocity as an Out-of-State Real Estate License.
License verification in Michigan is available through the MiPLUS online portal at michigan.gov/miplus. Certified license verifications cost $15 each and can be sent by postal mail or email. A license reprint costs $10. Both services are obtained through the licensee's MiPLUS account.
Sources: Michigan LARA BPL — Real Estate FAQs; Michigan Legislature — MCL 338.2237 (State License Fee Act, Sec. 37), corroborated by LARA Salesperson Licensing Guide.
The Minnesota eLicense portal at mn.gov/elicense provides a license lookup tool for verifying real estate license status. The PULSE portal at pulseportal.com, the electronic system used by the Minnesota Department of Commerce for all licensing services, also allows users to review continuing education (CE) transcripts and check license information.
Sources: MN Commerce — Licensing Education; MN Commerce — RE License Guide PDF.
The Nevada Real Estate Division provides a License Lookup tool on its website that allows anyone to verify the credentials of real estate professionals by entering a name or license number. No login is required to use the tool. Prospective salespersons can also use it to verify the standing of potential sponsoring brokers.
Sources: Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; Nevada RED — Form 501 (Licensing Requirements).
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance provides an online real estate licensee search tool. Users can search by name or 7-digit reference number to verify license status. The tool covers license types including salesperson, broker of record, broker-salesperson, real estate company, and branch office, and displays statuses such as actively licensed, suspended, revoked, surrendered, and inactive. Prospective salespersons can use this tool to verify a potential sponsoring broker's active license status before seeking sponsorship.
Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker; NJ DOBI — Real Estate Licensing and Education Hub.
To verify a New Mexico real estate license, you can request a license history from the New Mexico Real Estate Commission, which provides verification of licensure or disciplinary action for a $25 fee. The commission can be contacted at (505) 476-4622 or RLDRealEstate.Comsn@rld.nm.gov. Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) also maintains a license verification database covering 43 jurisdictions for cross-state license verification.
Sources: NM RLD — Real Estate Commission Fees.
The New York Department of State provides a Public License Search tool on its Division of Licensing Services website that allows anyone to verify whether an individual or business holds an active real estate license. Licensees can also manage their own license information, view exam results, and handle renewal transactions through the eAccessNY portal. The Division of Licensing Services oversees licensure for over 800,000 individuals and businesses across 35 occupations.
Sources: NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022); NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson.
License status can be verified on the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) website by searching the online database using a license number, name, city, or county. The database displays all brokers with both active and inactive license status. Per Rule 58A.0504(a), a broker with an inactive license may not engage in any activity requiring a real estate license. This search is useful for Provisional Brokers verifying a Broker-in-Charge's active status before affiliating.
Sources: NCREC — General Brochure (Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, March 2024); NCREC — Licensing FAQ.
Ohio's eLicense License Lookup tool allows the public to verify a real estate licensee's credentials and license status. Additionally, ARELLO (the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) maintains a Real Estate Licensee Verification Database with records from 44 participating regulatory jurisdictions, including Ohio, providing license verification across state lines.
Sources: Ohio REPL — Broker License Requirements; Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.
The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission (OREC) provides a licensee search tool on its main portal at oklahoma.gov/orec. The portal links to licensing, renewal, continuing education, complaint filing, and a "Search for a Licensee" function. Active licensees can also access their wall certificate and pocket card through the OREC License Portal. OREC can be contacted at (405) 521-3387 or help@orec.ok.gov.
Sources: OREC — Licensing & Exam FAQs; OREC — Obtain a License.
The Oregon Real Estate Agency provides a license lookup tool on its website for verifying the standing of any real estate licensee. The Agency also offers downloadable license and business lists. Users can search by licensee name or license number to confirm active, inactive, or expired status.
Sources: Oregon REA — Get Broker License; Oregon REA — Approved Pre-License Schools.
You can verify a Pennsylvania real estate license through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) at pals.pa.gov/verify. The site allows searches for approved education providers by selecting the Real Estate Commission as the board and choosing the appropriate license type. Individual licensees can also check their own application status in real time through their PALS account. All licensing transactions go through PALS, as the Commission no longer offers paper applications.
Sources: PA Real Estate Commission — Broker Standard Licensure Snapshot; PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide.
License certification or verification requests can be submitted through the SC LLR Licensee Portal for a $5.00 fee. The request can include an emailed version of the certification by leaving a comment in the order. Name and address changes with a new license card require a separate $10 fee through document submission.
Sources: SC LLR — Real Estate FAQ.
The Tennessee Real Estate Commission provides a "Verify a License" tool on its website at tn.gov. Licensees can also request a license certification history through the CORE system at core.tn.gov, which costs $25 per request.
Sources: TREC — License Fees.
Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) provides a license holder search function on its website that allows you to look up a real estate license and check its status. TREC also offers a "Request for Certificate of Active Licensure or Sponsorship History" form for official license verification. The Renewal Education Information page on TREC's website lets license holders check their completed education and outstanding requirements online.
Sources: TREC Fee Schedule Effective December 15, 2025; TREC — Become a Sales Agent.
The Utah Division of Real Estate maintains an online License Management System called MyLicenseOne for managing and verifying real estate licenses. The DRE website at commerce.utah.gov/realestate provides access to this system, where licensees and the public can look up license status and order license histories. The DRE can also be reached by phone at (801) 530-6747 during business hours, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
Sources: Utah DRE — Sales Agent Licensing; Utah Commerce — RE Fee Schedule.
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) provides a License Lookup tool through its Online Services portal that allows anyone to verify a real estate license. The tool confirms whether a license was successfully issued and can verify a sponsoring broker's active license status and firm affiliation. Licensees who need official verification for another state can submit a Certification Request Form to the Real Estate Board, which provides official license information.
Sources: VA DPOR — Real Estate Board; VA DPOR — Real Estate Process PDF.