How to verify a real estate license in Arkansas

The five professions at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

The Commission’s Agent Search lets you filter by first name, last name, city, real estate firm, expiration date and valid status. A result shows the agent’s name and address, firm name and phone, license number, continuing education hours and whether the agent took the personal safety course. The license number prefix tells you the title: EB executive broker, PB principal broker, SA salesperson, AB associate broker.

Check three things: the status is valid, the name matches the person you met, and the firm matches the one on the listing or agency paperwork. The License Law requires agents to disclose in writing whom they represent (§ 17-42-108); see seller disclosure in Arkansas. Anyone who offers to act as an agent without a license is presumed to be engaged in unlicensed activity, and the Commission may fine that person up to $5,000 (§ 17-42-109). Owners selling their own property are exempt from licensing (§ 17-42-104).

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

The Arkansas Securities Department handles mortgage banker, broker, servicer and loan officer licensing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The department describes NMLS Consumer Access as a fully searchable public website covering state-licensed mortgage companies, branches and loan officers. You can also use the department’s published list of licensed mortgage companies, branches and loan officers (its latest list on the page is dated September 1, 2026). Search the originator’s name or NMLS ID and confirm that Arkansas is among the states where the person or company is licensed. NMLS Consumer Access refused my automated request, so I could not read its screens myself; the description above comes from the Securities Department’s page. For NMLS questions, the call center number on that page is (855) 665-7123. See also how loans and costs fit together.

Home inspectors

Arkansas registers home inspectors through the Home Inspector Registration Board. Its published requirements include two exams (the National Home Inspector Examination and an exam on the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics), at least 64 hours of instruction plus 16 hours of field training, and at least $100,000 in professional liability insurance. The roster search takes a last name, a first name and a license status (the default filter is “Active”). Hiring a registered inspector means one who has met those steps; see what a home inspection costs.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

Appraisers are credentialed by the Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board in the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, which also offers a roster search for appraisers and appraisal management companies. For a second check, use the Appraisal Subcommittee’s National Registry. Choose “Arkansas” in the Credentialing State dropdown, pick Licensed, Certified Residential or Certified General, and add a name. You normally do not hire the appraiser yourself, because your lender orders it, but you can check the name on the report. For cost, see home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

Surveyors are licensed by the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. In the board’s Individual Roster, a surveyor’s entry lists a Professional Surveyor (PS) license number, issue date, expiration date and a “PS Disciplinary Action” field. Interns are listed in separate sections. For what a survey costs and covers, see land survey cost.

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

• Do not sign or pay. Ask the professional to explain and show current proof. Names on rosters can be misspelled, and a firm may list the person differently.
• Real estate agents. The Commission accepts complaints about a licensed broker or salesperson on its official form, signed before a notary, with copies of the contract and related papers (Commission complaint procedures). If you lost money because of a licensee’s violation, the Commission says you may request a Real Estate Recovery Fund hearing after a disciplinary hearing finds a violation. The maximum payout is $25,000.
• Unlicensed activity. The Commission can impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 and order repayment of fees collected (§ 17-42-109).
• Other trades. Contact the board that appears in the table above. The sources I read do not describe each board’s complaint process, so ask the board directly.