In short
Idaho agents, appraisers and land surveyors are all searchable at one free state portal run by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Loan officers are licensed by the Idaho Department of Finance and tracked in the federal NMLS. Acting as a broker or salesperson without a license is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $5,000 and up to one year in jail (Idaho Code § 54-2065).
The professions and where to check them
| Profession | Who licenses | License types (Idaho law) | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate agent / broker | Idaho Real Estate Commission (DOPL) | Salesperson, associate broker, designated broker | DOPL “Search for a License” |
| Mortgage loan originator | Idaho Department of Finance | Licensed MLO with a unique NMLS identifier | NMLS (via Department of Finance) |
| Home inspector | See below | None found | Ask for credentials and references |
| Appraiser | Real Estate Appraiser Board (DOPL) | Licensed residential, certified residential, certified general | DOPL search, plus the federal ASC registry |
| Land surveyor | Idaho Board of Licensure of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (DOPL) | Professional land surveyor | DOPL search |
DOPL’s search is at edopl.idaho.gov. For questions, DOPL’s licensing staff can be reached at (208) 334-3233.
Real estate agents and brokers
Idaho Code § 54-2002 says no one may act as a real estate broker or salesperson “without an active Idaho real estate license.” A single act within the statutory definition is enough to count as doing business. An individual may be licensed as a salesperson, an associate broker or a designated broker (§ 54-2011). Look for the word active, then check who the supervising broker is.
The DOPL page for the Real Estate Commission links to the search and to a complaint form. If an agent defrauds you, Idaho also has a real estate recovery fund: after you win a final court judgment for fraud, misrepresentation or deceit, you may petition for payment of actual damages up to $10,000 per licensee per calendar year (§ 54-2071).
Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)
Idaho Code § 26-31-304 says an individual may not act as a mortgage loan originator for a dwelling in Idaho without a license, and each licensee must register with and keep a unique identifier from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). Exemptions include registered loan officers of banks and credit unions, people dealing with immediate family, and individuals financing their own residence.
The Department of Finance states that “All mortgage licensing is handled through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS).” Use NMLS Consumer Access, the public lookup the Department of Finance lists, and search the loan officer’s name or NMLS ID. We could not open NMLS Consumer Access from our systems, so we do not describe its screens here. For Idaho licensing questions, the Department of Finance lists 208-332-8002. See also how federal rules shape closing costs.
Home inspectors
DOPL’s published list of boards and licensed professions does not include home inspectors, and we found no chapter of Idaho’s licensing statutes that we read covering them. We therefore cannot point you to a state license lookup. Before hiring, ask for the inspector’s training, any association membership, insurance and a sample report, and see what a home inspection costs. Confirm the position with DOPL if it matters to your decision.
Appraisers (state board and national registry)
Idaho Code § 54-4103 makes it unlawful to appraise real estate in Idaho, or to use the title “state licensed” or “state certified” appraiser, unless licensed or certified by the Real Estate Appraiser Board. The three credentials are state licensed residential, state certified residential and state certified general (§ 54-4110). DOPL also lists a trainee license.
Check the appraiser in the DOPL search. The federal Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) keeps a national Appraiser Registry at asc.gov/appraiser with a state filter that includes Idaho. Real estate brokers may give a written broker’s price opinion, but it may not be used as an appraisal in a federally related transaction (§ 54-4105). For costs, see what a home appraisal costs.
Land surveyors
Idaho Code § 54-1201 requires a license to practice professional land surveying on any project in the state, or to use a title implying one. The board must keep a public electronic roster of all licensed professional land surveyors (§ 54-1211). Search it through the DOPL license search. For pricing, see what a land survey costs.
What to do if a license is expired or suspended
- Do not sign anything with an unlicensed agent. Unlicensed brokering is a crime under § 54-2065.
- Ask the professional whether the lapse is a paperwork delay, and ask for a written correction before you continue.
- File a complaint. DOPL offers a “File a Complaint Against a Licensee” link for real estate, appraisers and surveyors. For loan officers, contact the Department of Finance.
- Keep records of the contract, payments and messages. A fraud judgment is the first step to a recovery fund claim.
Related: Idaho closing costs and home-buying steps.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I look up an Idaho real estate license?
DOPL’s “Search for a License” portal covers real estate licensees, appraisers and land surveyors. Look for an active status.
How do I check a mortgage loan officer in Idaho?
Search the NMLS, which the Idaho Department of Finance uses for all mortgage licensing. Idaho law requires licensed originators to hold an NMLS identifier (§ 26-31-304).
Does Idaho license home inspectors?
DOPL’s list of boards does not include them, and we did not find a licensing statute for them. Check with DOPL to be sure.
What happens if someone practices without a license?
Acting as a real estate broker or salesperson without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, or both, plus civil penalties (§ 54-2065).
Can I get money back if a licensed agent defrauds me?
Possibly. After a final court judgment for fraud, misrepresentation or deceit, you may petition for up to $10,000 per licensee per year from the real estate recovery fund (§ 54-2071).
More Idaho guides
- Closing costs in Idaho: what buyers and sellers pay
- Real estate transfer tax in Idaho: what you pay instead
- Idaho property tax: how it works and what the homestead saves
- Seller disclosure requirements in Idaho
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Idaho?
- How does foreclosure work in Idaho, and how long does it take?
- Home prices in Idaho and Boise: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Idaho and Boise
- Community property and buying a home in Idaho
Sources
- Idaho Real Estate Commission (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Real Estate Appraiser Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, list of boards and license search (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 20, Idaho Real Estate License Law, §§ 54-2002, 54-2011, 54-2065, 54-2071 (Idaho Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 41, Idaho Real Estate Appraisers Act, §§ 54-4103, 54-4110 (Idaho Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 12, Engineers and Surveyors, §§ 54-1201, 54-1211 (Idaho Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Idaho Code Title 26, Chapter 31, Idaho Residential Mortgage Practices Act, §§ 26-31-304, 26-31-305 (Idaho Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Mortgage Loan Originators (Idaho Department of Finance) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Mortgage (Idaho Department of Finance, Consumer Finance Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Appraiser Registry (Appraisal Subcommittee, FFIEC) (consulted October 13, 2026)