How to verify a real estate license in Illinois (5 trades)

The five trades at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

Illinois has three license levels for people who help others buy, sell or lease: managing broker, broker and residential leasing agent. It is unlawful to act as one, or to advertise as one, without a license “and a valid sponsorship registered with the Department” (225 ILCS 454/5-15). Brokers must complete 75 hours of approved real estate courses and pass the state exam (225 ILCS 454/5-27).

To check: open IDFPR’s License Lookup, choose “REAL ESTATE,” and search by name or license number. The form defaults to “Active licenses only,” so change the status if you want to see an expired or inactive license. The Department can fine licensees up to $25,000 and suspend or revoke licenses (225 ILCS 454/20-20). IDFPR also posts enforcement actions on its site.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

An individual may not act as a mortgage loan originator without a license from the IDFPR Director, unless exempt, and each licensee must keep a valid unique identifier from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) (205 ILCS 635/7-1A). Exemptions include someone negotiating a loan for an immediate family member or on a home that was his or her own residence, and an attorney who negotiates a loan as a minor part of representing a client. Ask the originator for the NMLS ID printed on the Loan Estimate or in the email signature, then search it on NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org). We could not open that site from our research tools today, so confirm the screens and search fields yourself.

For how federal forms work after you apply, see closing costs explained.

Home inspectors

It is a crime to act as, or advertise as, a home inspector in Illinois without a license: a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony after that (225 ILCS 441/5-5). Code officials acting for a government and people licensed under another Illinois law who work within that license are exempt. Search IDFPR’s License Lookup under “HOME INSPECTOR.” The statute text we read says the Act is scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027, so check the General Assembly site for any extension. See home inspection cost.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

Illinois bars anyone from acting as, or advertising as, a state certified general appraiser, certified residential appraiser or associate real estate trainee appraiser without a license (225 ILCS 458/5-5). Search IDFPR under “APPRAISAL.” You can also search the Appraisal Subcommittee’s national Appraiser Registry, which lists appraisers authorized by a state to perform appraisals in federally related transactions; the registry says to contact the state agency to update credentials. This Act also carries a January 1, 2027 repeal date in the text we read. See home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

A person who practices, offers to practice or holds out as a professional land surveyor or surveyor intern without being licensed or exempt faces a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per offense (225 ILCS 330/16). A licensed surveyor must seal documents with a seal that shows the name, place of business, license number and the words “Professional Land Surveyor, State of Illinois” (225 ILCS 330/15). Check the license number from the seal in IDFPR’s lookup under “LAND SURVEYOR BOARD.” See land survey cost.

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

1. Do not sign a contract or pay a fee until the license shows as active.
2. Search again with the exact license number, and change the lookup’s status filter to see expired or inactive records.
3. Check IDFPR’s published enforcement actions for the person or company.
4. If someone is practicing without a license, file a complaint with IDFPR (its Check a License and File a Complaint pages explain how).
5. For closing day questions, see real estate attorney.