How to verify a real estate license in Iowa

The five professions at a glance

The state’s records page, which lists Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Appraisers, Land Surveyors and Engineers, sends all four to the same search: ia-plb.my.site.com/LicenseSearchPage. It does not list home inspectors.

Real estate agents and brokers

Iowa Code § 543B.1 says no one may perform even “any single act” as a broker for pay, or hold themselves out as a broker, broker associate or salesperson, “without first obtaining a license.” A business entity gets a license only if every member or officer who takes part in the brokerage holds an individual license, and at least one must be a broker (§ 543B.2).

To check, search the person’s name in the Professional License Search and confirm that the license is active and matches the name on your paperwork. The state also publishes board orders and actions on its records page. The commission’s rules moved in June 2026 and now sit at 481—Chapters 2001 to 2022 of the Iowa Administrative Code.

A license also matters for money: under § 543B.30, a person acting as a broker or salesperson cannot sue to collect a commission without alleging and proving they were licensed when the work was done.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

Under Iowa Code § 535D.4, an individual may not act as a mortgage loan originator for Iowa residential property without a license, and each licensed originator must hold a unique identifier from the nationwide system (NMLS). Originators employed by a depository institution (such as a bank) or certain affiliates are registered with NMLS rather than licensed (§ 535D.3). The unique identifier “shall be clearly shown” on applications, solicitations and advertisements, including business cards and websites (§ 535D.19).

The Division of Banking’s License Verification page sends consumers to NMLS Consumer Access, a free search service, and says to look for Iowa licenses of the types it regulates: mortgage banker, mortgage broker, mortgage closing agent, mortgage registrant and individual registrant. Mortgage-related licenses renew on December 1 and expire on December 31. Acting as an originator without a license is a class “D” felony (§ 535D.20). The Division’s phone number on that page is 515-281-4014.

Home inspectors

Iowa Code § 558A.4A defines “home inspector” as a member in good standing of a national home inspectors association, or a person supervised by one. The association must be nonprofit, have members in more than ten states, require 100 inspections and an exam for full membership, and require a code of conduct and continuing education. The same section allows an architect licensed under chapter 544A or a professional engineer licensed under chapter 542B to issue an inspection report.

The chapters read do not create a state home inspector license, and the state’s records page lists no inspector search. What the law does set:

• inspectors must carry errors-and-omissions and general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate, with deductibles of $2,500 or less;
• an inspector cannot do repairs on a house they inspected in the prior 12 months (except radon and wood-destroying insects), or pay a referral fee or kickback to the seller or an agent;
• a report must be in writing and include a scope, material defects and set disclaimers; breaking that rule is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.

So ask for the inspector’s association membership, proof of insurance and a sample report. See our home inspection cost guide.

Appraisers

Iowa’s Real Estate Appraiser Examining Board sits within the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (§ 543D.4). Certificates go to individuals only, never to firms (§ 543D.15). The titles “certified real estate appraiser” and “associate real estate appraiser” may be used only by certificate or registration holders, for appraisals of Iowa property.

Look the appraiser up in the state portal, then use the federal Appraiser Registry at asc.gov, which you can filter by credentialing state, certificate type (Certified General, Certified Residential or Licensed) and name. Your lender usually orders the appraisal (see our appraisal cost guide).

Land surveyors

No one may practice land surveying in Iowa unless they are a licensed professional land surveyor (§ 542B.1). The practice includes setting property-line monuments and making surveys to divide land (§ 542B.2). Check the license in the state portal. See our land survey guide.

What if a license is expired, suspended or missing?

• Do not sign an agreement with an unlicensed person for work that requires a license. Brokers can be disciplined or lose their license for fraud or “unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public” (§ 543B.29).
• Check the dates. For mortgage licenses, an expiration of December 31 that has passed means the person should not be originating.
• Report it. The Division of Banking has a “File a complaint” page, and the state’s records page links board orders and actions. For all complaints, keep your documents.