How to verify a real estate license in Missouri

Quick reference

Real estate agents and brokers

A person who acts as a real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson, or advertises as one, needs a license from the commission (RSMo § 339.020). The Commission’s page links to its Licensee Search on the state’s MOPRO site, at mopro.mo.gov/license/s/license-search, and to a page of disciplinary actions.

Check three things: the license type (broker or salesperson), that the status is active, and the brokerage the agent works under. A salesperson works under a designated broker (RSMo § 339.710). The commission may bring a complaint against a licensee for, among other causes, “suppression, concealment or omission of material facts” (§ 339.100.2). Section 339.780 requires written agreements for the brokerage relationships it lists, so ask to see yours before you sign.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

Since July 31, 2010, a license is required for residential mortgage originators in Missouri, with exceptions that include originators employed by depository institutions, according to the Division of Finance. Section 443.706 requires each licensed originator to register with and keep a unique identifier from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR). Ask your loan officer for that NMLS number and look it up on the federal NMLS Consumer Access site (nmlsconsumeraccess.org). I could not open that site from my research tools, so I have not read its current search instructions.

The Missouri Division of Finance licenses mortgage companies and originators; the “director” in the statute is the director of the Division of Finance (§ 443.703).

Home inspectors

The Division of Professional Registration publishes a list of the professions it licenses. Home inspectors do not appear on it, and I found no Missouri statute that licenses them. That means a state license search will not return one. Ask an inspector for proof of training, any association membership, insurance and sample reports, and see our home inspection cost guide.

Appraisers

Missouri licenses and certifies real estate appraisers through the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission (RSMo §§ 339.500 to 339.549). Unlike Massachusetts or Wisconsin, Missouri does more than protect the title: it is unlawful to act as a real estate appraiser, or to hold yourself out as one, without a license or certificate from the commission (§ 339.501(1)). The statute lists exceptions, including an owner appraising their own property, a licensed broker preparing a comparative market analysis or broker price opinion, and employees of federal or state-regulated lending institutions (§ 339.501(5)). The titles “state-licensed real estate appraiser” and “state-certified real estate appraiser” may be used only by a person licensed or certified by the commission (§ 339.505). Licensed and certified appraisers and trainees must follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (§ 339.535).

Look up an appraiser on the MOPRO search, and also on the federal Appraiser Registry run by the Appraisal Subcommittee (asc.gov). The ASC site also lists an appraisal complaint hotline. If a lender orders the appraisal, you usually do not choose the appraiser; see what an appraisal costs.

Land surveyors

Section 327.272 defines a professional land surveyor’s work, which includes locating boundaries, setting monuments, subdividing land and preparing property descriptions, and covers anyone who uses the title “surveyor” in a way implying they are a professional land surveyor. The board that licenses them also regulates architects and engineers. Search for a surveyor on the MOPRO search page the board links to, and confirm the license is current before you pay for a boundary survey. Our land survey cost guide explains what a survey includes.

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

1. Do not sign anything until you confirm the status in the official search.
2. Check disciplinary records. The Real Estate Commission and the Appraisers Commission each link to a discipline page from their site.
3. Complain to the right regulator. The commission and boards above take complaints against their licensees. For a mortgage originator, contact the Division of Finance; the ASC site lists an appraisal complaint hotline.
4. Get legal advice if you have lost money. See whether you need a real estate attorney.