How to verify a real estate license in Montana

The five trades at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

Montana makes it unlawful to act as a real estate broker or salesperson, or to advertise as one, without a license. A single act within the definitions is enough to count as doing business (MCA 37-51-301). The two license types are broker and salesperson. A supervising broker also needs a supervising broker endorsement (MCA 37-51-301(2)).

To check one, use the DLI Licensee Lookup System at ebizws.mt.gov/PUBLICPORTAL, which the Board of Realty Regulation page links to. DLI says the lookup is “a public service,” that it relies on licensees to provide accurate information, and that it does not guarantee the information is accurate, so you are responsible for verifying it. DLI also offers a free License Verification Request by email or mail. You need the professional’s license number.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

A person may not regularly act as a mortgage broker, lender, servicer or loan originator for residential mortgage loans unless licensed or registered through NMLS, unless an exemption applies (MCA 32-9-102). The Division of Banking and Financial Institutions does all of its licensing through NMLS. It says it does not issue paper licenses and tells consumers to verify a provider on NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org). The Division also says loan originators must be sponsored by a Montana-licensed company or branch.

I could not open NMLS Consumer Access from my research tools, so I have not read its search screens. Use the Division’s page to find the link, and search by name or NMLS ID.

Home inspectors

Montana now requires a license. The 2025 Legislature added Chapter 55 to Title 37 (Chapter 481, Laws of 2025): an individual may not practice home inspection without a license (MCA 37-55-103). A home inspection is a compensated physical examination of a dwelling to find major defects in its mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and other essential components (MCA 37-55-101).

An applicant must have completed at least 40 hours of approved instruction, hold membership in a national home inspection association, and carry at least $125,000 in errors and omissions insurance. The association and insurance requirements must be maintained (MCA 37-55-103(2)-(3)). The inspector must give you a written report unless you agree in writing to release the inspector from that duty (MCA 37-55-104).

The law also requires disclosure of financial ties. An inspector may not take a commission from another business associated with you, or fail to disclose a business interest that may affect you (MCA 37-55-104(3)). The Home Inspector Program is part of DLI, and its page links to the Licensee Lookup. Because this license is new, a missing listing may mean the inspector has not been licensed yet. Ask for the license number. Compare inspection costs in the home inspection cost guide.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

Montana uses licensed and certified classes. DLI’s Board of Real Estate Appraisers lists Certified General, Certified Residential, Licensed and Trainee credentials. Only a certified appraiser may prepare and sign a certified appraisal report, and the report must state the class of certification (MCA 37-54-301). A “licensed real estate appraiser” must display the license at the principal place of business (MCA 37-54-201(6)).

An “evaluation” is different from an appraisal. A credentialed appraiser who prepares one must put this disclaimer on the first page: “This is an evaluation not subject to compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice” (MCA 37-54-201(7)). Do not assume an evaluation is an appraisal.

Check the DLI Licensee Lookup, and then the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) Appraiser Registry. Its search takes a state (choose Montana), a certificate type (Certified General, Certified Residential or Licensed), and a first and last name. The ASC tells users to contact the state agency directly to update credentials. For more on the cost of an appraisal, see the home appraisal cost guide.

Land surveyors

Practicing or offering to practice land surveying in Montana, or using a title that suggests you are a professional land surveyor, is unlawful without a license (MCA 37-67-301). The practice of land surveying includes applying property boundary law, measuring lines and angles, monumenting property boundaries, and platting and laying out land subdivisions (MCA 37-67-101(8)). The Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors issues the license, and you search it in the DLI Licensee Lookup. See also the land survey cost guide.

What if a license is expired or suspended?

• Do not sign yet. An expired, suspended or missing license is a reason to pause.
• Ask the professional for the license number and a current renewal. The DLI lookup does not guarantee accuracy, so ask the board if you doubt the result.
• Request a verification from DLI’s License Verification Request form. It is free.
• File a complaint. DLI’s program and board pages include a File a Complaint link. For lenders, contact the Division of Banking and Financial Institutions.
• Use a different professional while the question is open.

For a related legal question, see Montana seller disclosure and Montana foreclosure.