How to verify a real estate license in Nebraska

Real estate agents and brokers

Under the Nebraska Real Estate License Act, anyone who, for compensation, lists, sells, buys, rents or negotiates real estate for another person must be a licensed broker, associate broker or salesperson (§§ 81-885.01 and 81-885.03).

To check one, use “Search for Licensee or Business” on the Nebraska Real Estate Commission home page. Look for the name, the license type and whether it is active. The Commission’s phone is (402) 471-2004.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

The Department of Banking and Finance says it uses the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) for every entity or individual applying for or renewing a mortgage license. Its mortgage page links to NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) under “Search for a licensed mortgage lender.” We could not open that site ourselves, so check the lookup directly. The Department’s consumer hotline is (877) 471-3445.

Search the originator’s name or NMLS ID and confirm the state license and whether any action is shown. See also private mortgage insurance and FHA loans for the loan types you may be offered.

Home inspectors

Nebraska requires registration, not a license. Since January 1, 2023, a home inspector must register with the Secretary of State before conducting inspections (§ 76-3602). The registration requires:

• a certificate of general liability insurance of at least $250,000 (§ 76-3603);
• a filing fee, capped by statute at $300 and listed by the Secretary of State at $300.

The statutes we read do not require an exam or education, and registration shows insurance and an address for service of process, not a skill test. A violation is a Class IV misdemeanor (§ 76-3605). The Secretary of State’s Home Inspectors page links to the list of registered inspectors; its phone is (402) 471-8606. See home inspection cost.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

The Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board runs a public search by name, county or credential number. Credential types are Certified General, Certified Residential and Licensed Trainee. The same page links to the board’s disciplinary action history. You can also check the federal registry on the ASC site, where each state’s appraiser registry is listed. See home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

The Nebraska Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors licenses surveyors. Its site posts rosters (alphabetical and numerical) rather than an interactive search. The board’s phone is (402) 471-2566. See land survey cost.

The five at a glance

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

Do not sign anything with someone who is not active in the right database. Then report it:

• Agents: the Real Estate Commission lists a “File a Complaint” form on its home page. Section 81-885.03 makes acting without a required license a violation, and the Commission may issue cease and desist orders.
• Loan originators: the Department of Banking and Finance has a complaint process and a consumer hotline.
• Appraisers and surveyors: the appraiser search links to disciplinary history, and the surveyor board posts a complaint form. Contact the board by phone for the appraiser complaint route.
• Inspectors: registration, not a license, so an unregistered inspector breaks the law (§ 76-3605). Contact the Secretary of State.

See also seller disclosure for what an inspection does not replace.