How to verify a real estate license in Ohio

Which Ohio office checks which professional?

Real estate agents and brokers

No one may act as a real estate broker or salesperson in Ohio without a license, and a person whose license is inactive, suspended, resigned or revoked may not provide services that require one (R.C. 4735.02(A)).

The Division licenses Ohio’s real estate brokers and salespeople, and appraisers. Its lookup tool changed in late 2025. The old eLicense lookup was retired on October 16, 2025, and the Division points users to com.ohio.gov/real (Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing). In its notice, the Department of Commerce said the new system “will only display licensees who have accessed the new portal and claimed their license,” so data takes time to become complete. The Division posts a daily license database file, and says very recent changes may not appear yet. If you cannot find an agent, ask for their license number and confirm it with the Division by phone or email. Do not assume a missing record means no license, or that a found record is current without checking the status and expiration date.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

An individual cannot act as a mortgage loan originator in Ohio without a license from the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. The originator must work for a registered company or one holding a letter of exemption, and only one at a time (R.C. 1322.07(B)). Companies that make, service or broker mortgage loans must register with the Superintendent (R.C. 1322.07(A)).

Check the person on NMLS Consumer Access, which you can search by name, company, NMLS ID or state license number. Ask the originator for the NMLS ID, which is printed on the Loan Estimate and other loan documents.

Home inspectors

Ohio makes it unlawful to conduct a home inspection for pay, or to claim the qualifications to do so, without a home inspector license under Chapter 4764. An inspection must be done under a written contract between a licensed inspector and the client, and must follow the Ohio Home Inspector Board’s rules (R.C. 4764.02). Applicants must show proof of liability insurance, a passed national exam, a board-approved education course and field experience (R.C. 4764.07). For cost and what to expect, see home inspection cost.

The superintendent of real estate and professional licensing issues the license (R.C. 4764.07). Ask for the inspector’s Ohio license number before you hire, and confirm it with the Division.

Appraisers

Ohio’s real estate appraiser board certifies and licenses appraisers under Chapter 4763. A person must be licensed or certified to perform an appraisal for a mortgage loan (R.C. 4763.19(A)). The law does not otherwise stop an unlicensed person from appraising real estate for pay (R.C. 4763.13(F)), so the credential matters most when a lender orders the appraisal. A written appraisal must show the appraiser’s name, license or certificate class and number (R.C. 4763.12(C)).

Check the national ASC Appraiser Registry, which lists “certified and licensed appraisers” that a state has authorized for federally related transactions. State agencies update it at least monthly, and the ASC notes it has not independently verified what states submit. For the cost of an appraisal, see home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

No one may practice or offer to practice surveying in Ohio without being registered or exempt (R.C. 4733.22). A firm that provides surveying services, or uses the word “surveyor” in its name, needs a certificate of authorization from the Board, and must designate registered people in responsible charge (R.C. 4733.16). Work products must carry the registrant’s seal, signature and date, and no one may seal a document after their registration has expired or been revoked or suspended (R.C. 4733.14).

For your own survey, look at the seal and signature on the plat, ask for the surveyor’s registration number, and confirm it with the Board. See what a land survey costs.

What to do if a license is expired, suspended or missing

• Stop and ask. Request the number and a plain explanation before you sign or pay anything.
• Do not use an agent whose license is not active. The law bars inactive, suspended, resigned or revoked licensees from services that require a license (R.C. 4735.02(A)).
• Report the problem to the regulator that issued the license. For real estate licensees, the Superintendent of Real Estate may investigate, and the Ohio Real Estate Commission imposes discipline for misrepresentation, dishonest dealing and other misconduct (R.C. 4735.18).
• Report scams. The Ohio Attorney General’s Help Center takes complaints at (800) 282-0515.

For the other checks in your purchase, see real estate attorney and seller disclosure. In Columbus, start with the Columbus guide.