How to verify a real estate license in Oregon

The five trades at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

An individual may not “engage in, carry on, advertise or purport to engage in or carry on professional real estate activity” in Oregon without an active license (ORS 696.020(2)). The Real Estate Agency issues three kinds: real estate broker, principal real estate broker and licensed real estate property manager (ORS 696.022).

Use the Agency’s licensee lookup on eLicense. Search by name and confirm that the status is active and that the person works for the firm you expect. The Agency also posts disciplinary actions on its site. Its phone number is (503) 378-4170.

Escrow agents need their own license under ORS 696.511. The Agency’s escrow pages cover that license. Attorneys acting as attorneys are exempt (ORS 696.520). See also do you need a real estate attorney.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

An individual may not work as a mortgage loan originator in Oregon without a state license and a unique identifier from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (ORS 86A.203). A registered mortgage loan originator acting within the scope of employment is exempt from the license requirement (ORS 86A.203(2)). A licensed originator must show the NMLS number on loan applications, advertisements and websites (ORS 86A.239).

The Division of Financial Regulation tells consumers to check loan originators and mortgage lenders at NMLS Consumer Access. Ask for the originator’s NMLS number, then search it. The DFR consumer hotline is 888-877-4894. For loan paperwork, see closing costs explained.

Home inspectors

An Oregon home inspector must be certified by the Construction Contractors Board, and must own or work for a business that the Board licenses (ORS 701.445). The Board defines the work as inspecting more than one structural component of a residence. Specialists who inspect only one component, such as a roof, or only pests, lead paint or radon, do not need the home inspector certificate. Use the CCB license search; the Board’s home page says “Anyone can pretend to be a contractor. Check licenses.” For what an inspection costs, see home inspection cost.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

Oregon bars anyone from doing real estate appraisal activity without certification, licensure or registration from the Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board (ORS 674.100). An appraiser does not need a real estate license for that work. Appraisers appear in the federal ASC Appraiser Registry, which you can search by state and by credential: certified general, certified residential or licensed. The board’s Salem office can be reached at 503-485-2555, according to the ASC. For what an appraisal is, see home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

“No person shall practice land surveying in this state unless the person is registered” with the State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (ORS 672.025). A registered surveyor must stamp and sign final documents with the Board’s approved seal. OSBEELS offers a license lookup through MyOSBEELS. See land survey cost.

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

1. Do not sign anything that depends on that person. Ask for the license number and search it yourself.
2. Read the status. “Inactive,” “expired” and “suspended” differ, and Oregon statutes prohibit the work without the credential (ORS 696.020(2), 701.445, 674.100, 672.025).
3. Contact the regulator. The Real Estate Agency and DFR publish complaint pages (DFR: 888-877-4894), and the CCB site has an online form to report unlicensed contractors. The ASC site links an appraisal complaint hotline. For the appraiser board and OSBEELS, use the contact details on their sites.
4. Keep records, including ads, texts and the license number you were given.