How to verify a real estate license in Rhode Island

Real estate agents and brokers

The director of business regulation issues licenses to real estate brokers and salespersons, and no license may stay in force more than three years (§ 5-20.5-6). Acting as a broker or salesperson without a license is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $100 to $500, up to a year in jail, or both for an individual (§ 5-20.5-17).

The Department of Business Regulation administers these licenses. I could not open its website on October 13, 2026, so I did not read its license lookup page. Call or visit the Department to confirm that the person and the brokerage are currently licensed, and compare the name on the license to the name on your listing or buyer agreement.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

An individual may not act as a mortgage loan originator for a dwelling in Rhode Island without a state license, and must register with and keep a unique identifier from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (§ 19-14.10-4). The law also requires the originator’s name and NMLS identifier to appear on residential mortgage application forms, solicitations, advertisements, business cards and websites (§ 19-14.10-21). That number is what you use to check the license on the national NMLS Consumer Access site.

Some people are exempt, including an individual negotiating a loan for an immediate family member or secured by his or her own former residence, and attorneys in the situations listed in § 19-14.10-4(b). I could not open NMLS Consumer Access on October 13, 2026, so I did not read it.

Home inspectors

Anyone who presents himself or herself as a home inspector for pay must be licensed, and nobody else may advertise or hold himself or herself out as one (§ 5-65.1-12). The licensing authority is the contractors’ registration and licensing board (§ 5-65.1-2). Licensees must put their license number on advertising, proposals, contracts, inspection reports and invoices, and every written report must tell the client where to send complaints and give the board’s address and phone number (§ 5-65.1-6). Operating without a license is a misdemeanor after a final board order (§ 5-65.1-13). For pricing, see what a home inspection costs.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

The statute reserves the titles “certified” and “licensed” appraiser for people credentialed under chapter 5-20.7, and generally bars others from appraising real property for pay (§ 5-20.7-3). The Rhode Island Real Estate Appraisers Board sits within the Department of Business Regulation (§ 5-20.7-4). There are state-certified residential and general appraisers, state-licensed appraisers and trainees (§ 5-20.7-8). A real estate agent may give an “opinion of value” for a listing or sale, but may not call it an appraisal (§ 5-20.7-3(b)).

The federal Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) runs the national Appraiser Registry, which lists certified and licensed appraisers authorized by a state to do appraisals for federally related transactions. States report to it at least monthly, and the ASC says it has not independently verified the data (ASC). For the cost of an appraisal, see what a home appraisal costs.

Land surveyors

It is unlawful to practice land surveying in Rhode Island, or to use a title that suggests you are a land surveyor, unless you are registered or exempt (§ 5-8.1-14). Registration is administered by the board of registration for professional land surveyors, which operates with the Department of Business Regulation (§§ 5-8.1-2, 5-8.1-4). A registered surveyor holds a certificate of registration. See what a land survey costs.

The five trades at a glance

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

• Do not sign or pay yet. Ask the person to show current proof of licensing.
• Real estate. The director may suspend, revoke or refuse a license for cause and can act on a written verified complaint (§ 5-20.5-14).
• Mortgage originators. The director may deny, suspend, revoke or decline to renew a license, order restitution and impose fines (§ 19-14.10-13).
• Home inspectors. The board may revoke, suspend or refuse a license after a hearing (§ 5-65.1-11).
• Acting without a license is penalized in the real estate, appraiser and home inspector chapters (§§ 5-20.5-17, 5-20.7-21, 5-65.1-13). For legal advice on an existing contract, see our Rhode Island real estate attorney guide.