How to verify a real estate license in South Carolina

Real estate agents and brokers

It is unlawful to act as a real estate broker, associate or property manager, or to advertise those services, without an active, valid license from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission (S.C. Code § 40-57-20). “Associate” is the current word for what the law used to call a salesperson. The Commission’s license types are associate, broker, broker-in-charge and property manager.

How to check: use the Licensee Lookup that LLR links from the Real Estate Commission page (verify.llronline.com). Look the person up by name and compare the result with what you were told, including the license type and the brokerage. The Commission also posts its commission orders on LLR’s site.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

Two state regulators are involved, depending on who employs the originator:

• Mortgage brokers and their loan originators are licensed by the Administrator of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs under the Licensing of Mortgage Brokers Act (§ 40-58-30). A loan originator’s license is not effective while the person is not employed by a licensed mortgage broker.
• Mortgage lenders, servicers and their loan originators are licensed by the State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division, through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). It publishes a list of licensed mortgage lenders, last dated October 2, 2026 when we looked.

How to check: search the person’s name or NMLS unique ID in NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org), the public tool of the national system. Our research environment could not open that site, so confirm its current features on the site itself. The Consumer Affairs licensee lookup page lists mortgage brokers.

Home inspectors

South Carolina requires a license. No one may transact home inspection business or hold himself or herself out as a home inspector without a license from the Residential Builders Commission (§ 40-59-520). Licenses are issued to individuals, not firms. The license must be renewed before July 1 each year (§ 40-59-550), and an inspector’s advertising must show the name, business name, address and license number (§ 40-59-570).

How to check: use LLR’s Licensee Lookup and choose the Residential Builders Commission. A home inspector who has no license cannot sue to enforce an inspection contract (§ 40-59-600). For what an inspection costs, see home inspection cost.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

The Real Estate Appraisers Board licenses and certifies real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies. It is unlawful to use an appraiser title or to appraise or advertise as an appraiser without a valid license from LLR (§ 40-60-30). One exception: a real estate licensee may give a valuation if it is not called an appraisal, and must state that it may not be used to obtain financing in a federally related transaction.

How to check: use LLR’s Licensee Lookup (Real Estate Appraisers Board), then the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) national Appraiser Registry, which lists appraisers a state has authorized for federally related transactions. For fees and what an appraisal covers, see home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

A person may not practice or offer to practice surveying, or use the title “professional surveyor,” without being licensed (§ 40-22-30). A firm needs its own authorization. The State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors regulates both.

How to check: use LLR’s Licensee Lookup (Engineers and Surveyors). For what a survey costs, see land survey cost.

The five trades at a glance

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

• Do not sign or pay yet. Unlicensed home inspection is a misdemeanor, and an unlicensed inspector cannot enforce the contract in court (§ 40-59-600). Unlicensed practice of surveying is unlawful (§ 40-22-30).
• Ask the person. A license may simply be in renewal, or the person may hold it under a different name. Inspector licenses, for example, renew each July 1.
• Report it. LLR takes complaints about its licensees, including through the Real Estate Commission’s complaint page. The Department of Consumer Affairs accepts complaints online for the businesses it licenses.
• Check discipline. Real Estate Commission orders and board orders are posted by LLR.
• Get legal help for money lost. A South Carolina attorney can say what remedies exist; see real estate attorneys in South Carolina.

A license shows a person is registered with the state. It does not rate their work. Our home buying steps show where each professional fits, and our Greenville page covers the state’s main city market.