How to verify a real estate license in Tennessee

Who regulates each trade?

How do you check a real estate agent or broker?

The Real Estate Commission regulates real estate brokers, affiliate brokers, real estate firms, rental location agents and time-share salespersons. Its help page describes Verify Public Search as a tool to “look up a professional license, credential, or registration for an individual or business” and to check “license status, view expiration dates, and see any public disciplinary actions.” The department says results are updated daily.

Search the person and the firm, then compare the name, status and expiration date with the business card or contract. The Commission’s monthly Disciplinary Action Reports are posted as PDFs; at the time of writing, January through September 2026 were listed. Questions go to the Commission at (615) 741-2273 or trec.info@tn.gov.

How do you check a mortgage loan originator?

TDFI defines a mortgage loan originator as an individual who, for compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates terms of one. All MLO license applications, amendments and renewals go through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS), TDFI says. The consumer lookup is NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org), a free public site separate from NMLS itself.

According to NMLS’s description of the site (a 2016 document), a record shows license status by state, the individual’s employment history for the past 10 years as supplied by the individual, and state regulatory actions. It shows only licenses in a reportable status, so a pending application does not appear. Self-reported federal disciplinary information “has not necessarily been verified by NMLS or federal regulators.” TDFI’s licensing office is at (615) 253-6714 or TDFI.licensing@tn.gov.

How do you check a home inspector?

The Home Inspector Licensing Program regulates home inspectors in Tennessee. Check the name in Verify Public Search. Questions go to (615) 741-1831. See what an inspection includes in our home inspection cost guide.

How do you check an appraiser?

Look up the appraiser in Verify Public Search, then in the Appraisal Subcommittee’s Appraiser Registry, where you can filter by credentialing state, certificate type (Certified General, Certified Residential or Licensed) and name. The ASC says the registry lists appraisers a state has authorized to perform appraisals in federally related transactions, that states submit data at least monthly, and that it has not independently verified what states provide. Contact the Tennessee commission at (615) 741-1831 or realestate.appraisers@tn.gov. See the home appraisal cost guide.

How do you check a land surveyor?

Surveyors are regulated by the State Board of Examiners for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. Search Verify Public Search. The board can be reached at (615) 741-3221 or ce.aeboard@tn.gov. See the land survey cost guide.

What if a license is expired, suspended or missing?

• Expired or suspended: do not sign until the person shows the status fixed in the search. The Commission says suspensions for unpaid student loans or child support are released within 2 days of the department receiving the release notice.
• Complaints: any person can file with the department, including for unlicensed activity, and the Commission can pursue criminal prosecution or an injunction. It says it cannot recover money for you.
• Recovery: after a court judgment against a broker, affiliate broker or time-share salesperson, the Education and Recovery Account can pay up to $15,000 per transaction.

For a purchase in Nashville, the same state tools apply. Also see Tennessee seller disclosure.