How to verify a real estate license in Utah (5 professions)

The five professions at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

Without a license, it is “unlawful” to engage in, act in the capacity of, or advertise as a principal broker, associate broker or sales agent for Utah real estate (§ 61-2f-201). The license search at secure.utah.gov/rer/relv/search.html covers “Real Estate” and “Appraiser” profession options. You can search by name or company name, or by license number. A core number shows all licenses a person holds. The page I read describes the search options but does not say what a result displays, so open the record and note the license type, the brokerage and any status line it shows.

Owners selling their own property need no license (§ 61-2f-202), so no record is expected for a for-sale-by-owner seller.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

A person may not transact the business of residential mortgage loans without a license under Utah’s mortgage act, and the license applies to both the individual and the entity the individual works for (§ 61-2c-201). The Division of Real Estate runs mortgage licensing. Its mortgage page offers two lookups: “Look Up a License,” which links to NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org), and “Verify a License,” which links to the state search above. Use the NMLS number on the loan estimate or the lender’s website to search. I could not open NMLS Consumer Access from my research tools, so I cannot describe what its results show.

Know the limits: the Division’s complaint page says its mortgage jurisdiction is limited to originating residential, retail, first mortgages. Banks, credit unions, loan servicing and second mortgages fall under the Department of Financial Institutions.

Home inspectors

Utah Code § 58-56-9, effective January 1, 2026, says “a private home inspector shall be currently licensed by the division.” The Division of Professional Licensing’s page says the license was created in 2025, that it “will grant a grace period until May 1, 2026, before enforcing the new licensure requirement,” and that applicants must show liability and errors-and-omissions insurance of at least $500,000 each and certification from ASHI, InterNACHI or the ICC (Residential Combination Inspector). Its lookup at secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html lists “private home inspection” among 67 professions. Search by name or license number. Before you hire, see home inspection cost.

Because the licensing requirement is new, an inspector who worked before 2026 may not appear yet. Ask for the license number.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

It is unlawful to prepare an appraisal for valuable consideration in Utah without being licensed or certified under the appraiser act (§ 61-2g-301). A Utah agent who gives a listing-price or purchase-price opinion to a seller or buyer is excepted. That opinion is not an appraisal.

Check the Division of Real Estate search with the “Appraiser” profession option. For a second check, the federal Appraisal Subcommittee Appraiser Registry (asc.gov/appraiser) lets you search by state and name, and lists the certificate type: Licensed, Certified Residential or Certified General. It says changes to credentials go through the state agency. See home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

A license is required to practice professional land surveying in Utah (§ 58-22-301). The Division of Professional Licensing’s lookup includes the “engineering and land surveying” profession. Search the surveyor’s name, then confirm the classification reads professional land surveyor. For prices and what a survey shows, see land survey cost.

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

• Do not sign yet. The law makes unlicensed practice unlawful for agents (§ 61-2f-201), lenders (§ 61-2c-201) and appraisers (§ 61-2g-301). Ask the professional to explain the status, or choose someone else.
• Report real estate, mortgage and appraisal problems to the Division of Real Estate at commerce.utah.gov/realestate/submit-a-complaint or (801) 530-6747. It says it “may not be able to act on complaints submitted anonymously,” shares complaints with the person complained about, and treats them as public records under GRAMA. It does not handle landlord-tenant, contract or damage disputes, and “does not mediate or resolve professional or personal disputes.” For money damages it suggests an attorney.
• Inspectors and surveyors: contact the Division of Professional Licensing at (801) 530-6628. Under § 58-56-9(4) it may refuse, suspend or revoke a license and issue cease and desist orders. I did not find a separate public complaint page for these trades.