How to verify a real estate license in Washington

The five trades at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

State law makes it unlawful to act as a real estate broker, managing broker or real estate firm without a license (RCW 18.85.331). The DOL’s License Lookup is at professions.dol.wa.gov. You can search by name, license number, license type or location. Some licenses do not list a street address, so a location search can miss them.

The DOL says brokers perform brokerage services for firms and are supervised by managing brokers. A compensation lawsuit is not allowed unless the person proves they were licensed before offering to perform the transaction (RCW 18.85.331). To file a complaint about a broker, call the DOL at 360-664-6484 or email dolbpdcomplaints@dol.wa.gov (DOL, as of October 2026).

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

A person may not act as a mortgage broker or loan originator without a license under chapter 19.146 RCW, unless exempt (RCW 19.146.200). The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) sends consumers to NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) to verify mortgage lenders, brokers and loan originators. DFI’s number for help is 1-877-746-4334. Ask for the originator’s NMLS ID in writing and search that number rather than a name alone. The federal consumer rules that apply to loan quotes are covered in closing costs explained.

Home inspectors

Washington has licensed home inspectors since September 1, 2009. A person may not conduct or advertise a home inspection business without a license (RCW 18.280.020). The statute requires the license number to appear on all advertising, correspondence and documents about an inspection (RCW 18.280.100). Licenses run two years and expire on the holder’s second birthday after issue (RCW 18.280.090). A licensed inspector’s duties cover a visual, noninvasive inspection of readily accessible systems (RCW 18.280.030). A licensed inspector may not, for one year after the report, perform repair work on the home they inspected, other than inspection-related consultation (RCW 18.280.120). Look the license up on the DOL lookup. For prices see home inspection cost.

Appraisers (state and national registry)

Only a state-certified or state-licensed appraiser may receive pay for a real estate appraisal, and no one else may prepare one for property in Washington, apart from a state-registered trainee under supervision and a few exceptions (RCW 18.140.020). Certified and licensed appraisers must put their credential number on appraisal reports (RCW 18.140.140). The DOL issues the credentials. You can also search the ASC Appraiser Registry, which covers all 50 states, can be filtered by state and credential number, status and credential type, and can filter for disciplinary actions that limit the ability to appraise: suspension, revocation or voluntary surrender. For current status, the ASC points users to the state agency. For cost, see home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

Practicing or offering to practice land surveying in Washington requires registration under chapter 18.43 RCW (RCW 18.43.010). The DOL lists the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as the contact for questions about these licenses, and its License Lookup covers them. Surveyors must sign, date and stamp plans, plats and reports with their seal (RCW 18.43.070). For prices see land survey cost.

What to do if a license is expired or suspended

1. Do not sign a contract or pay a deposit until the status is clear. Lookup data can lag a day, so call the issuing agency if a record looks wrong.
2. Ask the professional for their license number and compare it with the record.
3. For brokers, the DOL takes complaints at 360-664-6484. For loan originators, DFI at 1-877-746-4334. For appraisers, the state agency is the source of record, as the ASC does not change records itself.
4. A broker who was unlicensed cannot sue to collect compensation (RCW 18.85.331).