How to verify a real estate license in Wyoming

The five trades at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

State law says no one may act as a licensee without a license, and the Commission runs the license process (W.S. 33-28-101 to 33-28-401). The Commission’s home page links to a Verify a License lookup at online.wyrec.org. Use it to confirm the person is licensed and in good standing, and that the license belongs to the brokerage you are dealing with.

Wyoming requires a written relationship disclosure before an agent discusses a sale with you or signs a written agreement. It must explain the agent, intermediary and customer relationships and say that compensation is negotiable (W.S. 33-28-306). An agent working with you should hand it over. A customer cannot be required to sign a written agency agreement just to view or tour real estate during house showings (§ 33-28-306(a)(vii)).

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

A company that does mortgage lending or brokering for a dwelling in Wyoming must be licensed (W.S. 40-23-104), and an individual cannot work as a mortgage loan originator for a Wyoming dwelling without a license and a unique identifier from the national registry (W.S. 40-23-124). Banks, savings associations, credit unions and some others are exempt from the company license (§ 40-23-105).

The Division of Banking’s mortgage page tells consumers to “inquire about any license at NMLS Consumer Access.” That site was blocked to my tools, so I could not read it. Open it yourself and search the originator’s name or NMLS ID. The Division can be reached at (307) 777-7797 or WyomingBankingDivision@wyo.gov.

Home inspectors

I searched the Wyoming Statutes in Titles 1, 2, 4, 26, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 40 for a home inspector license and found none. Title 33, which lists the licensed professions, has chapters for real estate brokers, surveyors and engineers and appraisers, but not inspectors. That is not proof that no rule exists anywhere in Wyoming. Local governments or other agencies may have their own requirements. Ask any inspector what training, standards and insurance they carry, and see what a home inspection costs.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

No one may appraise real estate for pay in Wyoming without certification (W.S. 33-39-101). The board issues certified residential permits (one to four units), certified general permits and trainee permits (§ 33-39-110). The Real Estate Commission’s website covers appraiser permits, and the federal ASC National Registry lets you search by name, state and certificate type (certified general, certified residential or licensed). For the cost and role of an appraisal, see home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

No individual may practice professional land surveying without a license from the board (W.S. 33-29-401). The Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors’ site links to a License Search public portal and a “Complaints and Discipline” page. Check the surveyor before you order a boundary survey; see what a land survey costs.

What to do if a license is expired, suspended or missing

• Real estate licensee or appraiser: the Commission and the appraiser board have authority to investigate violations of licensing law. A formal complaint must be written, signed and notarized, and the Commission cannot accept anonymous complaints. Before filing, it encourages you to call its Senior Investigator at (307) 777-7141, ext. 3.
• Compensation after fraud: a person who wins a court judgment against a licensee for fraud, willful misrepresentation, deceit or conversion of trust funds may petition for payment from the real estate recovery account, capped at $10,000 per petition (W.S. 33-28-202). The suit must start within one year after the cause of action accrued (§ 33-28-203).
• Mortgage originator or lender: contact the Division of Banking (see above).
• Surveyor: use the board’s complaints page.

Do not hire anyone whose license you cannot find. For a Cheyenne purchase, see our Cheyenne guide, and for the full process the home buying steps.