Agents, brokers, and appraisers
Anyone who helps buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants with a real estate transaction for compensation generally needs a license from the state real estate commission or department. Most states license at least two levels: salespersons or agents, who must work under a supervising broker, and brokers, who can operate independently and supervise others. Some states license only brokers and call every licensee a broker, with associate brokers working under a managing broker.
Licenses are tied to the state where the property is located, not where the agent lives. A buyer purchasing out of state should verify that the agent is licensed in the property's state. Some states offer reciprocity or cooperation agreements, but those vary and still result in a license record in the state where the agent practices. A lookup also shows the brokerage the agent is affiliated with, which is useful when you need to confirm who is responsible for supervising the transaction.
Real estate licenses are renewed on a cycle set by each state, commonly every one to four years. Most states require continuing education for renewal, frequently including required topics such as law updates, ethics, fair housing, and agency. Newly licensed agents in many states must complete post-licensing education within a set time after their first license. The required hours and course topics differ, so confirm the specifics with the state commission.
If you are about to wire earnest money or a down payment, use the commission lookup to confirm the brokerage name and then call the brokerage or title company at a phone number you find independently, not one supplied in an email. Wire fraud schemes often impersonate real agents, and the license record gives you a trusted starting point for confirming who you are dealing with. Keep a copy of the record with your transaction file.