This post was last modified on September 26, 2025.
Buying or selling property is likely one of the biggest financial moves you’ll ever make. That’s exactly why you need to work with a qualified, experienced, and trustworthy real estate professional. Unfortunately, not all real estate agents meet the same standards. Some agents engage in questionable practices, such as providing false property information or adding unauthorized fees to your transaction. These types of scams can result in significant financial losses and can cause a lot of stress and frustration.
Checking a real estate agent’s license helps keep you safe from scams and legal problems. This involves ensuring the broker meets the state’s requirements to operate as a real estate agent. You can do this by checking the California Department of Real Estate’s license lookup tool, which provides information about the broker’s name, license number, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions or restrictions on the license.
Why Do I Need to Verify Someone’s Real Estate License?
Working with a licensed real estate agent can give you peace of mind throughout the buying or selling process. The licensing process requires agents to undergo rigorous training, pass an exam, and adhere to strict ethical and legal standards. Working with a licensed agent protects you from potential fraud and ensures you receive quality service and support throughout the process. Licensed agents use current tools, data, and resources to help you make smart decisions about your property transaction. Additionally, licensed agents must disclose any known property issues or defects, helping you avoid costly surprises. Working with a licensed real estate agent is a smart choice that safeguards your future and shields you from possible legal and financial problems.
As someone studying to become a real estate agent in California, you should know that clients will often ask you to help them verify other agents’ licenses – especially if they’re considering switching agents or working with someone new. Being able to walk them through the DRE lookup process shows your professionalism and builds trust. You’ll also want to regularly check your own license status to make sure it stays current and that there are no issues that could affect your ability to work. Many successful agents make it a habit to help their clients research agents in other areas when they’re referring business, which can strengthen your professional relationships and reputation.
How To Verify a California Real Estate License
Verifying a real estate salesperson or broker’s license is a simple process that can be done online. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has an online license lookup tool that allows you to search by name or license number. Once you find the agent’s record, you’ll see several important pieces of information that can help you make an informed decision.
When you look up a license, pay close attention to the license status and expiration date. An active license means the agent can legally practice, while a suspended or revoked license is a major red flag. Also check the “Date Original License Issued” field – this shows how long they’ve been in the business. While newer agents can be excellent, knowing their experience level helps set realistic expectations. If you see any disciplinary actions listed, read through them carefully. Some violations are minor paperwork issues, but others involve fraud, misrepresentation, or trust fund handling problems. Don’t hesitate to ask the agent directly about any disciplinary history – a good agent will be upfront and explain what happened and how they’ve addressed it.
With that being said, here are the steps you can take to verify a California Real Estate License:
- Go to the California Department of Real Estate’s website (DRE) at https://www.dre.ca.gov/.
- Click on “Licensees” in the top menu bar, then click on “Verify a License” in the dropdown menu.
- On the Licensee Search page, enter the name or license number in the search fields of who you wish to verify and click “Search.”
- Review the search results to find the licensee you are looking for. The search results will show the licensee’s name, license type, license id number, and current license status of the real estate agent.
- Verify the licensee’s information matches what you are expecting. If you have any doubts or concerns, you can find all of the DRE contact information here: https://www.dre.ca.gov/Contact.html
Next Steps
It is illegal for an unlicensed individual to conduct real estate transactions in California. If you end up dealing with a real estate broker that does not have their California real estate License there are steps you can and should take against them. These are the steps you will need to take if you believe you have been dealing with a fraudulent real estate agent:
- Stop working with the unlicensed agent right away: This might seem obvious, but many people keep working with them because they’ve already put money into the deal. However, there are ways to reclaim stolen finances from this person and by ceasing to work with them you will also stop the potential for further loss or more legal issues.
- Seek Legal Advice: If you are suspicious that an agent is operating without a license it is a good idea to speak with a lawyer. They will be able to hopefully investigate your suspicions further and give you advice on what to do next from a legal standpoint.
- Gather information: If you are going to take action against this person it will likely be in the form of a complaint to the Department of Real Estate. This could be emails, texts, bank statements, etc. The more information you are able to provide them with the easier it will be for them to take action.
- Find any Witnesses: If someone witnessed this real estate agent telling you information you now suspect is not true, get their information. Your witness information should include a name, address, phone number, and written statement if possible.
- Fill Out a Complaint Form: The form to file an official complaint with the Department of Real Estate can be found here: https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/forms/re519.pdf. On this form you will be asked to provide a statement about what happened. Do your best to include as much detail as possible such as full names, times, and dates. When your complaint is received it will be reviewed and someone from the DRE will reach out to you with the findings or to request more information if it is needed.
- Testify: You may be asked to testify in court if it is found that the broker is indeed fraudulent. In California, it is illegal to operate without a real estate license so an administrative hearing will likely be held to resolve the matter. If this happens, review your complaint to refresh your mind before and tell the truth about what you experienced.
If there is compelling and clear evidence that the broker is illegitimate then the California bureau will take further steps. The broker will then be seen and possibly disciplined by a judge.
Conclusion
By checking the license of a real estate agent prior to working with them you are ensuring that you are protected legally and that the person that you are working with has all the necessary credentials. It is a quick and easy step to take that can help you avoid a lot of problems in the future.
If you’ve experienced any of these problems, the thought of finding another real estate agent might feel overwhelming. If you’re worried because of a bad experience before, we suggest finding someone with good reviews and happy customers in your area. It is important to remember that if you end up working with an illegitimate real estate agent that it is okay and it is not your fault. People who pose as something they are not are likely highly manipulative and deceitful. You are likely not the first victim, but you can prevent others from experiencing this through taking action and filing a complaint. If you think someone you know may be dealing with an illegitimate real estate broker, consider sharing this information with them and encourage them to investigate.
