California Real Estate License Lookup
Check an agent or broker against the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) record — free, and without an account.
California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
Search by name or licence number. The result shows the licence type, its status, and the expiration date.
Search CA licencesNot a consumer report
Licence status published by a state commission is a public record provided for general reference. It is not a consumer report and may not be used to make employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions. For anything covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, use a licensed consumer reporting agency.
Contact the commission
- Agency
- California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
- Website
- https://dre.ca.gov
- Phone
- (877) 373-4542
Common questions
How do I verify a real estate licence in California?
Use the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) licence search. Enter the licensee's name or licence number and the search returns the licence type, its current status, and the expiration date. The commission's record is the authoritative one — a listing on a brokerage site or a business card is not verification.
Is the California licence lookup free?
Yes. State real estate commissions publish licensee status as a public record, at no charge and without an account. Any site charging you to look up a real estate licence is reselling public data.
Does the same search cover both agents and brokers in California?
Yes. California Department of Real Estate (DRE) licenses both, so one search covers salespersons and brokers. The result names the licence type held, which is how you tell an agent from a broker.
Can I use this to make a hiring decision?
No. Licence status from a state commission is a public record for general reference. It is not a consumer report and cannot be used to make employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions. Use a licensed consumer reporting agency for anything FCRA-regulated.
What if the licence does not appear in the search?
An empty result is not proof that someone is unlicensed. Names are often recorded differently than they are used day to day, and a pending or recently issued licence may not be searchable yet. Try the licence number, then contact California Department of Real Estate (DRE) before drawing a conclusion.