People search · 4 min read

How to verify a professional license

Short answer

Most licensed professionals can be checked for free on an official database: DocInfo for physicians, Nursys for nurses, the state bar for lawyers, BrokerCheck and the SEC's IAPD for financial professionals, NMLS Consumer Access for mortgage lenders, and the IRS preparer directory for tax preparers.

Official lookups

Doctors: DocInfo.org (Federation of State Medical Boards), plus your state medical board for discipline details.
Nurses: Nursys QuickConfirm.
Lawyers: your state bar's attorney search.
Brokers: FINRA BrokerCheck.
Investment advisers: SEC IAPD.
Mortgage lenders and loan officers: NMLS Consumer Access.
Tax preparers: IRS directory of federal tax return preparers (credentialed preparers).
Contractors: your state or county licensing board (how to verify a contractor).

Check their name

Private search. Nobody is notified.

What to look for

The license is active and in the right state.
Disciplinary actions, complaints or restrictions.
The name and photo match the person you are dealing with. Scammers impersonate real licensed professionals.

Questions

Someone gave me a license number. Is that enough?

Look it up yourself on the official database and make sure the name and location match. Impersonators borrow real license numbers.

Know who you are dealing with

Search a name, phone number or email to see public profiles and records.

Sources

Keep reading

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Published 2026-10-28 by the TrueSearch Safety Team. General information, not legal advice. In an emergency call 911.

TrueSearch is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Do not use TrueSearch or anything on this page to make decisions about employment, housing or tenant screening, credit, insurance, or any other FCRA-covered purpose. Results come from publicly available information and licensed telecom data and may be incomplete or out of date.