How to look up a license in District of Columbia

Official license searches in District of Columbia

5 official searches from 8 boards cover the District of Columbia licenses on this site (some boards share one state search). 7 of the rows also link a complaint page.

What each search covers

A board's search lists only its own licenses:

• Board of Barber and Cosmetology: the 3 credentials it issues for cosmetologists, including Cosmetologist, Instructor (cosmetology instructor) and Barber, Cosmetology, or Specialty Cosmetology Shop and Salon Owner.
• Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications: the 3 credentials it issues for notaries, including DC Notary Public (traditional commission), Electronic Notary Endorsement (In-Person Electronic Notarization, IPEN) and Remote Notary Endorsement.
• Board of Nursing: the Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking: the 2 credentials it issues for insurance agents, including Resident insurance producer license, life and health group of lines (life; accident and health or sickness; variable life and variable annuity) and Resident insurance producer license, property and casualty group of lines (property; casualty; personal lines).
• Board of Industrial Trades: the 9 credentials it issues for plumbers and electricians, including Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter, Apprentice Plumber, Master Plumber/Gasfitter or Master Gasfitter, Plumbing/Gasfitting Trade Contractor License, Journeyman Electrician and Apprentice and others.
• Board of Nursing: the Certified Nurse Aide.
• Security Program: the 4 credentials it issues for security guards, including Security Officer, Special Police Officer (SPO), Security Agency Business (SAB) and Security Agency Individual (Business) (SAI).
• Board of Massage Therapy: the Massage Therapist.
• Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection: the 3 credentials it issues for real estate agents, including Real Estate Salesperson, Associate Broker and Real Estate Broker.

How to check a license

Search the board for the work you are hiring for, then check the status, the license type and the expiration date (what to check in the result).

The occupation pages explain what each license level allows: cosmetologists, notaries, registered nurses, insurance agents, plumbers, electricians, nursing assistants, security guards, massage therapists, real estate agents.