Start with the person and the state
Get the individual’s legal name and the agency name separately. A business name on a website may differ from the name on the individual’s license. Ask which state license they are using for your transaction and which company would issue the policy.
Use an NPN to narrow a common-name search. If you have only a name, add the relevant state. Compare the name and license number on the result before treating it as the same person. Do not choose a result just because its city or first name looks familiar.
Read more than the word “active”
Open the state’s own record. Check the license type, current status, relevant line of authority and any displayed dates or restrictions. A license in one state or for a different kind of insurance does not answer your specific question.
Confirm the insurer relationship where applicable. A carrier logo on an advertisement, or a carrier name entered by an agent, is not the same evidence as a regulator appointment record or confirmation from the insurer.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Identity | Legal name, individual or agency, NPN and state license number |
| Authority | State, license type, status and relevant line of authority |
| Insurer | Legal company name and appointment/authority confirmation where needed |
| Freshness | Source URL, date viewed and the source’s own data date |
A real record does not authenticate a caller
Someone can send you the name or license number of a real agent. Independently find the agency or insurer’s contact route and ask to be connected to the named person. A screenshot, badge, caller ID or social profile alone does not establish who is speaking.
For example, if a caller supplies a valid NPN but an unfamiliar payment link, keep the license check and payment question separate. Confirm the contact and payment instructions through the insurer or agency before sharing sensitive information.
Check history and keep the limits in view
The NAIC recommends checking both agent and company licensing and asking about complaint information. The information available differs by state; use the regulator’s complaint or enforcement resources when it is not part of the license result.
AgentVerified helps you find source-linked records. It does not rate agents, guarantee conduct or recommend a policy. A successful license check does not tell you whether a policy meets your needs. If a record is missing or inconsistent, resolve the mismatch with the regulator before drawing a conclusion.
Sources and review
Sources reviewed September 28, 2026. Official pages can change. This guide explains how to check records; the state regulator determines license status and requirements. How we maintain these guides.