Professional and occupational licenses in North Carolina are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in North Carolina.
What this page covers: North Carolina professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).
Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for North Carolina. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.
Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.
Licenses Databases
68 official North Carolina licenses sources.
Licenses
North Carolina Counties
100 North Carolina counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in North Carolina?▼
North Carolina's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search North Carolina court cases?▼
North Carolina's court system is headed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court (8 divisions, 50 districts), District Court. Many North Carolina courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search North Carolina business entities?▼
The North Carolina Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in North Carolina?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a North Carolina birth or death certificate?▼
North Carolina vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the North Carolina Vital Records (Division of Public Health) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are North Carolina property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a North Carolina sex offender?▼
The North Carolina sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.
