Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, St. Thomas

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs issues business licenses, supports the territory's professional boards and commissions, and handles consumer matters such as complaints and recalls. Its public license search lets anyone look up a license by business or trade name, license number, location address, island, license type or business activity, which is a practical first check before hiring a contractor, property manager or other service provider. The department's Real Estate Commission page says everyone working in real estate must be licensed, describes salesperson and broker licenses, and notes that permanent licenses run from January 1 to December 31. The St. Thomas office is in the Property and Procurement Building at Sub Base. Buyers and renters who want to confirm that an agent or broker holds a license can start with the search tool or call this office.