If you want to throw a wrench in your real estate investing career, I can't think of a better way than having an unlicensed, uninsured tenant falling off your roof doing work at your request. 

There are many, many successful unlicensed investors.    

I can tell you from personal experience that I have purchased several properties where the seller stated they wanted to deal with me as a licensed professional rather than an unlicensed person.

In many cases, "wholesaler" is code for unlicensed brokering. 

This specific disclosure is likely the reason why any of my three investigations for unlicensed broker activity ever proceeded to a fine, or a charge (I've been investigated for it in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon).From there, you as a buyer are looking for another buyer that you would like to assign your option to.

Potential NEW Legal Ramifications of WholesalingGetting Busted in Ohio for Wholesaling and Praticing RE without a LicenseVery Interesting For All BP InvestorsFlip or Flop or ScamHWPG Goes undercoverAre wholesalers unlicensed brokers?

If the banks find out that these companies are not complying, that could mean big trouble for them.I haven't run into any companies at this point that will allow an unlicensed individual to pull comps, take the photos or give their opinions. 

Doesn't make it any less legal, however :PBy that logic, you would almost want to work MORE with a licensed wholesaler since he/she would have to tread lightly.Moreover, once could argue that there are more experienced unlicensed wholesalers than licensed ones, and it's experience that you fear (fear of getting taken advantage of) when you hear "licensed."

I found this to be a good thing, a seller was happy to hear you were familiar with state laws and all the legal paperwork, and many connections in the title and lending communities to help things go as smooth as possible, and I had a state agency to answer to in many cases unlike all those  no good unlicensed investors, And before some investor has a cow, lighten up, I was an investor for ten years before I added a real estate license to my tool belt. 60 years investing and 50 years licensed.

@Kirsten KnightenWelcome to the site.Sounds like you are new to real estate investing.I strongly urge you to look into becoming an agent if you wish to connect buyers and sellers together and earn a fee or commission.Not only is it a much smarter, more lucrative and more productive way to earn it will also insure you never get yourself in any trouble over possible unlicensed brokerage activity.