In order to kickstart your real estate career in Washington, it’s essential to obtain a Washington Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.
For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.
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In order to get your Washington real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:
In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.
Before continuing ahead with your application for a Washington real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites according to RCW 18.85.101:
In Washington, the starting real estate license is called a “broker” license. This can be confusing as this term typically implies a more advanced license in the majority of states.
However, in Washington it’s simply used to refer to the role of a real estate agent or salesperson, with the more senior role being referred to as a “managing broker”. Managing brokers are instead responsible for supervising and guiding brokers and overseeing the operations of a real estate office.
While criminal convictions won’t automatically preclude you from being able to apply for a real estate broker license in Washington, they can impact your chances.
As a result, if you’re worried about the possible effect of a past conviction on your chances at getting licensed, it’s worth doing a criminal conviction screening to check your eligibility. This is a good way to find out if a conviction will prevent you from becoming a real estate broker without investing money into the application process.
In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Washington real estate license.
In particular, you’ll be expected to complete a 90-hour pre-licensing education course that satisfies the requirements laid out under WAC 308-124H-820. These hours must be broken down as follows:
After finishing this course and satisfying all of its requirements, the provider should issue you a Certificate of Completion according to WAC 308-124H-855.
It’s a good idea to hold onto this document for safekeeping, even though your education provider is responsible for submitting proof of your course completion to PSI. The only thing that you’ll need to do for PSI to be able to receive this proof is register as a student — which must be done after you start but before completing this education.
Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pass the licensing examination within a period of two years following the date you finished the above pre-licensing education requirements.
Even though completing the courses is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of this step as just “checking a box”. This is because your pre-licensing education is what will prepare you to both pass your exam and become a better real estate agent.
For this reason, we always encourage our readers to invest in high-quality and reliable courses, as their study materials (like real estate practice tests and flashcards) can be invaluable during the exam prep stage.
On top of this, some of the top courses also offer money-back guarantees in the event that you do not pass your exam on your first attempt after taking their course.
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Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online pre licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
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The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Washington real estate broker exam. This 3.5-hour exam, which is administered by PSI, is made up of 130 questions in total spread across two portions: the National portion (100 questions) and the State portion (30 questions).
Be aware that the questions for each of these portions are not divided into two separate sections and will instead be intermixed throughout the exam.
In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI website and make an online reservation ($210). If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation.
In order to pass the Washington real estate broker exam, you’ll be required to obtain a minimum scaled score of at least 70 on both of the test’s portions. You’ll find out how you performed on this exam immediately after finishing it in the score report you’ll receive at the testing center.
Note: Be aware that you’ll have to submit an application for a real estate broker license in Washington within 12 months of the date you passed the state and national exam portions under WAC 308-124A-710.
After you receive notification that you passed the real estate broker exam in Washington, you’ll be required to submit your fingerprints for a background check under WAC 308-124A-700.
This must be completed by scheduling an appointment with the Department’s authorized vendor Idemia. For a real estate broker license, you’ll need to request a state and national background check, which costs $44.30 in total.
After having your fingerprints taken at this appointment, the scanned prints will then be sent to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Once these two organizations are done processing your background checks, the results will be forwarded to the Department to make a decision on your application.
The final step you’ll need to take before you can submit an application for your real estate license is to find a designated broker. This is a licensed real estate professional who supervises and mentors you, ensuring you comply with essential legal and ethical standards.
While it’s a legal requirement for new real estate licensees to work under a designated broker in Washington, it’s important you don’t treat this as just a rule you need to follow. This is because these real estate brokers provide essential training, support, and access to valuable networks that will help you to learn the industry, avoid pitfalls, and grow your business effectively.
It’s a good idea to find a designated broker that you’re comfortable working with before you start to submit your application as you’ll need them to fill out part of it.
After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move onto submitting your license application. This is typically done electronically through the Department’s online platform SecureAccess Washington (SAW).
However, you’re also able to submit a paper Real Estate License Application Form by mail to the following address if you prefer:
Real Estate
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856
Regardless of how you decide to submit your application, you’ll be required to pay a submission fee of $223. With that said, online filings are typically recommended as they are prioritized and generally processed more quickly.
Note: Be prepared to answer some legal background questions as part of this application. It’s imperative you answer these truthfully and to the best of your knowledge, as misleading or false information can result in your application being automatically rejected.
If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, you should shortly receive communication from the Washington Department of Real Estate within a few business days.
Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!
Note: If you’re not sure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than expected, you can reach out directly to the Washington Department of Real Estate by phone or email.
In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every two years.
For your first renewal after you obtain initial Washington real estate broker license, you’ll need to complete a minimum 90 hours of continuing education (CE) broken down accordingly:
For all subsequent renewals following this, you’re required to complete at least 30 hours of CE according to WAC 308-124A-790. This total time must be broken down as follows:
Be aware that a minimum of 15 hours of this total time must be completed within 24 months of your renewal date. You can either complete the rest of the mandatory hours within this period, or carry over up to a maximum of 15 hours of additional CE that was completed within 48 hours of your renewal date.
In addition to these ongoing CE requirements, you’re required to renew your background check every six years by submitting your fingerprints to Idemia. The Department will send you reminders for both of these requirements via email — be sure to check the one on file is correct by logging into your SAW account.
We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online post licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
The CE Shop
Mailing Address:
Washington Real Estate Commission
PO Box 3917
Seattle, WA 98124-3917
Phone: (360) 664-6488
