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Washington, D.C. Real Estate License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Washington, D.C.


Quick Overview:

You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED.

  1. Complete 60 Hours of required Education
  2. Pass the Course Final Exam
  3. Pass the D.C. Real Estate Salesperson Exam
  4. Find a Sponsoring Broker
  5. Complete License Application

BUY YOUR WASHINGTON, D.C. PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington, D.C.

1. Complete 60 Hours of Required Education

Successfully complete the required 60 clock-hour Pre-Licensing course. There are several different DC real estate colleges, many offer online classes as well as learning in-person coursework. Some Kentucky real estate schools have an option for a
Free Trial
that can help determine if Kentucky real estate courses are right for you.

2. Pass the Pre-Licensing Course Final Exam

After you complete all the course materials, meet the minimum time requirement, and pass the practice exam, there is a course final exam. The minimum passing score is 75%.

3. Pass the D.C. Real Estate Salesperson Examination

Next, you must take and pass the D.C. licensing exam, which is administered by PSI. The national portion of this exam consists of 80 questions and a 120-minute time allowance, and the state portion consists of 30 questions and a 90-minute time allowance. For more information,
see the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

Do you need help passing your Washington, D.C. real estate exam? We also offer
comprehensive Exam Prep tailored to Washington, D.C.

4. Find a Sponsoring Broker

To begin your new career, you must be sponsored by an active D.C. real estate Broker. It’s important to find a good fit when
picking a Broker to work with as it’s a key factor to becoming a successful D.C. real estate agent.

5. Complete License Application

After passing the licensing exam, you will submit a licensing application. To submit your application, you’ll need to
create on account on the commission’s web portal.

Here are some items you’ll need when applying:

  • One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
  • Unexpired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
  • Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees


Quick Facts:

Common Questions About Getting Your Washington, D.C. Real Estate License

1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Washington, D.C.?

The cost of an agent license in D.C. can vary considerably depending on the price of your D.C. real estate classes and different types of fees for your licensing, etc. An individual can typically expect to pay $760-$1,010 to get an active D.C. real estate license.

Average Course Tuition $400-$650
FBI Background Check and Fingerprinting $42.80
D.C. Real Estate Exam Fee $61.50
Application Fee $255
Total $760-$1,010

2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in Washington D.C.?

The specific amount of time to complete your 60 hours of licensing can vary depending on how long each task takes you and how long you take to complete Pre-Licensing courses. Different credit hours and requirements of each brokerage will affect each Salesperson differently.

Student Learning Pace Time Period
Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) 1.5 weeks
20 Hours a Week 3 weeks
10 Hours a Week 6 weeks
5 Hours a Week 12 weeks

3. If I get a real estate license in Washington, D.C., where else can I work?

If you get a real estate license in Washington, D.C., you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your DC license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide for more information on reciprocity.

4. How much money can I make as a Washington, D.C. Real Estate Agent?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Washington, D.C. real estate agent is $96,107.


Washington, D.C. Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

License renewals in the District of Columbia are on a two-year cycle, in every odd-numbered year: February 28 for brokers and property managers and August 31 for sales agents.

An applicant for renewal of any license that expires on February 28 or August 31, must submit proof of completing approved Continuing Education (CE) credit in the following subjects:

DC Fair Housing 3 hours
DC Ethics 3 hours
DC Legislative Update 3 hours
Property Management 3 hours
Electives 3 hours