Washington Real Estate License Requirements
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Washington
Quick Overview:
To become a real estate agent in Washington, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Follow these steps:
- Complete the Required 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
- Pass the Final Exam for Your Course
- Pass the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam
- Get Your Fingerprints Taken
- Complete and Submit Your Broker License Application
How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington
The Washington State Department of Licensing requires all prospective agents to complete the following steps to become a licensed real estate agent. Washinton’s entry-level real estate license is called a Broker License. Follow the steps below to get started with your real estate career.
1. Complete the Required 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Prospective real estate agents must complete 90 hours of Pre-Licensing education from a real estate school approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
The required education consists of two courses: a 60-Hour Real Estate Fundamentals Pre-Licensing course and a 30-Hour Real Estate Practices Pre-Licensing course.
2. Pass the Final Exam for Your Course
Once you’ve completed each Pre-Licensing course, you must pass the course final exam. You must receive a score of at least 70% to pass, but each exam can be taken as many times as necessary.
3. Pass the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam
Next, you’ll need to pass the Washington Broker licensing exam. The exam, which is administered by PSI, consists of a National portion and a State portion. You will have 3½ hours to complete the exam. For more information about the exam, including how to register, read the state’s Candidate Handbook.
Do you need help passing your Washington real estate licensing exam? Some schools offer Exam Prep course to help you feel confident on the day of your licensing exam.
4. Get Your Fingerprints Taken
Before you can apply for your Washington Broker License, you must submit your fingerprints for a background check. You will need to complete this process every six years to maintain your license. For more information on fingerprinting, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
5. Complete and Submit Your Broker License Application
Once you’ve completed all the requirements and been notified that the state has received your exam results, it’s time to apply for your Broker License! You can apply online on the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
Quick Facts:
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To get a Broker License in Washington, you must complete 90 hours of Pre-Licensing education.
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For more information on how to become a Broker in Washington, read the Washington State Department of Licensing’s detailed guide.
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To learn more about the Washington Broker licensing exam, read the state’s Candidate Handbook.
Common Questions About Getting Your Washington Real Estate License
1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Washington?
The cost of getting a real estate license in Washington can vary considerably, but you can typically expect to pay between $706.80-$1,156.80. There could be additional costs.
| Average Course Tuition | $229-$679 |
| Background Check Fee | $44.80 |
| Exam Fee | $210 |
| License Application Fee | $223 |
| Total | $706.80-$1,156.80 |
2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in Washington?
The amount of time that it will take to get a real estate license in Washington can vary considerably, but one of the major factors is how long it takes you to complete your 90 hours of required Pre-Licensing education.
| Student Learning Pace | Time Period |
|---|---|
| Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) | 2¼ weeks |
| 20 Hours a Week | 4½ weeks |
| 10 Hours a Week | 9 weeks |
| 5 Hours a Week | 18 weeks |
3. Which states have reciprocity with Washington?
Many of the requirements for getting a real estate license in Washington likely will be waived if you’ve been actively licensed in another jurisdiction within the past 6 months. The education requirements will be waived, and you’ll only need to take the Washington State part of the exam. For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website or read this guide to reciprocity in all states.
4. How much money can I make as a Washington real estate agent?
According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Washington real estate agent is $90,956.
Washington Real Estate Post-Licensing Requirements
Washington requires new real estate agents to complete 90 hours of Post-Licensing education within their first two years of licensure. For more information about the requirements, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
Washington Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements
After the first license renewal, Washington requires that real estate Brokers take 30 hours of Continuing Education every two years to renew their license. For more information about the requirements, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
