Washington FAQs

Educational Requirements to Obtain a Broker's License:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior to taking the exam complete 90 hours of education (within 2 years), including 60 hours of Real Estate Fundamentals and 30 hours of Real Estate Practices.
• Pass the Real Estate Broker examination.
• Complete a fingerprint background check through the Washington State Patrol and the FBI, if you don't already have one on file.
• Submit completed application and fees.

The educational requirement for the first renewal is 30 hours of Advanced Practices, 30 hours of Real Estate Law and 30 hours of Continuing Education.

Educational Requirements to renew a Broker's License:

• Must complete 30 hours of continuing education by the expiration date listed on your license.
  • 3 of these hours must be the prescribed WA core course
  • 3 hours must be the Transition course
  • 24 of these hours may be any elective continuing education courses.

Educational Requirements to Obtain a Broker's License:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have 3 years full-time experience as an active real estate broker.
• Complete 90 hours of education within 3 years of taking the managing broker exam, including 30 hours of Real Estate Broker Management, 30 hours of Business Management and 30 hours of Advanced Real Estate Law.
• Pass the Managing Broker licensing examination.
• Complete a fingerprint background check through the Washington State Patrol and the FBI, if you don't already have one on file.
• Submit completed application and fees.

Educational Requirements to renew a Managing Broker's License:

• Must complete 30 hours of continuing education by the expiration date listed on your license.
  • 3 of these hours must be the prescribed WA core course
  • 3 hours must be the Transition course
  • 24 of these hours may be any elective continuing education courses.

1.  Complete Your Required Education

You must Successfully complete 90 hours of approved real estate education, within a two-year time frame, before you can take the broker's exam. The 90 hours of education must consist of a 60-hour course in Real Estate Fundamentals and a 30-hour course in Real Estate Practices. It's easy to complete the requirement with Kaplan's approved education.

• Washington 90-Hour Broker Licensing/Master Exam Prep Package
• 90-Hour Broker Licensing Package

2.  Take the Washington Salesperson Licensing Exam

Register and pass the broker's exam with the exam provider, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP). To schedule your exam, you may vist the AMP website at www.goamp.com/candidateinformation.aspx.

3.  Have Your Fingerprints Taken

You'll receive a fingerprint card at the testing center when you take your broker's exam.  Go to a fingerprinting service approved by the Washington State Patrol and have your fingerprints taken.

4.  Apply For Your State License

Complete the Washington State Department of Licensing Real Estate License Application and return it along with your fingerprint card.

• Currently enrolled students with questions about reprinting a certificate, locating/tracking materials, or requesting a transfer, please contact our Customer Support team Monday–Thursday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time via email at restudentsupport@brightwoodsupport.com or via phone: 

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Minnesota, call direct at: 888.523.1020

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• For questions about course content or curriculum, please email our instructors at reschools.instructor@brightwood.edu.

We make every attempt to make our websites and products mobile- and tablet-friendly. However, not all features are compatible with all tablets and phones.

• When working on regulated course material, we recommend using a Windows- or Mac-based desktop or laptop computer.
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In general, online access to study materials for courses shall be granted for a period of up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Online access may be less than 6 months, if limited by state law or changes made at the discretion of Brightwood Real Estate Education, powered by Kaplan.

View our Terms and Conditions policy.

Our full return policy can be found here.

Both formats are delivered online via the Internet but there are distinct differences with unique advantages designed with the highest level of convenience and success in mind. This page provides details on all of our course delivery formats.

We have a team of seasoned real estate professionals who develop our materials as well as teach our courses. Meet our lead instructors.

All Brightwood College and Brightwood Career Institute, powered by Kaplan Real Estate Education licensing, postlicensing and continuing education courses are submitted and approved by that state's governing body.

Each state has a different governing body that regulates real estate professionals with requirements that vary by state. To find the requirements for your state, go to your state's landing page and select 'State Requirements' from the top navigation.

Each state handles reciprocity differently. We encourage individuals who are licensed in a state and desire to become licensed in additional states to contact the target state regulator body for details. After obtaining the requirements necessary to be licensed in that state, our customer service team can assist you with matching courses to state reciprocity rules. 

What is the difference between a sales person and a broker? A real estate salesperson or broker is a professional licensed by their state to help consumers with real estate matters.  A salesperson must work under a managing or principal broker, this is the broker who is in charge of the brokerage firm.  Some states only license brokers, in that case, new brokers may be called broker associates and are required to work under a managing or principal broker. Much like a salesperson. 

A managing, principal or employing broker is a licensed broker who is in charge of a brokerage firm and the salespersons or broker associates of the firm. Typically to become a managing broker at least two years of active license experience and further course work and sometimes license exams are required.

No matter if you are a real estate salesperson, broker associate or managing broker the job is the same work with buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords to help them reach an agreement.

This video provides a simple five-question test to determine if you fit the profile.

An appraiser gives an opinion of the quality, value, or utility of a specific property. An appraisal is usually required whenever real estate is sold, mortgaged, taxed, insured, or developed. A typical appraisal might include physically inspecting the property, measuring the improvements and collecting the associated costs, preparing a site drawing, writing the physical description of the property, researching official records and deeds, finding similar properties to compare, and writing a final appraisal report.

• Make a list of brokerage firms you want to talk with. If you don't know where to start, browse real estate ads to see if some firms seem more interesting than others.
• Visit your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of REALTORS^® to find out which firms are best represented. Pay attention to television and radio advertising, billboards, and the “For Sale” signs you see in yards.
• Make appointments with the managing or principle broker of each real estate firm on your list. Larger firms may have recruiting managers.

• Ask the broker for an itemized list of startup expenses. Are you required to join local, regional, and national professional organizations? Are there recurring monthly or quarterly expenses for membership?
• Find out if advertising expenses are paid by the agency. How about “For Sale” signs and other signs? Do they provide them to agents free of charge?
• Who pays for long distance telephone calls to clients? How about photocopies, stamps, and other office-related expenses?
• Does the firm provide in-office computers and printers for real estate agent use, or are you expected to bring your own?
• Ask if the firm carries errors and omissions insurance for agents. If so, find out what's covered. Discuss the policy with an insurance carrier to make sure it's adequate.

According to Salary.com, most real estate agents earn on average between $36,566 and $47,610 annually. How much agents make depends on the number of transactions they complete, the commission paid to the brokerage, and their split with the sponsoring broker. If you are talking with a franchised agency, be sure to ask what percentage of each sales commission is deducted and sent to the franchising company. Top producers earn a lot more than the average real estate agent. Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's probably safe to say that a top producer would need to sell at least one home a month to qualify. Mega-stars earn $200,000 and up per year. Very few real estate professionals earn a salary versus commission.

On September 3, 2015, Kaplan concluded a previously announced agreement to sell its nationally accredited schools, including Kaplan Real Estate Education, to Education Corporation of America (ECA).  This close secures the goals of both ECA and Kaplan, as each business is strengthened. This partnership continues to be a great fit and is immediately scalable while maintaining strong, career-focused education for our students.

Going forward, your Kaplan Real Estate Education courses will be offered by Brightwood College, or Brightwood Career Institute, both are divisions of ECA. You will still receive the same high-quality education you’ve come to expect from Kaplan, written and led by the same industry-leading authors and instructors.