How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington

Washington’s growing housing market and scenic Pacific Northwest landscapes make it an appealing place to launch a real estate career. From the urban centers of Seattle and Tacoma to the quieter communities of Spokane, Bellingham, and the Puget Sound region, licensed real estate professionals play a key role in helping Washington residents buy and sell homes across the Evergreen State. 

To become a real estate broker in Washington (the state’s equivalent to a real estate agent), you’ll need to meet education and licensing requirements set by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Whether you’re drawn to real estate for its flexibility, income potential, or the opportunity to serve your local community, earning your Washington real estate license is the first step. 

Here’s a brief overview of how to get your Washington real estate license:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 90 hours of approved prelicensing education
• Pass the Washington real estate broker exam
• Submit fingerprints and a background check
• Apply for your license through the DOL

Table of Contents

• Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Washington
• Continuing Education & License Renewal in Washington,
• Washington Real Estate License Reciprocity

Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Washington

To become a licensed real estate broker in Washington, you’ll need to complete a series of steps outlined by the DOL. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.

Step 1: Meet Washington’s Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Washington real estate broker license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Be legally eligible to work in the United States

You do not need to be a Washington resident to apply.

Step 2: Complete 90 Hours of Prelicensing Education

Before applying for the license exam, you must complete 90 hours of approved real estate coursework from a Washington DOL-approved education provider. This includes:

• 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course
• 30-hour Real Estate Practices course

Upon completion, your education provider will submit your course completion information electronically to the DOL. You’ll also receive certificates of completion for your records. 

Important notes:

• Your education must be completed within two years before taking the exam
• Your education provider will electronically submit your course completions to the DOL and PSI
• Be sure to keep copies of your course completion certificates for your records

View Licensing Packages

Step 3: Register with PSI and Schedule the Licensing Exam

Before you finish your prelicense education, you should create an account with PSI, the state’s official exam provider. Once your education is submitted, PSI will send you an email notification when you’re eligible to schedule your exam. You can schedule your exam online through the PSI portal.

PSI offers testing at multiple locations across Washington and also provides remote proctoring options.

Step 4: Pass the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam

The Washington broker licensing exam includes two parts:

• National Portion: 100 multiple-choice questions.
• State Portion: 30 multiple-choice questions specific to Washington state law and practices.
  

Key exam facts:

• You must pass both sections within six months of each other
• If you fail one portion, you only need to retake that section
• You must apply for your license within one year of passing the exam
• Exam results are provided immediately after testing
  

You can find exam prep materials and content outlines on the PSI website to help you study effectively.

Try Our Real Estate License Practice Exam

Step 5: Complete Fingerprinting and a Background Check

All applicants must undergo a criminal background check before applying for a license. To do this, you’ll need to: 

• Schedule an appointment with IdentoGO, the fingerprinting vendor approved by the Washington State Patrol and FBI
• Submit fingerprints electronically through IdentoGO
• Pay the required fingerprinting and background check fees

Fingerprints must be completed before your license is approved and are valid for six months, so wait until you’ve passed the exam before scheduling them to avoid expiration. 

Step 6: Find a Managing Broker to Work Under

In Washington, newly licensed brokers must work under the supervision of a managing broker who is affiliated with a licensed real estate firm. You cannot practice real estate independently as a new broker. 

When choosing a managing broker:

• Look for a firm that aligns with your goals and offers mentorship or training opportunities
• Consider company culture, commission structure, and support systems
• The managing broker must approve your license application before it can be issued

Step 7: Apply for Your Real Estate License

Once you’ve passed both parts of the exam and completed your background check, you can apply for your license online through the DOL’s eLicensing portal, accessed via a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account. 

To apply, you will need to:

• Create a SAW account
• Submit your completed application and pay the licensing fee
• Select a licensed Washington real estate firm to affiliate with
• Have your designated managing broker approve your application

Once your application is processed and approved, your license will be issued, and you can begin working as a real estate broker in Washington.

Continuing Education & License Renewal in Washington

Maintaining your Washington real estate broker license requires meeting renewal deadlines and completing the state-mandated continuing education (CE) hours. Washington real estate licenses must be renewed every two years, and requirements vary depending on whether it’s your first active renewal or a subsequent renewal.

Browse Our Continuing Education Courses

First-Time Renewal Requirements

Your first license renewal comes with a heavier education load. Washington requires new brokers to complete 90 hours of CE before their first license renewal. This must include:

• 30-hour Advanced Practices course
• 30-hour Real Estate Law course
• 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate (CORE)
• At least 27 hours of other approved CE courses

Additionally, if you have not previously completed the 6-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course, you must include it as part of your first renewal.

Subsequent License Renewals

After your first renewal, things get a little simpler. For every renewal after your first, you’ll need to complete 30 hours of CE every two years. This includes:

• 3-hour CORE course
• 3-hour Washington Fair Housing course
• 24 hours of other DOL-approved CE courses

At least 15 of these hours must be completed within the 24 months leading up to your renewal date. You can carry forward up to 15 unused hours from the previous cycle–as long as they weren’t already applied to your last renewal. 

Inactive License Renewals

If your license is currently inactive, you don’t need to complete CE to renew it. However, if you decide to return to active status later, you may need to complete CE at that time–especially if it’s been a while since you were last active.

How to Renew Your Washington Real Estate License

Renewing your license is a straightforward process if you’re prepared:

1. Complete your required CE
2. Log in to your SAW account
3. Submit your renewal application online
4. Certify that you’ve met the CE requirements (you don’t need to upload proof unless you’re selected for an audit)
5. Pay the renewal fee

If you’re renewing late, expect to pay an additional fee. Once your renewal is processed–usually immediately if done online–you can print your updated license directly from your SAW account. 

Washington Real Estate License Reciprocity

Washington does not have formal license reciprocity agreements with other states, but it does offer a streamlined process for out-of-state license holders who meet certain requirements.

If you’re actively licensed in another state and your license is in good standing, you may qualify to skip Washington’s prelicense education requirements and the national portion of the exam. However, you are still required to:

• Pass the Washington state portion of the real estate broker exam
• Submit fingerprints for a background check through an approved vendor
• Provide official license history from your current licensing state

Once those steps are complete, you can apply for your Washington broker license through SAW. While not true reciprocity, this path allows experienced agents and brokers to transition into Washington real estate with fewer barriers.