Getting Your Real Estate License in Washington State: All Requirements and Process

This post covers what it takes to qualify for entry-level and upgraded licensure as a real estate professional in Washington.

We give you an overview of the entire process and go into detail on each component, sharing everything from the rules and requisites to the time and cost commitments involved.

So, wonder no more about how to obtain a real estate license in The Evergreen State. Read along as we guide you through the particulars of the process.

Washington doesn’t have a salesperson’s license. Instead, the official title is real estate broker. To become one, you must first be eligible to apply.

Specifically, you have to be a legal adult, 18 or older. You also need a high school level of education or higher. An equivalent certificate is also acceptable.

Having met those criteria, here’s how to get a Washington real estate license to gain entry into the profession.

First, you must take 90 hours of state-mandated pre-licensing coursework. That education is broken into two parts:

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

Before you finish your pre-licensing classes, you’ll have to register with the exam administrator PSI. That allows them to accept course completion information from your school.

Once that happens, you can make an appointment to take the two-part licensing exam. You need a minimum scaled score of 70 on each portion to pass and get your license.

The Washington State Department of Licensing will notify you when they receive your passing exam results. Wait for that notification before submitting your application.

You must also get fingerprinted for a background check before applying. All applicants must meet this requirement, and the Department of Licensing will only accept your application once you do.

You have another requirement to satisfy to be issued an active license. You must find a sponsoring brokerage to join.

That broker will provide guidance and support as you begin practicing real estate. So, pick one from our directory of the best real estate brokerages in Washington that meets your wants and needs.

For help finding the right one, read our expert article on how to pick a broker to work for.

Licensees that other states typically refer to as brokers are managing brokers in Washington.

To be eligible to apply for this license, you have to meet the specified age, general education, and experience prerequisites. As for the first two, you must:

• Be 18 years old at a minimum.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.

You can check the experience requirement off the list by proving you’ve worked as an active real estate broker for at least three of the prior five years.

Or, you can qualify under one of the alternative qualification experiences that include the following:

• Five years of full-time experience in certain allied or related businesses
• Work as a licensed attorney with a year of handling real estate transactions
• Postsecondary education in real estate and one year of experience as a broker

For applicants pursuing this type of real estate license in WA, the requirements also include 90 clock hours of approved real estate education.

That time is divided equally between three courses: Advanced Real Estate Law, Brokerage Management, and Business Management.

That coursework helps prepare you for the managing broker exam. The test has national and state portions with 134 multiple-choice questions, including scenario-based items.

To pass each part of the exam, you must attain a scaled score of 75.

Also, note that you get one chance to pass if you’re approved for the exam through alternative qualifications. Fail, and you must meet the experience requirements for upgrading a license.

Additionally, the Department of Licensing mandates that you have current background check results on file. If you don’t, you must get fingerprinted before applying for your license.

What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity?

If you already have a license, pursuing one elsewhere is easier when some or all of your qualifications are accepted for being comparably licensed.

That process is known as reciprocity. And a simple way to think about it is “how to get my real estate license in another state without starting from scratch.”

In Washington, there are three conditions for this fast track. You must:

• Meet the state’s age and education requirements (diploma or GED).
• Have been actively licensed in another state for the previous six months.
• Apply and be approved for the applicable licensing exam.

Then, Washington offers a license by reciprocity once you:

• Pass the portion of the exam covering Washington real estate law.
• Clear a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
• Provide an official License History from the state where you’re licensed.

Visit the Department of Licensing website for more information on applying for a license by reciprocity.

What States Have Reciprocity with Washington Real Estate License?

Washington has no real estate license reciprocity agreements with other states. However, they may waive the pre-licensing hours and national exam for those with equivalent out-of-state licenses.

Pre-Licensing Classroom Courses

Some Washington real estate schools offer pre-licensing courses in a physical classroom. This format lends itself toward students who prefer structure and a traditional academic setting.

You also get to interact live with others and form professional connections. You sacrifice flexibility, though, and have to travel to class.

Virtual classroom courses are an alternative and are readily available. They provide the benefits of attending class on set days and real-time interaction. Plus, you get to skip the commute.

Pre-Licensing Online Courses

The best place to study for the real estate exam in WA state differs for everyone. And for some, that’s distance learning through approved online pre-licensing courses.

These classes let you shape your school schedule around other obligations and move through the material at your desired speed.

You can also buy package deals that include exam prep for a discounted price. And, overall, the cost of online courses is typically easier on your budget.

On the other hand, you’ll need to be disciplined and comfortable studying with limited interaction and no fixed schedule.

Compare the pros and cons of real estate classes online vs classroom courses so you would know the best format to take.

You have to take the exam at a PSI-designated test center. There are 12 located in the areas listed below. You can use the location finder on the PSI website to get directions.

• Bellevue
• Bremerton
• East Wenatchee
• Ellensburg
• Everett
• Kennewick
• Lakewood
• Olympia
• Spanaway
• Spokane
• Yakima (2 centers)

You can apply for your license online only after the Department of Licensing receives your passing exam results and background check report.

The delivery time for exam scores is three days or more, and about 14 days for the background report.

If both items are on file, you’ll see an “Apply for License” button in the “Your To-Do’s” section when you log into the licensing portal.

You can then submit your application, supporting documents, and the appropriate fee.

Once your application is approved, there are several ways to get your license document as a newly licensed Washington real estate agent.

You can get a paper certificate by mail. Your wait time may be up to 14 days, and you must pay a $5 print fee.

Here’s how to get your real estate license faster and for free:

• Print a copy from your Secure Access Washington (SAW) account.
• Have your certificate emailed to you. That takes about four hours.

When researching how to get a real estate license in WA, you naturally want to know how long it may take to accomplish that goal.

The timeline for completing the courses can range from 3-10 weeks, depending on class frequency. The shortest time is for a daily schedule. Part-time evening classes take longer.

The criminal background check can take up to two weeks. You can concurrently do extra exam prep or look for a sponsoring broker during this time.

According to PSI, your wait time for an exam appointment can be as short as one day. Add another day at most for taking the exam.

Application processing is about 1-2 weeks, on average.

Given an all-out effort with self-paced coursework, you could finish pre-licensing education in as little as three weeks.

Ballpark timeframes for other parts of the licensing process are listed below.

• Exam wait time: 1 day
• Exam day: 4+ hours
• Broker selection: 1-2 weeks
• Background check: 14 days
• Application processing: 1-2 weeks

For an estimated timeline to get licensed in the state, check out our article on how long to get a real estate license in Washington.

Every applicant must pass a background check. So be ready to answer the application’s legal background questions and submit fingerprints for a criminal records search.

Also, be aware that you must be fingerprinted for a background check every six years after getting a real estate license in Washington.

For more information on how the process is done, read our guide on getting a Washington real estate license with violations on your record.

Be prepared to pay $300+ for either broker or managing broker pre-licensing courses.

The exam, fingerprinting, and background check fees are the same for both licenses. You’ll pay $210 to register for the exam and $44.80 for fingerprinting and the criminal records check.

The broker application fee is $223. Managing brokers remit $320.

For a complete breakdown of licensing expenses, read our guide on Washington State real estate license costs.

You’ll need to wait until the next day or later to reschedule another attempt.

Candidates who fail the exam aren’t limited to a specific number of retakes, but time is a factor.

You must pass both portions of the exam within six months of each other, or you’ll have to repeat the entire exam.

Read my tips for studying for the real estate exam to up your chances of passing the Washington real estate exam on your first try.

Yes, you must pay a $210 fee every time you take the exam.

Registering for a retake costs $210.

The answer is “yes” in some cases and “no” in others.

Any felonies will show up on your background check. The Department of Licensing also expects you to own up to and explain convictions when you apply.

The conviction alone isn’t a basis for disqualification according to Washington statutes.

However, the Department of Licensing can consider the facts and circumstances related to it when making a decision.

Therefore, the disposition of your application comes down to how your case fares in the Department of Licensing’s assessment process.

You might be able to get a license as a misdemeanor offender if you provide sufficient evidence to prove your present reform and are otherwise qualified.

The application asks specifically about gross misdemeanors, the more serious offenses that fall under this classification.

So, you’re required to disclose that information and can provide an explanation of your history.

While you can get a real estate license if you have a DUI conviction, the possibility varies from applicant to applicant.

At the very least, a DUI is classified as a gross misdemeanor in Washington. It can be a felony, depending on the circumstances.

That means it’s a serious offense, putting it on the Department of Licensing’s radar. So, provide all required paperwork to inform the Department of Licensing’s decision on granting a license.

Getting your real estate license in Washington requires at least a high school diploma or GED.

This information should help you advance your progress through the process. Then, with your license in hand, you can get the next step after passing the real estate exam underway.

Your plans should include joining a real estate team where you can learn from experienced agents who can share their knowledge of the industry with you.

As you join the ranks of realtors in the state, know that the job comes with a lot of exciting opportunities and challenges.

Be prepared for them by learning from insights offered by industry insiders on the pros and cons of being a real estate agent.

As you do, keep Real Estate Bees at the top of your resource list for invaluable insider knowledge and online tools.

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.