Can You Get a Washington Real Estate License with Violations such as Felony, DUI or Misdemeanor?

If you’re interested in becoming a real estate professional in Washington, but have a criminal record, you can still apply for your license.

It’s important you’re transparent about your past and cooperative when it comes to disclosing information and sharing relevant documents, but each case is looked at individually.

To fully understand how a past conviction can impact your license application process, keep reading. We break down everything you’ll need to know.

It’s required that you undergo fingerprinting for a real estate license in Washington. Actually, even once you have your license, you’ll have to get fingerprints every six years.

Submitting fingerprints allows the Washington Real Estate Commission to run a background check on all real estate license applicants.

All Washington residents must use IdentoGo to schedule their appointment. If you are not a current Washington resident, there are separate instructions to follow.

Results will take 10-14 days to get transferred over to the Commission, so make sure you schedule enough time.

There’s no absolute ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response when it comes to getting a Washington real estate license if you have a felony on your criminal record.

The Department of Licensing in Washington looks at each conviction individually, considering the facts and circumstances around the charge as well.

Specific factors taken under heavy consideration include:

• The type of crime
• When the conviction occurred
• Whether the crime relates to the practice of real estate
• Seriousness/classification of conviction

However, if you don’t approach the licensing process with complete honesty about your background, that can also work against you.

As with a felony, a misdemeanor isn’t an automatic disqualification from a real estate license in Washington.

You will, however, be asked to provide sufficient evidence of the steps you’ve taken at reform since the conviction.

You’ll also need to disclose information related to any gross misdemeanors directly on your application. Don’t wait for it to show up in your background check. That can count against you.

Disclose all relevant information of any charges and provide an explanation of the situation in your own words for a fair review.

It’s not always the case that a DUI prevents you from getting a real estate license in Washington, but it is classified as a gross misdemeanor in most cases, so it’s serious.

Treat it as such by following the recommended steps above and disclose the information around the conviction on your license application.

The circumstances surrounding your specific situation will definitely impact the decision of the Department of Licensing, but you can get a real estate license if you have a DUI.

Although the background check that results from your fingerprint submission will disclose any previous convictions, it’s important to be forthcoming on your own.

Make sure you answer the legal background questions on the application honestly and be ready to share related documents if necessary. There are five questions in total.

Additional information that you may be asked to submit includes:

• Type of offense
• Case details (i.e., the date and location)
• Case number
• Results of the case

Should you get asked additional questions about your criminal history, or be asked to provide additional documentation, do so quickly without any resistance.

Your willingness to assist in the review of your application and criminal history may greatly improve your chances of your license request being accepted.

Should you receive notification that you do not meet the minimum eligibility for a real estate license in Washington, you have the right to request a hearing.

This is where you can contest the reasons surrounding the intent to deny your license, but you must file the hearing request within 21 days of being served your official statement.

The hearing cannot occur within the first 30 days of the ‘intent to deny’ letter in most cases, which will give you plenty of time to prepare evidence to argue your case.

There are a variety of infractions, beyond unprofessional conduct, that might lead to a license disqualification.

Once the Commission has decided to take disciplinary action, they can issue an order with any combination of consequences, including:

• License disqualification for any interval of time
• License suspension
• Professional restrictions
• Monitoring of practice or a specific professional
• Censure or reprimand
• Probationary period
• Fines
• License renewal denial
• Corrective action

Washington real estate agents may even be required to complete a specific program of remedial education or treatment based on the nature of the offense.

Should this situation happen, you are able to request a hearing for further review.

By the time you’ve reached the point where you’re submitting fingerprints and your license application, you’ve already passed the real estate license exam.

Preparing for that properly is as important as being forthcoming about your criminal history, so make sure you have plenty of time to study.

The more you can study and review, the higher the chance you’ll pass the Washington real estate exam on your first attempt, and keep this process moving forward.

Studying for the real estate exam starts once you enroll in one of the real estate schools in Washington state, where you will be required to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education.

You can choose between traditional real estate classes or remote learning. Compare the pros and cons of real estate classes online vs classroom courses to choose the best format that will make learning easier for you.

To ensure you study efficiently and effectively, be organized. Start by taking detailed notes in your pre-licensing classes, turning them into topic outlines once you’re done.

Make sure you’ve got an outline for all major topics on the test by checking the exam outline you’ll find in your PSI Candidate Handbook. This comes directly from the testing agency.

Once you know you’ve got everything covered, start reviewing these outlines, making flashcards for the static facts for easy quizzing.

Find a quiet place to study, where you won’t be at risk of distractions or interruptions, and set aside some time every day to review.

If this gets challenging, you can always form a study group with some of your classmates. Working together can help you stay focused.

Once you feel prepared, schedule your exam, do a little night-before reviewing, and head into test day confident in your abilities.

Fingerprinting may cost you around $5+, but it varies depending on where you get yours taken. For other expenses connected with the licensing process, refer to our guide — How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Washington?

If you’re wondering how much time you need to invest to complete the licensing process, read our article on how long to get a real estate license in Washington.

Note that as part of your application, you need to be under the supervision of a licensed broker. Choosing the right real estate broker to work for ensures you get a good start on your career.

Refer to our vetted list of the best real estate brokerage firms in Washington to find your best match.

Once licensed, you have a wealth of information at your disposal to ensure a successful real estate career in the state.

Start by knowing the benefits and drawbacks of being a real estate agent to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.

It will also serve you well to create an action plan that details your next steps after passing the real estate exam.

I recommend that you join a real estate team as well, so you will be able to meet experienced realtors who can share their knowledge of the industry with you.

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.