How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Washington?

Washington state real estate license costs can total up, but we break it all down all below, from the pre-licensing coursework all the way to the license renewal fee.

Keep reading to make sure you’ve got the means to work through all the costs associated with becoming a licensed real estate agent in Washington.

Pre-Licensing Coursework: $250 to $300+

Real estate licensing in Washington starts with your pre-licensing coursework.

This requirement totals 90 hours of approved real estate education, broken into two course areas: Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practices.

Take these courses in any of the accredited real estate classes in Washington.

The cost of these courses vary based on where you take them and whether you purchase any additional preparation materials.

Over 30 private schools in Washington, along with select community colleges and universities, offer these courses both as in-person classes and online options.

Know which method suits your schedule better by referring to our article comparing real estate classes online vs. classroom courses.

Additionally PSI, the proctor of the real estate license exam itself, offers an exam prep kit for $17.95.

This additional practice can be very helpful after you’ve completed your coursework, and you’re looking for good reference material to prep you for the actual exam.

I also have effective tips for studying for the real estate exam.

Fingerprinting: $5+

To get your fingerprints done, you must go through IdentoGo and schedule an appointment. If you’re not a current Washington resident, you must use this process to submit your fingerprints.

Costs for fingerprinting and processing vary by state. You’ll receive the exact pricing information after scheduling your appointment.

Note that it takes about 10 to 14 days for fingerprint results to come back, so make sure you time things out to be close to when you take your exam.

Salesperson Exam: $138.25

The real estate license WA cost for the actual exam is $138.25. This covers the full exam, which is broken into two parts: the national section and state-specific section.

You’re required to pay the fee once you’ve registered for the exam, which you can do by going online or by calling 855-746-8168.

This fee only covers the first time you take the test, so the amount the exam actually costs you can vary if you need to reschedule or retake.

If you cancel or reschedule your exam at least two days before the test, there’s no charge, but there are circumstances where the fee may be forfeited:

• You arrive 15 minutes late for the exam.
• You miss your testing slot altogether.
• You cancel or reschedule within two days or less of the exam.
• You wish to reschedule your exam a second time.

Exam results are valid for one year.

Read our guide on how to pass the Washington real estate exam the first time for more detailed information, such as how and what to study, as well as additional tips for passing the test.

Exam Retake: $138.25

Should you fail to pass both sections of the Washington real estate exam on your first attempt, you are able to retake the test. The fee, whether retaking one or both parts, is also $138.25.

You have six months from the time you fail part of the exam to pass the second part. After this time period elapses, you’ll need to retake both sections of the test.

License Application: $156.25

Once you’ve passed your real estate exam in Washington state, you can officially apply for your license. The base fee to do this is $146.25. You’re also responsible for an additional $10 research fee.

This fee keeps your license active for a total of two years, after which, you’ll need to renew.

Note that part of the license application is choosing a real estate brokerage to sponsor you. You can pick one from our database of the best real estate brokerages in Washington.

Continuing Education: $100 to $300+ Every Two Years

Within your first two years as one of the licensed real estate agents in Washington, you must complete an additional 90 hours of continuing education.

After the initial renewal, your continuing education requirement goes down to 30 hours of additional coursework within every two year period.

License Renewal: $146.25 to $172.75

If you renew your real estate license within 120 days before the expiration date, the fee is $146.25. If you miss the deadline, you’ll pay a late fee, bringing the total cost to $172.75.

Before you can renew, you must complete your continuing education requirement and prepare to answer legal background questions should there be any.

You won’t have to submit your fingerprints every time, but it is something to keep on your radar.

You’ll receive separate reminders for when it’s time to renew your license and for when it’s time to resubmit your fingerprints.

Renewal is done online through SecureAccess Washington.

Miscellaneous: $50+

Tallying up all the above fees doesn’t completely give you an accurate number to answer the question: How much is a real estate license in Washington?

It comes close, but you also need to take into consideration a few extra, miscellaneous, fees that might apply to you, including:

• Every six years, you need to resubmit fingerprints. This is from the date they’re received, so not the date you activated your license. You’ll get a reminder to do this, but you will have to pay the fee again.
• If you’d like to print your license to have a hard copy, the cost is $5.
• If, for some reason, you need to get your license history, there’s a $40 fee.

There are also marketing costs and association fees you may have to pay as well.

All combined, Washington real estate license costs are pretty much hefty, but having a lucrative and engaging career once the process is complete can make it all worth it.

Get a head start by learning the next steps after passing the real estate exam.

The road ahead won’t always be paved, but being motivated by the benefits of being a real estate agent can get you inspired each day to achieve success.

It will also help to know how to join a real estate team. Once you become a member, it will be easier to meet more experienced agents to guide you when starting your own real estate business.

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.