District of Columbia Real Estate Agent License

Complete 60 hours of DC Real Estate Commission-approved pre-licensing education on real estate fundamentals and laws.

Must be a high school graduate or hold an equivalency certificate, and be able to read, write, and understand English.

Retake Policy: Retake only the failed portion; a failed portion must be passed within 6 months of the first attempt. PSI charges $79 per sitting whether one or both portions are taken. Apply for the license within 6 months of passing.

Type: Conviction review: applicants must not have been convicted of an offense bearing directly on fitness to be licensed (17 DCMR §2610.2)

No fingerprint step or fee is published for real estate applicants.

Must work under a licensed DC real estate broker

Fee Breakdown

Application $65 + License $130 + Guaranty Fund $60 + Exam $79 = $334. Does not include pre-licensing course costs.

License Renewal

15 hours per two-year cycle: 9 hours of Commission-mandated courses, 3 hours of property management, and 3 hours of general electives. Salesperson licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years; the $60 Guaranty Fund payment is due again at renewal. No CE is required for the first renewal after licensure by exam. Late renewal is allowed within 60 days of expiration with a $50 late fee.

License Reciprocity

Brokers and salespersons licensed in Virginia, brokers licensed in Maryland, and salespersons licensed in Maryland since 1996 take only the DC law exam portion and complete Commission-approved DC Fair Housing and property management courses. Licensees from other jurisdictions apply by endorsement; the Commission sets any additional requirements after review.