Washington Real Estate Broker License
Requirements, fees, and steps to upgrade to broker
Experience Requirements
3 years of full-time experience as an active real estate broker within the last 5 years
Alternative Pathways:
Required for managing broker license. Entry-level broker license has no experience requirement.
Education Requirements
This guide covers the managing broker upgrade: complete 90 hours of approved managing-broker education within three years before applying for the examination.
Required Courses:
- Brokerage Management (30 hours)
- Business Management (30 hours)
- Advanced Real Estate Law (30 hours)
Washington calls entry-level licensees brokers; the managing broker license is the supervisory upgrade requiring qualifying experience.
Broker Examination
Exam Name
Washington Real Estate Managing Broker Examination
Provider
PSI
Format
National and Washington state managing-broker portions; confirm the current format with DOL and PSI.
Passing Score
Confirm the current passing standard for each managing-broker portion with DOL and PSI.
Exam Fee
$210
Retake Policy
Must pass both portions within 6 months of each other
Fees
| Application Fee | $330 |
| Examination Fee | $210 |
| Background Check | $51 |
| Listed Fees | $591 |
Listed fees include the $330 original license (research fee included), $210 exam, and $51 Washington electronic fingerprint/background check. Education and optional $5 mailed-license fee are additional; out-of-state fingerprint rolling costs vary.
State and national background check
Timeline
Complete Education
Complete 90 hours of approved managing-broker coursework
4-8 weeks
Pass Managing Broker Exam
Pass national and state portions
1-2 weeks
Background Check
Submit fingerprints through Idemia
1-2 weeks
Submit Application
Apply for the managing broker license
2-4 weeks
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Renewal Fee
$330
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Online Renewal
Available
Active managing brokers complete 30 CE hours each renewal, including Current Issues and required fair-housing education. Check DOL for course eligibility and fingerprint renewal requirements.
Reciprocity Agreements
Washington offers a conditional reciprocity pathway at the same or lower license level for applicants actively licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction within the preceding six months. License history, Washington state examination, background check, and application requirements apply; this is not automatic licensure.
Washington State Department of Licensing
- Official Website
- (360) 664-6488
- RealEstate@dol.wa.gov
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