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How to become a licensed Property Manager in District of Columbia. Property Manager License required. 60 hours (PM license) pre-licensing education. Total initial fees: $310. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Property Manager — PM
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Yes
License Required
Property Manager License
License Type
60 hours (PM license)
Pre-Licensing Hours
Yes
Exam Required
$310
Total Initial Fees
Every 2 years
Renewal Period
District of Columbia property management licensing requirements
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Property Manager License
Separate PM License
Yes
District of Columbia offers a specific property management license pathway
Own Property Exempt
Exempt
Managing your own property typically does not require a license
On-Site Manager Exempt
Not Exempt
Most states require a real estate license to manage property for others (collecting rent, leasing, marketing). Managing your own property typically does not require a license. A few states (Oregon, Montana, DC, Nevada, South Carolina) offer specific property management license categories separate from or in addition to the standard real estate license.
Education, Exams & Professional Certifications
VerifiedPre-Licensing Education
60 hours (PM license)
Exam Required
Yes
Property Manager exam covering DC landlord-tenant law, property management practices, and District regulations.
Education Details
Complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education for Property Manager license. DC offers a specific property manager license category.
Professional Certifications (Voluntary)
Most states that require a license for property management mandate completion of pre-licensing real estate education courses and passing a state exam. Professional certifications such as CPM (Certified Property Manager from IREM), ARM (Accredited Residential Manager), and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager from NAA) are voluntary but can significantly enhance career prospects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee for property manager license in District of Columbia | $80 |
Exam Fee Examination fee paid to testing provider (PSI, Pearson VUE, or state) | $65 |
License Fee Initial license issuance fee for District of Columbia | $165 |
Renewal Fee License renewal fee — renews every 2 years | $165 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, and license fees. Does not include education costs, background check fees, or E&O insurance. | $310 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
VerifiedEvery 2 years
Renewal Period
15 hours per renewal
Continuing Education
$165
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Details
15 hours of continuing education every 2 years for Property Manager license.
Regulatory Board
Most states require continuing education for license renewal. Topics typically include fair housing law, ethics, property management best practices, agency law, and state-specific regulatory updates. Failure to complete CE requirements may result in license suspension or lapse.
Step-by-step licensing process for District of Columbia
Mostly verifiedComplete 60 hours (PM license) of pre-licensing education from a District of Columbia-approved provider
Pass the District of Columbia property manager licensing examination
Submit license application to District of Columbia Real Estate Commission
Pass a background check (most states require fingerprinting)
Obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance if required by your state
Affiliate with a licensed broker (if obtaining salesperson license) or establish your own brokerage
Begin property management operations
Estimated Timeline
2-8 weeks after completing pre-licensing education and passing the exam
Washington DC offers a specific Property Manager license category, one of the few jurisdictions with a dedicated PM license separate from a full real estate license.
Property management of others' properties in District of Columbia requires a Property Manager License.
Managing your own property does not require a license in most cases.
District of Columbia offers a specific property management license pathway, which may have different requirements than a full real estate license.
Activities requiring a license typically include: collecting rent, leasing units, marketing properties, negotiating leases, and managing security deposits on behalf of property owners.
There is no interstate compact for property managers.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (SOC 11-9141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$88,360
+46% vs. national avg ($60,670)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+5%
High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
8–16 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for real estate and property management licensing exams.
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
District of Columbia requires a Property Manager License for property management. 60 hours (PM license) of pre-licensing education required. Complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education for Property Manager license. DC offers a specific property manager license category. Licensing is managed through the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.