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Real Estate Agent
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
To get a District of Columbia real estate license in 2026, you must complete 60 hours of DC Real Estate Commission-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the PSI licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $563–$914 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$414
Total Gov Fees
110
Exam Questions
3.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
DC Real Estate Commission
Authority
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a DC license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or legal resident |
| Background Check | Required Likely NOT fingerprint-based — criminal history via application disclosure. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with a DC-licensed broker. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
License Application Fee Paid to: DLCP | |
License Fee Paid to: DLCP | |
Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund Paid to: DLCP | |
Fingerprinting Paid to: State/vendor | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $414 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
DC Real Estate Commission-approved education providers
Required Courses
Must pass institution's final exam (75% minimum) before scheduling licensing exam.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in District of Columbia.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
110
Total Time
210 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person only at PSI test center in DC (no online option).
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 120 min | 75% |
| State (District of Columbia) | 30 | 90 min | 75% |
Retake Policy
May retake failed section only. Both sections must be passed within 6 months of first attempt. $61.50 per attempt.
75% passing: 60/80 national, 23/30 state. Only one PSI test center in DC (1100 4th Street SW). ~10% of questions are math. Calculator provided at test center.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
Take a DC-approved 60-hour course including 3-hr fair housing. Pass course final exam (75%).
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Schedule at PSI (DC test center only). Pay $61.50. Pass both National (75%) and DC (75%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit required background check documentation.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks
Submit application with $65 app fee + $170 license fee + $60 Guaranty Fund ($295 total). Must apply within 6 months of passing exam.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks processing
Secure a sponsoring DC-licensed broker to activate license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Expires February 28 of odd-numbered years (fixed date).
First Renewal Notes
CE exemption for exam-based licensees per Regulation 2605.1.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in District of Columbia: Continuing education details →
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Universal Endorsement
Endorsement available from all US states (especially MD and VA pathways). Must complete 3-hr DC Fair Housing + 3-hr DC Property Management + pass DC state exam. Original license certification within 90 days with seal.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare District of Columbia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in District of Columbia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Official Sources
Real Estate Agent requirements in District of Columbia verified against DC Real Estate Commission, April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
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