Loading...
Loading...
How to get a real estate license in Washington. 90 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $477. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
20% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$477
Total Gov Fees
130
Exam Questions
3.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Washington
Take Real Estate Fundamentals (60 hrs) and Real Estate Practices (30 hrs) from a DOL-approved school.
Estimated time: 2–10 weeks
Register via PSI online or call 855-746-8168. Pay $210 exam fee. Pass both National (70/100 = 70%) and State (21/30 = 70%) sections within 6 months of each other.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Schedule via IdentoGO (in-state) or mail fingerprint cards (out-of-state). Cost: ~$45. Results in up to 14 business days.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Apply online via SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account or by mail. Pay $233 license fee. Must apply within 1 year of passing exam.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks processing
Must be affiliated with a licensed brokerage firm to practice as a broker.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may apply. Out-of-state fingerprinting available via mail. |
| Citizenship | SSN required Must have a valid Social Security Number. |
| Background Check | Required IdentoGO fingerprints to WSP/FBI. Fee: ~$42.80-$44.30. Must pass exam BEFORE fingerprinting. Processing: up to 14 business days. Must renew every 6 years. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with a licensed real estate firm to practice. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
DOL-approved real estate schools (online and classroom) and community colleges
Required Courses
Coursework valid for 2 years. Must pass both exams within 2 years of completing first course.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
130
Total Time
210 min
Format
National (100 scored) + State (30 scored) + ~10 pretest, all MIXED together — questions are not separated by section.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 100 | min | 70% |
| State (Washington) | 30 | min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes within 2-year education validity window. Both sections must be passed within 6 months of each other or both must be retaken. $210 per attempt. One free reschedule available (must request at least 1 business day before exam).
130 scored questions (100 national + 30 state) plus ~10 unscored pretest questions mixed in. 13 PSI testing centers across WA: Bellevue, Bremerton, East Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Everett, Kennewick, Lakewood, Olympia, Spanaway, Spokane, Vancouver, Yakima. Pass rates: ~71% national, ~75% state (2024). Must apply for license within 1 year of passing.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Original License Fee Paid to: Washington DOL | |
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Testing Excellence | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: IdentoGO / Washington State Patrol | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $477 |
Ready to get started in Washington?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Washington with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Based on original license issue date, every 2 years. Renewal window opens 120 days before expiration.
First Renewal Notes
First renewal: 90 hrs (30 Advanced Practices + 30 RE Law + 3 Core + 6 Fair Housing + 21 elective). CE self-certified (only verified if audited).
Background check must be renewed every 6 years. Inactive licenses still require renewal application every 2 years but no CE required.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
No
Type: Universal License Recognition
No formal reciprocity; education waiver possible. Any actively-licensed broker from any U.S. state (within last 6 months) may apply. Pre-licensing education is waived. Must pass WA state exam only. Requirements: license history letter, fingerprint background check, WA state exam ($210), license fee ($233). 6-month window to pass state exam after approval. License activated via SAW online invitation from firm.
4–20 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive education and fast processing. Background check (up to 14 business days) can be a bottleneck. Typical: 8–12 weeks.
2024-01-01
Agency law changes aligned with NAR settlement: new requirements for buyer broker agreements and disclosure of compensation practices.
2010-07-01
Entry-level license title changed from 'Salesperson' to 'Broker.' Upper-tier license changed from 'Broker' to 'Managing Broker.'
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Washington.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#6 of 49
Cost
#44 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$60,440
25th percentile
Median
$76,980
+37% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$97,730
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,470 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+4% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$76,980
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$76,980
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$81,450
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$80,120
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
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: 4–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
Report incorrect data — help us keep LicenseMap accurate.
Washington requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education. Compare approved online schools and start your real estate career.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.