West · Real Estate License
Washington
Broker License Requirements
Governing Authority
WA DOL
Washington State Department of Licensing, Real Estate Program
Official website →90
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$488.05
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
4–20 weeks
Timeline
start to license
2 years
Renewal Cycle
30 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Take Real Estate Fundamentals (60 hrs) and Real Estate Practices (30 hrs) from a DOL-approved school.
Estimated time: 2–10 weeks
Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam
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
Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
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
Submit License Application
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
Affiliate with a Real Estate Firm
Must be affiliated with a licensed brokerage firm to practice as a broker.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
VerifiedTwo required courses: Real Estate Fundamentals (60 hrs) + Real Estate Practices (30 hrs). Must complete and apply for exams within 2 years of finishing coursework.
Required Topics / Courses
- Real Estate Fundamentals (60 hrs)
- Real Estate Practices (30 hrs)
Provider type: DOL-approved real estate schools (online and classroom) and community colleges
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering Washington-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Testing Excellence
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice, in-person at PSI testing centers. Questions are not separated by sections.
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 100 | min | 70% |
| State (Washington) | 30 | min | 70% |
| Total | 140 | 210 min | — |
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).
140 total questions includes ~10 unscored pretest questions (5 per section). 130 scored questions total. 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.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the Washington real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original License Fee | $233.00 | Washington DOL | |
| Exam Fee (per attempt) | $210.00 | PSI Testing Excellence | |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check Note: DOL fee schedule shows $45.05 for state + national check. Insurance Commissioner page quotes $49.00 which may include IDEMIA service charge. Recommend verifying with IdentoGO. (Alt: $49 per Office of Insurance Commissioner reference) | $45.05 | IdentoGO / Washington State Patrol | |
| Estimated Total | $488.05 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
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
Fingerprint-based state (WSP) and federal (FBI) background check via IdentoGO. Processing: up to 14 business days. Must renew every 6 years.
Sponsoring Broker
Required
Must affiliate with a licensed real estate firm to practice.
Reciprocity
Washington does not have reciprocity
Type: Universal License Recognition
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.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education Hours
30 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$233.00
First Renewal Notes
First active renewal requires 90 hours of CE including: 30-hour Advanced Practices Course, 30-hour Real Estate Law Course, 3-hour Current Issues course, 6-hour Fair Housing course, and at least 21 hours of other approved CE.
Deadlines
Based on original license issue date, every 2 years. Renewal window opens 120 days before expiration.
Background check must be renewed every 6 years. Inactive licenses still require renewal application every 2 years but no CE required.
Find Continuing Education Courses
Washington requires 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
Agency law changes aligned with NAR settlement: new requirements for buyer broker agreements and disclosure of compensation practices.
Effective: 2024-01-01 · Affects: requirements
Entry-level license title changed from 'Salesperson' to 'Broker.' Upper-tier license changed from 'Broker' to 'Managing Broker.'
Effective: 2010-07-01 · Affects: license_title
Sources
https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/get-your-license-real-estate-brokers
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/exam-real-estate-brokers
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/fees-real-estate
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/renew-or-reinstate-your-license-real-estate-brokers
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/get-your-license-real-estate-broker-license-reciprocity
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.85&full=true
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/fingerprinting-and-background-checks
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible