How to Transfer Your Real Estate Agent License from California to Washington

Side-by-side comparison of requirements, costs, and reciprocity. Updated 2026.

Quick Comparison

Requirement	California (CA)	Washington (WA)
Total Cost	Varies	Varies
Training Hours	135 hrs	90 hrs
Exam Required	Check with board	Check with board
Renewal Period	4	2
Reciprocity	No	No

Can You Transfer Your Real Estate Agent License?

Reciprocity information not available

Check with the Washington licensing board for current reciprocity agreements and transfer requirements for real estate agent licenses.

What You'll Need to Do in Washington

These are the standard licensing steps in Washington. As a licensed real estate agent from California, you may already satisfy some of these requirements.

1
Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education: Take Real Estate Fundamentals (60 hrs) and Real Estate Practices (30 hrs) from a DOL-approved school.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
Affiliate with a Real Estate Firm: Must be affiliated with a licensed brokerage firm to practice as a broker.

Cost Comparison

California Fees

Exam Fee$100
Original License Fee$350
Fingerprinting (LiveScan)$49

Washington Fees

Original License Fee$223
Exam Fee (per attempt)$210
Fingerprinting / Background Check$44

Estimated Timeline

4\u201320 weeks

Estimated time to complete the real estate agent licensing process in Washington. Transferring licensees who qualify for reciprocity may complete the process faster.

Minimum with intensive education and fast processing. Background check (up to 14 business days) can be a bottleneck. Typical: 8–12 weeks.

Explore More

California Real Estate Agent License

Full requirements, fees, and steps

Washington Real Estate Agent License

Full requirements, fees, and steps

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my real estate agent license from California to Washington?▾

Contact the Washington licensing board directly to confirm current transfer and reciprocity policies for real estate agent licenses.

How much does it cost to transfer a real estate agent license to Washington?▾

Fees vary — check with the Washington licensing board for current fee schedules.

How long does it take to transfer a real estate agent license from California to Washington?▾

The process typically takes 4–20 weeks in Washington, depending on application processing times and whether additional exams or coursework are required.

Do I need to retake the real estate agent exam when moving to Washington?▾

Contact the Washington licensing board for current exam requirements for transferring licensees.

Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →

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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements, fees, and reciprocity policies directly with the California and Washington licensing boards before making decisions. GetLicenseMap is not a government agency and does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.