Licensing Requirements for Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers in Washington
Earning a Salesperson's License
For those interested in selling residential or commercial real estate, the first requirement is to obtain a real estate salesperson's license. This is the initial stating block of a real estate career.
The first stage of preparation for earning that license in Washington is to be at least 18 years of age. The next step is to take an approved course in Real Estate Fundamentals. This is a 60 clock-hour class, available via many delivery methods--lecture, computer-based, audiotape, etc.. Upon completing the course, the prospective licensee must pass a computerized written salesperson examination addressing general and state-specific questions.
The purposes for the educational requirement are two-fold. First, the financial decisions made by your future customers and clients are among the most important of their lives. It is essential that the real estate licensees with whom they are working have adequate training to protect their welfare.
Second, training will help reduce the exposure to damages brought by those same customers and clients, Inappropriate actions or advice by a real estate licensee could result in fines or lawsuits against you or your employer which could take a licensee to very edge of bankruptcy.
The fundamental course is required to cover these topics:
- Real Estate as a Career
- Real Property Ownership, Rights, Interest and Land Use Controls
- Contract Law
- Agency Law and Brokerage Relationships
- Listing Agreements and Procedures
- The Selling Process
- Real Estate Valuation
- Real Estate Finance
- Escrow and Settlement Process
- Leasing, Property Management and the Residential Landlord Tenant Act
- Real Estate License Law
- Fair Housing Issues
- Consumer Protection
Retaining Your License
A real estate license expires on your second birthday after it is issued. For example, if your birthday is on January 1, and your license is issued on December 1, 2003, you must renew your license by January 1, 2005. In order to renew a license, a real estate sales person initially licensed after July 1, 1995 must:
- Take a 30 clock-hour course in real estate practices during the first renewal period, and
- Take a 30 clock-hours of approved continuing education coursed during each renewal period. Three of the continuing education hours must be designated as "core."
This means that you will be required to complete 60 clock-hour credits before you first license renewal. You are required to take only 30 clock-hours of continuing education prior to each subsequent renewal.
Earning a Brokers License
The next step in a real estate career is often to pursue a real estate broker's license. Since all activity by real estate licensees takes place in the names of a broker, the requirements for obtaining a license are more demanding. They are:
- 18 years of age or older
- High School diploma or its equivalent
- Minimum of two year of actual experience as a full-time real estate salesperson in this state or in another state having comparable requirements, within the five years prior to applying for the broker's license examination
- Successfully complete 120 hours of instruction in real estate including:
- 30-hour course in brokerage management
- 30-hour course in real estate law
- 30-hour course in business management
- 30-hour approved elective course.
All courses must have been taken within five years prior to applying for the broker's examination, and must have included an approved examination.
Pass the broker's license examination addressing general and state-specific questions and a settlement statement exercise.
Retaining Your Broker's License
Like salespersons, real estate brokers must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education (including three "core" hours) during each two-year renewal period.
Testing Requirements
AFTER a prospective licensee has fulfilled all the requirements that qualify him or her to take a real estate licensing examination, he or she may make an appointment to take the examination at a Promissor Test Center. The following table indicates where and when the examinations are offered. Advance appointments are required (phone 800-274-5985 for details). The examination fee is $138.25.
Promissor Test Centers
| Code | Location | Times |
|---|---|---|
| 4816 | King County Seattle/Tukwila 12720 Gateway Dr, Suite 208 |
Tuesday-Saturday |
| 4820 | Everett 906 Everett Mall Way, Suite 403 |
Tuesday-Saturday |
| 4814 | Lacey 719 Sleater-Kinney Rd, Suite 124 |
Tuesday-Saturday |
| 4815 | Kennewick 1410-B N Pittsburgh St, Suite B |
Saturday |
| 4817 | Spokane N 505 Argonne Rd, Suite 4 |
Tuesday-Saturday |
| 4818 | Vancouver First Place Plaza, Suite 130 12503 SE Mill Plain Rd |
Thursday-Saturday |
| 4813 | Wenatchee Wenatchee Valley College Sexton Hall, Computer Lab |
4th Saturday of each month |
| 4819 | Yakima 128 S 2nd Ave, Suite 104 |
Saturday |
| NOTE: This schedule is subject to change. | ||
The Department of Licensing and its testing agent, Promissor, are committed to equal access to its services to candidates who, because of disabilities or religious reasons, need special arrangements.
For more information related to Washington's requirements for licensure , contact the Department of Licensing, Real Estate Program.
Sales License: 360-664-6488
Broker License: 360-664-6500
For more information related to the examination registration process, contact Promissor: 800-274-5985
NEW REGULATIONS, Effective July 1, 1995
Licensing of Real Estate Brokers and Salesperson (Chapter 18.85 RCW)These requirements are administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing, with advice from the Washington Real Estate Commission.
Funding for development of this brochure was provided by the Real Estate Research Account administered by the Washington Real Estate Commission.
Prepared by:
Washington Center for Real Estate Research
Washington State University
PO Box 644844
Pullman, WA 99164-4844
509-335-7080 or
800-835-9683