Real estate license requirements in Washington
Washington has no salesperson tier at all — your entry-level license is called a “Real Estate Broker,” with “Managing Broker” as the step above it. Expect 90 hours of pre-licensing education and a PSI exam with two scored sections.
Education
The Washington Department of Licensing requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education, split into two named courses.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Fundamentals | 60 | Foundational course |
| Real Estate Practices | 30 | Applied course |
Both courses need to come from a Department-approved provider before you’re eligible to sit for the exam.
What Washington calls your first license
This is Washington’s biggest quirk: there’s no “salesperson” license here at all. Your entry-level license is called a “Real Estate Broker” — and the tier above that, requiring additional experience and education, is called “Managing Broker.” If you’re used to “broker” meaning the senior license from other states, flip that expectation for Washington: here, “Broker” is where everyone starts.
The licensing exam
Washington’s exam is administered by PSI, with a national and a state-specific scored section plus unscored pretest items in each.
| Portion | Items | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| National | 100 scored + 5 unscored pretest | 70% |
| Washington state law | 30 scored + 5 unscored pretest | 70% |
| Total sitting | 3.5 hours | Both portions |
The exam fee is $210, and a retake (if you need one) also costs $210.
In most states, "broker" is the advanced tier above "salesperson." In Washington, "Real Estate Broker" is the entry-level license everyone starts with — "Managing Broker" is the tier above it. Double-check any course materials or reciprocity paperwork that assume standard terminology.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application & license fee | $233 total | WA Dept. of Licensing (includes a $20 research fee) |
| Exam fee | $210 | PSI (retake also $210) |
| Background check | $51 total | IdentoGO ($18 fingerprint + $33 background check) |
Budget roughly $494 in state and vendor fees on top of your course costs — Washington’s exam fee alone is notably higher than most neighboring states’.
How to apply, step by step
Washington’s process runs education, then background check and exam, then application.
From a Department-approved provider.
Also from a Department-approved provider.
$18 for fingerprinting plus $33 for the background check itself.
Both the national and Washington state-law portions, scoring at least 70% on each.
With the $233 fee, which includes a $20 research fee.
A Washington Real Estate Broker license must be affiliated with a licensed managing broker/firm to be active.
After you’re licensed: staying current
We could not confirm a distinct post-licensing education requirement for Washington beyond standard continuing education — if you’re a newly licensed Broker, confirm your specific first-renewal requirements directly with the Department of Licensing rather than assuming there’s a separate new-licensee course.
Reciprocity
Washington does offer a reciprocity pathway through a separate application process for licensees coming from other states, though we weren’t able to fully re-verify every detail of eligibility and requirements this pass. If you’re licensed elsewhere and considering Washington, contact the Department of Licensing directly to confirm current reciprocity terms for your specific state.
Common questions
Does Washington have a "salesperson" license?
No. Washington’s entry-level license is called “Real Estate Broker.” “Managing Broker” is the tier above it, requiring additional experience and education — there’s no separate salesperson category.
How much does Washington's exam cost?
$210 through PSI, for a combined sitting covering both the national and state-law portions. A retake also costs $210.
Is there a post-licensing course required in Washington?
We couldn’t confirm a distinct one — it appears to fold into Washington’s standard continuing education requirements. Confirm with the Department of Licensing what applies to you as a new licensee.
How much should I budget for the background check?
$51 total through IdentoGO — $18 for fingerprinting and $33 for the background check.
Can an out-of-state license help me get licensed in Washington?
Washington has a reciprocity pathway via a separate application, but we weren’t able to fully re-verify current eligibility details this pass — confirm directly with the Department of Licensing.
Next step
Washington Dept. of Licensing (Real Estate Program) — https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers
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