Washington licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington
A practical step-by-step guide to Washington licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Washington licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 27, 2026
- License type
- Real Estate Broker
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 90 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Estimated cost
- $700–$1,200
- Estimated timeline
- 3–6 months
- Renewal cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
Washington brokers must renew their license every two years. For the first renewal, brokers must complete 90 hours of continuing education, including a 30‑hour Advanced Real Estate Practices course, a 30‑hour Real Estate Law course, a 3‑hour Current Issues course and 27 hours of other approved education. Subsequent renewals require 30 hours of CE with a 3‑hour Current Issues course and at least 27 hours of elective topics.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet eligibility requirements
You must be at least 18 years old and have a high‑school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 90‑hour pre‑licensing education
Finish a 60‑hour Real Estate Fundamentals course and a 30‑hour Real Estate Practices course within two years of taking the exam.
Pass the licensing exam
Register with PSI, pay the $210 examination fee and pass both the national and state sections.
Submit fingerprints and apply for licensure
Complete a fingerprint‑based background check and apply through the Washington State Department of Licensing, paying the original license fee of $233.
Obtain sponsorship and activate license
Affiliate with a managing broker to activate your license.
Renew your license and complete continuing education
Renew every two years. For the first renewal, complete 90 hours of CE: 30‑hour Advanced Real Estate Practices, 30‑hour Real Estate Law, 3‑hour Current Issues and 27 hours of approved electives. For subsequent renewals, complete 30 hours, including a 3‑hour Current Issues course and 27 hours of electives.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $700–$1,200. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing education | $300–$500 | Cost of a 90‑hour education package, typically delivered as a 60‑hour fundamentals course and a 30‑hour practices course. |
| Exam fee | $210 | PSI examination fee for both portions. |
| Original license fee | $233 | Fee to obtain the initial broker license. |
| Background check & fingerprinting | $50 | Approximate cost for fingerprinting and criminal history check. |
| Renewal fee | $233 | Biennial renewal fee for a broker license. |
| Continuing education | $100–$300 | Cost of CE courses (90‑hour first renewal package or 30‑hour renewal package). |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
What are the continuing education requirements for Washington brokers?
First‑time renewals require 90 hours of CE, including a 30‑hour Advanced Practices course, 30‑hour Real Estate Law course, 3‑hour Current Issues course and 27 hours of electives. Subsequent renewals require 30 hours of CE with a 3‑hour Current Issues course.
What is the licensing exam fee in Washington?
PSI charges $210 to take the Washington broker examination.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.