How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Washington (2026 Guide)

Ready to get your Washington real estate license? Here’s Your Blueprint.

If you want to become a real estate agent in Washington, the process is straightforward, though the state does things a little differently than most: your license title will be “broker” (what most states call a salesperson or agent), and you’ll be working under a “managing broker” instead of a traditional broker.

You’ll need to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, get a background check, and select a sponsoring firm to work with. We’re going to walk you through the entire process and help you get your Washington real estate license so you can start your new career.

We’ll cover:

5 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Washington

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) has a few requirements to become a real estate broker. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent), and pass a background check. If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 90-Hour Real Estate Broker Pre-License Course

  • Washington’s 90-hour pre-license education is split into two required courses: a 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course and a 30-hour Real Estate Practices course. Topics include real estate law, agency relationships, contracts, financing, fair housing, and real estate math. You’ll need a passing score on the course final exam to get your certificate of completion.

STEP 2 | Get a Background Check

  • We recommend scheduling your fingerprinting appointment as soon as you pass your state exam. In Washington, you must pass your exam first, then submit fingerprints through IdentoGO®, who will send your prints to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the FBI for processing. It typically takes about 10 to 14 business days for your results to reach the DOL, so don’t apply for your license before you’ve received confirmation.

STEP 3 | Schedule + Pass the Washington Real Estate Exam

  • Once your school submits your course completion to PSI Testing Excellence (this can take up to 7 days), you’ll receive an email with instructions to register for your exam. The cost is $210 and covers both the national and Washington state portions of the exam.
  • The exam has 140 multiple-choice questions (130 scored, plus 10 unscored trial questions): 100 scored national questions and 30 scored Washington state questions. You need a scaled score of 70 or higher on each section independently to pass, and you must pass both sections within 6 months of each other. You also have up to 2 years from completing your pre-license course to pass the exam. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 4 |  Find a Sponsoring Firm

  • In Washington, a broker’s license must be held by a licensed real estate firm — you can’t practice independently. In order to activate your license after passing the exam, you’ll need to select a firm to affiliate with. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

STEP 5 |  Submit Your Washington Real Estate License Application

  • Once you’ve passed your exam and received your background check results, the next step is simple. Log in to the DOL’s online licensing system and complete your real estate broker license application. You’ll pay a $223 license fee (plus a $5 license printing fee) and confirm your sponsoring firm. Your license is valid for two years from the date it’s issued.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Washington, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 4 to 8 weeks to complete your 90-hour Washington pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks for your school to submit your completion record to PSI so you can register for the exam
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get fingerprinted and receive your background check results (this happens after you pass the exam in Washington)
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring firm
  • 1 to 2 weeks for the DOL to process your license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.  We also highly recommend interviewing firms while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to affiliate with a firm as soon as you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Washington in about 8 to 12 weeks.

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Washington

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Washington…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $400 to $700
  • State Exam Fee – $210 (covers both the national and state portions)
  • License Application Fee – $223 (plus a $5 printing fee)
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting – about $44
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $877 to $1,177


More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Washington. Keep in mind you are officially opening your own business, so there are always start-up costs involved.

One thing that’s unique to Washington: your first license renewal is heavier than most states. While most states require a modest number of continuing education hours to renew, Washington requires 90 hours of continuing education for your very first renewal (Advanced Practices, Real Estate Law, a Core course, Fair Housing, plus electives) — the same number of hours as your original pre-license course! Every renewal after that only requires 30 hours.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Washington:

ExpenseEstimated cost
First-renewal continuing educationApproximately $200–$400 for the required 90 hours
License renewalApproximately $223 every two years
Local, state, and national REALTOR® associationsCosts vary by location and organization. See examples below.
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)Approximately $150–$175 per quarter
SentriLock or Supra eKEY accessApproximately $100–$200 per year
Brokerage joining feeTypically $0–$500, with approximately $250 being common
Monthly brokerage feesApproximately $0–$350 per month
Business cards and signageVaries based on the brokerage and the materials purchased
Marketing and advertisingVaries based on how the agent chooses to promote their business

Examples of Washington REALTOR® Association Dues

AssociationEstimated dues
Seattle King County REALTORS® (Seattle and Bellevue area)$100 one-time application fee; contact the association for current annual dues
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS®Approximately $694 per year
Spokane REALTORS®Contact the association for current membership options and pricing

Because REALTOR® association dues, MLS access, and electronic-key service may be bundled together, check with your brokerage and local association before adding every expense separately.

** Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Washington = $1,870 to $2,970

OTHER EXPENSES TO EXPECT AS AN AGENT >>

Find the Best Real Estate Schools in WA

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Washington DOL. There are dozens of approved real estate schools throughout the state. Most of the pre-licensing courses are online, a few are in person, and others may do a combination of the two.

Here are a few of the most popular:

SEE WHICH SCHOOL IS BEST FOR YOU >

When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to consider:

  • Do they share their “pass rate”? This will tell you what percentage of their students passed the state exam on the first try.
  • Does the school offer any guarantees if you don’t pass? For example, one school will pay the fee for you to retake the state exam.
  • Are practice tests given to the students or is there any additional charge?
  • Do they offer a separate exam prep course or a weekend cram course?

How to Select a Washington Real Estate Brokerage

In Washington, you cannot practice real estate independently. To activate your license and represent buyers or sellers, you must affiliate with a licensed real estate firm (like Keller Williams, eXp Realty, Coldwell Banker) under the supervision of a Designated Broker.

Selecting the right firm is one of the most critical decisions you will make as a new agent. While many entry-level brokers prioritize finding the highest commission split, training, mentorship, and daily support should take top priority. A 90% commission split on zero transactions yields far less than a 60% split on three closed deals.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

Key Questions to Ask Potential Brokers

Before signing an affiliation agreement with a brokerage, interview multiple firms and ask the following questions:

  • Training & Onboarding: Does the firm offer a structured training curriculum for new brokers, or is education self-guided?
  • Real-Time Support: Will you have direct access to at least two or three experienced managing brokers or staff members when urgent contract questions arise?
  • After-Hours Availability: Is designated leadership reachable during evenings and weekends when most client showings and offer negotiations happen?
  • Mentorship Structure: Does the firm pair you with an active mentor, and what specific duties (e.g., attending open houses, reviewing purchase agreements) does that mentor perform?
  • Fees & Commission Splits: Beyond the commission split, what monthly desk fees, technology charges, or transaction fees will you be responsible for paying?

Taking the time to evaluate these factors ensures you align with a firm that actively invests in your long-term success as a Washington broker.

PRO TIP: Remember that you are interviewing the broker (not the other way around!). You want to make sure they provide the support you are going to need up front because you will be splitting a portion of the commission with them. Learn more about all the questions you should ask.

Getting a Washington Real Estate License: FAQs

How difficult is the Washington state real estate exam?

Most Washington brokers will describe the real estate licensing exam as “not easy.”  There are 140 questions on the exam (130 scored), split between a national section and a Washington state section, and you’ll need a scaled score of at least 70 on each section to pass.

What if I fail the real estate exam in Washington?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try. There are two sections on the exam. If you pass one but not the other, you’ll need to retake only the failed section, but you must pass both sections within 6 months of each other or you’ll have to retake the entire exam. Retaking a section costs the same $210 exam fee.

Please note: You also have up to 2 years from completing your pre-license course to pass the exam, so don’t wait too long to schedule it.

Can I get a real estate license if I have a misdemeanor or felony on my record?

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. The DOL reviews each applicant’s background check individually and considers factors like the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and evidence of rehabilitation. You’ll need to disclose any convictions on your application and may be asked to provide additional documentation. Visit the DOL website to learn more about how background checks are evaluated.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Washington offer reciprocity?

Washington doesn’t offer full reciprocity — everyone has to pass a Washington exam — but it does make things easier if you’ve held an active license in another state within the past 6 months. In that case, you’ll only need to pass the Washington state portion of the exam instead of both sections, and some of the pre-license education requirements may be waived. Contact the DOL directly to confirm what applies to your specific situation.

How much do real estate agents make in Washington?

According to Indeed.com, the average Washington broker makes about $89,323 a year. Of course, what you earn can vary greatly based on the home prices in your area — the Seattle metro area, in particular, has some of the highest home prices in the country, which can mean higher commissions per sale.

PRO TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example, if the median sales price in your area is $650,000 and you earn 2.5% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be about $16,250 per sale. To earn $89K annually, you’d have to sell about 5 to 6 homes.

What score do I need to pass the Washington real estate exam?

You must achieve a scaled score of at least 70 on both the National and Washington State-specific portions of the exam. Administered by PSI, the test includes 130 total questions (100 national and 30 state law).

What happens if I fail one part of the Washington broker exam?

If you pass one portion (National or State) but fail the other, you only need to retake the failed section. However, you must pass the second portion within 6 months of passing the first, or you will be required to retake both sections.

When should I submit my fingerprints for the background check?

The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) recommends completing your electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO after you pass both portions of the broker exam. Fingerprint background checks are valid for six months, so submitting them too early can result in expiration before your license application is fully processed.