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Washington’s real estate license is the most desirable in the state and can make your career as a broker or agent more lucrative. With so many lenders allowing no down payment, you’ll also get paid faster than ever before.
In Washington, real estate brokers are referred to as real estate agents. To become one, you must complete 90 hours of prelicensing study certified by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), pass the real estate test, submit an application, choose a sponsoring brokerage, and pass a background check. Put on your Seattle tuxedo, buy a leaded Starbucks cup, and read our guide to getting your Washington real estate license.
1. Comply with Washington’s Legal Requirements for a Real Estate License
The legal requirements for becoming a real estate agent in Washington are comparable to those in other states. You must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. Washington real estate brokers, unlike most other states, are required to submit fingerprints and undergo a background check every six years.
What if I told you that
Because Washington has reciprocity with other jurisdictions, you may become a broker in Washington State if you have equal real estate education and have been licensed in another state for the previous six months. While you may opt-out of prelicensing schooling, you must still pass a background check and take the state section of the test before submitting your reciprocal application.
In terms of mobility, Washington is also a cooperative state. It permits out-of-state real estate agents and brokers to do real estate business in the state. Out-of-state agents, on the other hand, must have a co-brokerage agreement with a licensed in that state in order to operate on a real estate transaction.
2. Complete all pre-licensing courses that are required.
You’re ready to attend your prelicensing seminars after you’ve verified that you meet the Washington prequalifications. Accredited real estate schools in Washington provide high-quality instruction in person or online, with rates ranging from $164 to $309. The 90 hours of prelicensing education necessary in Washington to become a real estate agent is divided into two parts: 60 hours of Real Estate Fundamentals and 30 hours of Real Estate Practices, and it includes the following topics:
- Controls and limitations on land use
- Market research and valuation
- Financing
- Agency principles in general
- Disclosures about the property
- Contracts
- Property management and leasing
- Transfer of ownership
- Real estate practice
- Calculations for real estate
What if I told you that You may be excluded from the licensing requirements for becoming a broker in Washington State if you are a current attorney in good standing with the Washington Bar.
There are numerous recognized online real estate colleges to select from, but if you’re ready to finish your prelicensing study to become a real estate broker in Washington State, Kaplan for online education is a good place to start. In a self-paced approach, Kapan provides a range of tiered course packages with add-on extras including live group study and on-demand video test preparation.
3. Complete Fingerprinting & Background Check
All candidates must provide fingerprints in order for the state of Washington to conduct a background check. Because fingerprinting results typically take 10 to 14 days to show in the DOL system, it’s crucial to arrange fingerprinting alongside the real estate test and application for the license.
Residents of Washington should make an appointment with MorphoTrust/IdentoGO, a third-party portal that performs background checks, online. The service costs about $50 and may be purchased with a credit or debit card immediately on the internet.
If MorphoTrust/IdentoGO has sites in your region, out-of-state citizens may utilize them. You may also get your fingerprints taken and sent to the Division of Real Estate by going to your local law enforcement department or a private fingerprint firm in your region. The cost of fingerprinting varies based on the business you pick. Visit the DOL website for additional information about out-of-state fingerprinting.
4. Take the Real Estate Exam in Washington
The Washington real estate test has a high pass rate, with 71 percent passing the national section and 75 percent passing the state portion. Because the test is computer-based, you will know if you passed or failed the exam right away.
If you fail the test, you will be given a diagnostic breakdown outlining the areas where you need to improve. You’ll also get reapplication instructions in case you need to retake one or both parts of the test. If you pass one part of the test, you must pass the other part within six months or you will have to retake the full exam.
Details about the Washington Real Estate Exam
Make Your Exam Appointment
The supplier for your Washington real estate license test is PSI, a nationwide platform for state licensing examinations. You’ll need to register an account on the PSI website before you can start scheduling. Before you may register for the test, your education provider must submit your Certificate of Completion. You’ll be given access to the scheduling site after your school has submitted your schooling information.
You will get a copy of the Candidate Information Handbook for further testing information after you have registered. The test costs $138.25 and may be paid with a credit or debit card immediately on the website. Keep in mind that you must take your test within two years after completing your degree, and your exam results are only valid for one year after you pass it.
Are you a bad test taker? That’s fine—consider utilizing Real Estate Test Scholar’s real estate exam preparation resources to ensure you pass the Washington real estate licensing exam on your first try. For $39, you receive six months of practice examinations, flashcards, study materials, and other resources to help you prepare for the Washington real estate exam. They also provide a money-back guarantee on their passes.
5. Decide the company you want to work for.
You must locate a sponsoring brokerage with whom to associate your Washington real estate license in order to keep it valid.
6. Submit an application for a Washington driver’s license
Wait four business days after passing your real estate test before applying for a Washington real estate license to guarantee your passing score is recorded in the Real Estate Licensing Division’s system. Your passing score report, on the other hand, is regarded as an interim license that is valid for up to 45 days from the application’s postmark date.
The Real Estate Application Form may be submitted online or by mail to the Real Estate Licensing Division. To acquire access to the “To-Do” Box, which enables you to submit your application, you must first register on the web portal. Keep in mind that fingerprints take 14 days to get and exam results take four days to receive, so you won’t be able to apply until then. The license price is $146.25, and it may be paid with a credit or debit card online.
It is still possible to earn a Washington real estate license if you have a criminal record. To decide whether you’re qualified for licensing, the DOL will go through your responses to the criminal history inquiries as well as your fingerprinting report. They will consider the kind of crime, the severity of the conviction, how the crime relates to the practices of your profession, and the length of time since the conviction before deciding whether or not your application to become a real estate broker in Washington will be granted.
7. Get Your Real Estate Career Started
You’re ready to begin your real estate adventure now that you’ve discovered how to get Washington real estate.
