Broker and real estate agent: Becoming a Real Estate Broker in Washington, D.C.

To become a real estate broker in Washington, D.C., you must complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education, hold an active salesperson license for 2 years immediately before applying, and pass both the national and state portions of the broker exam. The DC Real Estate Commission, part of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), regulates all real estate licensing in the District and offers three pathways to a broker license: examination, endorsement, and reciprocity. The terms broker and REALTOR® are distinct — a broker holds a state-issued license to operate independently or manage a brokerage, while a REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® who may hold any license type. A DC broker license allows you to work without supervision, sponsor salespersons, and run a real estate brokerage.

What is a real estate broker in Washington, D.C.?

A real estate broker in Washington, D.C. is a licensee who has met education and experience requirements beyond the salesperson level and can operate independently, sponsor salespersons, and manage a brokerage. The DC Real Estate Commission issues two broker-tier licenses. An Associate Broker is a broker who chooses to work under another broker's supervision rather than independently. A Real Estate Broker, also called an independent broker, can operate a brokerage, sponsor salespersons, and work without supervision. A person or entity can hold a broker's license in DC.

The Commission consists of 9 members appointed by the Mayor: 3 broker members, 2 salesperson members, 2 property manager members, 1 attorney, and 1 consumer member, according to the DC Real Estate Commission page^[1].

Requirements for a DC broker license

The Commission sets a 75% minimum on each exam portion and gives applicants 6 months from the exam date to file for licensure. Education and experience prerequisites cannot be waived — the full pre-licensing coursework is mandatory regardless of how long a salesperson has practiced.

The Commission enforces the experience requirement strictly: the salesperson license must remain active right up to the date of application, with no gaps in licensure that would reset the required period. An applicant with extensive experience but incomplete broker coursework does not qualify, because the education requirement stands independently from the experience requirement.

Broker pre-licensing education in Washington, D.C.

The DC Real Estate Commission mandates broker coursework from an approved school, covering topics such as brokerage management, contracts, agency relationships, and real estate investment. The Commission publishes an approved pre-licensing course list^[2] covering the 2023-2025 cycle. The list includes Academy of Real Property, which delivers the broker course through distance education, and Henderson Professional Development Seminars, which offers it in a classroom format.

The DC broker licensing exam

PSI administers the DC broker licensing exam on behalf of the DC Real Estate Commission. Candidates schedule through PSI at psiexams.com^[3] or by phone at 1-855-557-0616. PSI offers both test center and online remote proctoring delivery options for real estate exams, according to its real estate exam overview^[3].

Pathways to a DC broker license

DC offers three pathways to a broker license: examination, endorsement, and reciprocity. All three require 2 years of experience as a licensed salesperson with an active license. The examination pathway requires completing DC's pre-licensing education and passing both portions of the broker exam. The endorsement and reciprocity pathways require only the state (DC) portion of the broker exam.

Endorsement and reciprocity applicants must both complete a 3-hour DCREC-approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DCREC-approved Property Management course. Both pathways also require an original letter of license certification from the originating jurisdiction, dated within 90 days and bearing an official seal, as stated on the DC Real Estate Commission page^[1]. DC maintains formal reciprocity agreements with Virginia and Maryland for brokers and salespersons, though licensees from other states may also qualify under the endorsement pathway.

DC broker license fees

The DC Real Estate Commission charges an application fee, a broker license fee, and a Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund fee at initial licensure. The DC Real Estate Commission page^[1] lists the following fees for individual broker licenses:

The Guaranty and Education Fund fee is required at initial licensure and at every renewal. Broker licenses renew on February 28 of odd-numbered years.

Career outlook for real estate brokers

Real estate brokers earned a median annual wage of $72,280 nationally as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics^[4]. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,920, and the highest 10% earned more than $166,730. Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 46,300 job openings projected each year on average.

In 2024, real estate brokers held about 111,300 jobs nationally, and 54% were self-employed, the BLS reports. Brokers and sales agents earn most of their income from commissions on sales.

Next steps

If you hold an active DC salesperson license, your next step is to enroll in a broker pre-licensing course from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider. After completing the coursework, schedule the broker exam through PSI, pass both portions, and submit your license application with the required fees. If you are not yet licensed as a salesperson, start with the salesperson pre-licensing course, pass the salesperson exam, and gain the required experience before pursuing broker licensure.