DC real estate classes: 60-hour pre-licensing course

DC requires 60 hours of pre-licensing education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider before you can sit for the salesperson licensing exam. The course, officially titled "Principles and Practices of Real Estate for Salespersons - 60 Hours," covers property ownership, agency relationships, contracts, finance, valuation, fair housing, and DC-specific real estate regulations. Seven providers offer approved real estate classes in classroom or distance education formats, and both formats satisfy the District's pre-licensing education requirement.

What the DC salesperson pre-licensing course covers

The 60-hour DC salesperson pre-licensing course teaches the principles, practices, statutes, and regulations required to practice real estate in the District. The DC Real Estate Commission lists the course under the title "Principles and Practices of Real Estate for Salespersons - 60 Hours" in its 2023-2025 approved pre-license courses catalog^[1].

The curriculum covers the following topic areas:

• Property ownership and real property concepts
• Agency relationships, including buyer's agency, seller's agency, and dual agency
• Federal fair housing law and DC-specific fair housing protections
• Ethics of practice
• Contract law, including purchase agreements, listing contracts, and contingencies
• Property valuation using the sales comparison, cost, and income approaches
• Real estate finance, including conventional loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA), VA, and alternative financing
• Legal descriptions and land use controls
• Disclosures and environmental issues
• Property management and landlord-tenant law
• DC real estate license law and commission rules
• Taxes, titling, and closing procedures

The Fair Housing Act, enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability, as stated on the HUD Fair Housing Act overview page^[2]. DC pre-licensing courses integrate federal fair housing law with DC-specific protections, which also appear on the state portion of the licensing exam.

The pre-licensing course prepares students for all types of real estate transactions.

DC Real Estate Commission-approved course providers

The DC Real Estate Commission approves seven providers to offer the 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing course, according to the 2023-2025 DCREC approved pre-license courses catalog^[1]. Each provider delivers the course through either classroom instruction or distance education.

Four providers offer classroom instruction, and three offer distance education.

Online and classroom course delivery formats

DC approves two delivery methods for pre-licensing education: Classroom (CR) and Distance Education (DE). Both formats cover the same curriculum, but they differ in structure, scheduling, and pace.

Classroom courses follow a set schedule with live instruction at the provider's location. Programs typically run several weeks, with weekday schedules completing faster than evening or weekend options. This format suits students who prefer structured environments and direct interaction with instructors.

Students who want to study real estate online can choose distance education. These self-paced courses let students access materials, video resources, and downloadable content on their own schedule, making them suitable for students who need flexible scheduling or prefer to learn at their own pace.

Course final exam and completion requirements

DC pre-licensing courses end with a school-administered final exam that students must pass to earn a certificate of completion. This exam is separate from the DC licensing exam. Some providers allow unlimited retakes of the course final exam, while others limit attempts. Retake policies vary by provider, so confirm the policy before enrolling.

Students receive a certificate of completion from their provider and submit it with their license application as proof of satisfying the pre-licensing education requirement.

Course access windows and expiration policies

Most DC pre-licensing course providers limit how long students have to complete the course. Access windows range from 3 to 6 months depending on the provider.

Three months is the most common access window among DC providers, measured from the date of purchase or from when login credentials are issued. Extensions are typically available for an additional charge, and some providers offer a discounted repurchase option if the course expires before completion.

Students who anticipate needing more time should confirm extension policies before enrolling or choose a provider with a longer access window.

The 135-hour broker pre-licensing course

DC requires 135 hours of pre-licensing education for the broker license, titled "Principles and Practices of Real Estate for Brokers - 135 Hours" in the DCREC approved courses catalog^[1]. The broker course builds on the salesperson curriculum with advanced topics in brokerage management, supervision, and regulatory compliance.

Two approved providers offer the broker course: Academy of Real Property (distance education) and Henderson Professional Development Seminars (classroom). Broker applicants must also hold an active salesperson license for 2 years immediately preceding the application.

Property management education in DC

Property management licensing in DC operates under a separate framework from salesperson licensing. The 45-hour Property Manager course from approved providers covers tenant screening, lease agreements, maintenance, and landlord-tenant law.

Choosing your DC pre-licensing course

When selecting a real estate school from the approved providers, weigh delivery format, course cost, access window, instructor support, and accreditation. Tuition varies by provider and package level.

Some providers allow students to pay in installments rather than paying the full tuition upfront.

Factors to evaluate when comparing providers:

• Format: Choose classroom for structured, live instruction; choose distance education for flexibility
• Access window: Confirm how long you have to complete the course and whether extensions are available
• Support: Check whether the provider offers instructor access, live chat, phone support, or study resources
• Final exam policy: Confirm the retake policy and whether exam prep materials are included
• Package options: Some providers bundle exam prep, practice tests, or post-licensing materials with the pre-licensing course

After completing your pre-licensing course

Once you pass the course final exam and receive your certificate of completion, your next steps are scheduling the DC licensing exam through PSI and submitting your license application to the DC Real Estate Commission. The commission requires license applications within 6 months of passing the licensing exam, according to the DC Real Estate Commission page^[3]. PSI schedules exams at psiexams.com^[4] or by phone at 1-855-557-0616.