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, 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 does not issue a separate license for commercial real estate; the District's real estate salesperson license covers real estate practice generally. To obtain the license, you must complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider, pass both the national and state (DC) portions of the salesperson exam with a minimum 75% score, and submit a license application with required fees within 6 months of passing. PSI administers the exam, and candidates can schedule at psiexams.com or by phone at 1-855-557-0616.
DC requires 60 hours of pre-licensing education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider for a salesperson license. For a broker license, DC requires 135 hours of pre-licensing education. Both courses are available in classroom and distance education formats from providers on the commission's approved-education list.
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.
| Provider | Course | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Real Property | Salesperson (60 hr) | Distance Education |
| Colibri Real Estate LLC | Salesperson (60 hr) | Classroom |
| Cooke Real Estate School | Salesperson (60 hr) | Distance Education |
| Henderson Professional Development Seminars | Salesperson (60 hr) | Classroom |
| Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate | Salesperson (60 hr) | Classroom |
| The CE Shop | Salesperson (60 hr) | Distance Education |
| Weichert Real Estate School | Salesperson (60 hr) | Classroom |
Four providers offer classroom instruction, and three offer distance education.
The DC Real Estate Commission publishes an approved-education list of providers that offer the required 60-hour salesperson and 135-hour broker pre-licensing courses. Approved providers deliver courses in both classroom and distance education formats. The list is available on the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection website.
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.
Yes, the DC Real Estate Commission approves pre-licensing courses delivered through distance education. Both the 60-hour salesperson course and the 135-hour broker course are available in distance education format from providers on the commission's approved-education list. Course access periods vary by provider.
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.
Yes, the DC Real Estate Commission's approved pre-license course list for 2023-2025 includes distance education (online) options for the 135-hour broker pre-licensing course. Approved delivery methods include both classroom and distance education formats, so applicants can choose between online and in-person instruction for the broker course.
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.
DC does not require pre-license education for a Property Manager license, though a 45-hour Property Manager course is available from at least one DCREC-approved provider on a voluntary basis. The Property Manager license fee is $170.00, and applicants must also pay a $65.00 application fee and a $60.00 Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund fee. Property Manager licenses expire on February 28 in odd-numbered years on a two-year renewal cycle, with a renewal fee of $170.00.
DC requires a 3-hour Property Management course as part of endorsement and reciprocity applications and as one of four mandatory CE topics for license renewal. The 3-hour Property Management CE course is available online through DCREC-approved CE providers, including on-demand options. A separate, non-mandated 45-hour Property Manager pre-license course is offered by at least one DCREC-approved provider in classroom format only.
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.
DC requires 60 hours of pre-licensing education for salespersons and 135 hours for brokers, both completed through DCREC-approved providers. Approved courses are available in classroom and distance education formats. Tuition varies by provider and delivery method, with salesperson courses typically costing several hundred dollars depending on format and included features.
Some providers allow students to pay in installments rather than paying the full tuition upfront.
Some DCREC-approved pre-licensing course providers offer financing or payment plan options, including monthly installment plans for online distance education courses. The availability and terms of these plans vary by provider and course package tier. Both the 60-hour salesperson course and the 135-hour broker course are offered in distance education formats where financing may be available.
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.
Sources
- DCREC Approved Pre-License Courses (2023–2025)GovernmentAugust 2026
- HUD — Fair Housing Act OverviewGovernmentMarch 2026
- DC DLCP — Real Estate CommissionGovernmentAugust 2026
- PSI — Real Estate License Exam GuideGovernmentAugust 2026