Get Your Washington Real Estate License

Start by ensuring that you are at least 18 years old and a citizen of the USA. Legally admitted aliens with working rights in the country can also apply for a Washington real estate license. A high school "diploma" and "equivalent" is also mandatory.

You must complete six steps to be eligible for a real estate license in Washington.

Step 1: Complete the 90-hour Washington real estate license course. The course provider must be on the approved list of the Washington State Department of Licensing. You can choose either a classroom-based course or an online one per your preferred learning style.

Step 2: Schedule your Washington State Real Estate Licensing Examination with the PSI Testing Center. PSI offers testing centers throughout the U.S. 

Step 3: Pass the Washington real estate licensing exam. It consists of 130 multiple-choice questions divided into 100 in the National section and 30 in the state section. The passing grade is 70% which means that you must overall get at least 91 of the 130 questions right. 

Step 4: Submit your fingerprints at the nearest fingerprinting location to complete your criminal background check. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the FBI use your fingerprint to conduct this background check. 

Step 5: Find a Washington real estate Managing Broker who is willing to train and help grow your skills and expertise.  

Step 6: After receiving a notification from the Washington State Department of Licensing, apply for a Washington real estate license. Create a Sure Access Washington (SAW) account to apply for a license.

Once you receive your license, you can launch your real estate career in the state.

There are two parts to calculate the cost of obtaining a real estate license in Washington. 

Fixed cost comprises of the following:

✔     The license exam fee is $121 payable to PSI

✔     The licensure fee is $223

✔     Research fee is $10

✔     The cost for a fingerprint check is $8.05 payable online to IdentoGO.com

The total fixed cost is therefore $362.05

The next component is the variable cost which is the expenses for going through the 90-hour pre-licensing coursework. Prices for the study materials start from around $119 and go up to $1000. 

RealEstateU is one of the top online state-approved providers of Washington real estate license courses online. Their basic course starts at only $119.  You can also add  a study guide and e-textbook. Other courses from different real estate schools cost anywhere between $500 and $1,000.

Add the fixed and variable costs to arrive at the expenses to get a real estate license in Washington.

Though there are several schools in Washington offering classroom-based and online courses, by far the best in this niche is RealEstateU. They offer high-quality online courses at prices that will not break the bank.

Additionally, apart from the basic coursework, they also provide test prep and study guides. These have questions that simulate the real licensing exam. By answering these dummy questions, you will know how well-prepared you are for the licensing exam. Choose the RealEstateU real estate pre-licensing course in Washington and pass the licensing exam.

The 90-hour real estate course in Washington consists of two courses.

✔     60 hours of Real Estate Fundamentals

✔     30 hours of Real Estate Practices

Yes, you can complete a WA real estate course online. They offer more flexibility and convenience than classroom-based courses as you can study on the go.

The top paying cities in Washington for real estate agents are approximately as follows.   

✔     Everett, WA: $110,436 per year

✔     Kirkland, WA: $112,306 per year

✔     Seattle, WA: $120,883 per year

✔     Spokane, WA: $103,924 per year

✔     Bellevue, WA: $118.439 per year

The Washington State Real Estate Commission issues and regulates real estate licenses in the state. The Commission is a part of the Washington State Department of Licensing (WA State DOL).

A Realtor is not a separate designation. Any member of the National Association of Realtors is called a Realtor.

You must have a real estate license in Washington to assist people to buy, sell, rent, or lease properties and earn a fee in the process. Only with a license can you charge a commission from your clients for rendering these services.

A WA real estate license is valid throughout the state in all cities. With a license, you can practice in Everett, Kirkland, Seattle, or any other city or county in the state.

You must pass the real estate licensing exam to get a license in Washington. It consists of 2 parts, the national and the state-specific sections having 100 and 30 questions respectively. The exam duration is 3 hours 30 minutes and covers the following subjects.

✔     Finance

✔     Agency relationships and contracts

✔     Real property

✔     Calculations

✔     Property management

✔     Investment

✔     Market regulations

The first level of licensing in Washington is called “broker” instead of the common agent or salesperson. The next level of “broker” in other states is designated “managing broker” in Washington.  

Brokers and Managing Brokers are essentially different stages of the real estate industry. Brokers are at the beginner stage and have to work under a managing broker to gain the required experience. Managing brokers can also open their own brokerage firm and hire brokers.

Yes, a convicted felon is eligible for a real estate license in Washington. However, the Washington State Department of Licensing thoroughly reviews the application before approving it. 

Generally, crimes related to real estate, business, or financial mismanagement disqualifies an applicant to get a real estate license.  However, signs of reforming to an honest and trustworthy person, and present employment status with good recommendations works for the applicant.