How long does it take to get a Washington real estate license?

Typically 2 to 4 months. The 90 hours of coursework is the longest stretch (4–10 weeks for most people), your school can take up to 7 days to report completion to PSI, fingerprint results take up to 14 business days, and the online application itself is fast. Deadlines to know: take the exam within 2 years of finishing your courses, pass both portions within 6 months of each other, and apply within 1 year of passing.

How much does a Washington real estate license cost?

Expect roughly $800–$1,350 all-in: $250–$700 for the 90 hours of coursework, $210 for the PSI exam, about $45 for IdentoGO fingerprinting, and a $233 license fee. Note the exam fee: many sites still list the old $138.25 — DOL's current fee schedule shows $210 per attempt, including retakes.

What score do I need to pass the Washington broker exam?

70% on each portion. The exam has 140 questions — 100 scored national and 30 scored state (plus unscored pretest items) — and the portions are scored separately, so you must clear 70% on both. Fail one and you retake just that portion, but a retake costs the full $210.

Do I need a firm or managing broker to get my Washington license?

No — and this is one of Washington's friendlier rules. Your license is issued in inactive status with no firm required. When you pick a brokerage, the firm sends you an online request through DOL's system, you accept it, and your license activates immediately. Activating or transferring between firms is free.

Can I get a Washington real estate license with a criminal record?

Often yes. Washington runs a fingerprint-based WSP and FBI background check and reviews convictions case by case — DOL even offers a pre-application criminal conviction screening so you can find out before spending money on courses. Honesty is critical: an undisclosed conviction is more likely to sink an application than an old, disclosed one.

Why is Washington's entry-level license called a 'broker' license?

Since 2010, Washington has used 'broker' for what most states call a salesperson or agent — you still work under a managing broker at a firm, just with a different title. The supervisory license is called 'managing broker' in Washington and requires 3 years of experience plus 90 more hours of education. Don't let out-of-state guides confuse you: 90 hours gets you the entry license.

Washington · WA

How to get your Washington real estate license

Everything you need to earn a Washington salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.

Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.

Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026

How to get a Washington real estate license

Hours required: 90 hrs
Total cost: $800 – $1,350
Typical timeline: 6–16 weeks
Minimum age: 18+

Step 1

Confirm you're eligible for a Washington real estate license

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a Washington real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.

Step 2

Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education

Note: Washington is a broker-entry state: the entry-level license is called 'broker' (what most states call a salesperson or agent). You need 90 hours of pre-license education — a 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course plus a 30-hour Real Estate Practices course — and must take the exam within 2 years of completing the courses.

Confirm you're at least 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent (Washington requires it)
Complete the 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course from an approved school
Complete the 30-hour Real Estate Practices course to reach the 90-hour total
Have your school submit completion records to PSI (can take up to 7 days), then register your PSI account from the emailed link
Pass both the national and state exam portions within 2 years of finishing your education

Step 3

Pass the Washington real estate exam

Washington uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 70% on each portion, scored separately (pass both within 6 months of each other). The exam fee is $210. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: 140 multiple-choice questions — 105 national (100 scored) and 35 state (30 scored), computer-based at PSI; both portions typically taken in one 3.5-hour sitting.

Step 4

Apply for your Washington license

Pass both exams, then submit fingerprints through IdentoGO (about $45 for the WSP + FBI background check). You must pass the exam BEFORE fingerprinting — doing steps out of order causes delays. Results can take up to 14 business days and are valid for 6 years
Wait for DOL's email (within about 72 hours of passing) directing you to the online application via your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account
Pay the $233 original license fee (includes a mandatory $20 research fee). Online applications process fastest
You do NOT need a firm to apply: your license is issued in INACTIVE status. It activates instantly when a real estate firm sends you an online request to join and you accept it — no fee to activate or transfer
Apply within 1 year of passing your final exam, or you'll need to retest

Step 5

Find a sponsoring broker

Your Washington license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.

Washington real estate license cost breakdown

Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.

Cost breakdown
Item	Amount
90-hour pre-license education (Fundamentals + Practices)	$250 – $700
PSI exam fee (both portions)	$210 per attempt
Fingerprinting (IdentoGO)	~$45
Original license fee (includes $20 research fee)	$233
Estimated total	$800 – $1,350

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The 9 topics, 15 formulas, and 20 vocab terms you must know to pass. Includes your Washington licensing checklist as a bonus.

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Frequently asked questions

Renewal & continuing education

Washington: 2-year renewal cycle; $233 renewal fee. First renewal is the big one: 90 hours of education — a 30-hour Advanced Practices course, a 30-hour Real Estate Law course, the 3-hour Current Issues (Core) course, and 27 elective hours. Every renewal after that is 30 hours of CE including the 3-hour Core course..

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Moving your license?

See how Washington handles out-of-state licenses — full reciprocity, partial agreements, recognition, or start-over — and how every other state stacks up.

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