Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in Washington

Everything it takes to get licensed in Washington — 90 hours of pre-license education, the Pearson VUE exam, background check, a sponsoring broker and the real cost. Requirements set by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

Pre-license hours
90
State-approved
Licensing exam
Pearson VUE
Salesperson
Est. all-in cost
$870+
Course + fees
Typical timeline
2–5 mo
To activation
The Washington path, step by step
1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 years old and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent. Some steps in Washington also require legal U.S. residency or work authorization.

2/ 6

Complete 90 hours of approved pre-license education

Washington requires 90 classroom or online hours from a state-approved real estate school before you can sit for the exam.

3/ 6

Pass the Washington licensing exam

Sit the salesperson exam (Pearson VUE). It covers national real estate principles plus Washington-specific law. Most candidates need a scaled score around 70–75% to pass.

4/ 6

Complete a background check / fingerprinting

Submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check as required by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

5/ 6

Find a sponsoring broker

A new Washington salesperson must hang their license with a licensed sponsoring broker before they can practice.

6/ 6

Submit your application & activate

File your license application and fees with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), then activate under your broker to start representing clients.

Official source

Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)

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A Washington real estate license lets you represent buyers and sellers and earn commission on closed transactions. Once licensed, see what agents actually earn in Washington agent salary, and explore the state's active markets below. Licensing rules change — always confirm the current requirements directly with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

Washington markets
Seattle, WA real estate market→Spokane, WA real estate market→

Washington licensing FAQs

How many hours of education do you need to get a real estate license in Washington?
Washington requires 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education before you can take the salesperson exam.
How much does a Washington real estate license cost?
Budget roughly $870–$1,740 all-in for Washington: pre-license coursework, the exam fee, background check and application/licensing fees. Exact fees are set by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Washington?
Most people finish the 90-hour Washington coursework, pass the exam and activate in about 2–5 months, depending on study pace and scheduling.
Who regulates real estate agents in Washington?
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) issues licenses and sets the rules for Washington real estate salespeople and brokers.
Pre-license hours and the regulating authority for Washington are compiled from public state requirements and can change. Cost and timeline are estimates. Always verify current rules with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) before enrolling.