| Requirement | Washington |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 90 hours |
| Exam administrator | Pearson VUE |
| License / application fee | $233 (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)) |
| Exam fee | $210 (commission website, crawled Jul 2026) |
| Regulator | Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 5,150 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $79,130 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Washington
To get a Washington real estate salesperson license you complete 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Washington real estate license?
Washington requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the Pearson VUE salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in Washington?
Getting licensed in Washington takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 90 hours of pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 90 hours of pre-license education
Washington requires 90 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Washington salesperson exam
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and covers national real estate principles plus Washington law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Washington salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), then activate under your broker.
How much does a Washington real estate license cost?
Washington's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: $233 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); $210 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in Washington?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Washington earned a median of $79,130 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $48,680. See the full Washington agent salary breakdown.
What are Washington’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 21 Washington housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $537,625 as of September 2026, from $359,450 in Othello to $799,495 in Ellensburg; 13 of 21 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $749,970 | -2.4% | 51 | 13,078 |
| Spokane, WA | $477,950 | -4.4% | 52 | 2,469 |
| Kennewick, WA | $499,900 | -2.0% | 58 | 1,235 |
| Olympia, WA | $569,500 | -0.5% | 60 | 1,030 |
| Bellingham, WA | $645,000 | -4.2% | 57 | 1,004 |
All tracked markets: Washington housing market hub.
Washington real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Washington?
Washington requires 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) requirements.
How much does a Washington real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: $233 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); $210 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Course tuition varies by school. The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Washington real estate exam?
Pearson VUE administers the Washington salesperson exam. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PSI Testing Excellence; confirm the current vendor with the commission.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Washington?
No. Washington requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Washington?
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) licenses and regulates Washington real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) before enrolling. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PSI Testing Excellence; confirm the current vendor with the commission.