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Article Summary: This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Washington or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Washington. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more..

The Washington State Department of Licensing oversees the licensing of 29 different professional boards, including the Washington Real Estate Commission. The Commission advises the Director of the Department of Licensing regarding all aspects of the rules and regulations of the real estate licensees. The main office of the Real Estate Commission is in Olympia, Washington.

The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Washington include being at least 18 years of age and having successful completed at least 60 clock hours of approved real estate fundamentals education courses. These courses need to be completed within five years prior to applying for the examination, which all salesperson applicants need to pass. Once licensed, all salespersons need to complete 30 clock hours in a Real Estate Practices course plus 30 clock hours of continuing education courses which will include a 3-hour core curriculum.

The original license fee for a salesperson is $146.25, and the renewal fee, good for two years, is also $146.25. The salesperson examination fee is $138.25.  Your first salesperson’s license will expire on your second birthday following the issuance of the license.

Effective July 1, 1995, broker applicants need to have successfully completed 120 clock hours of instruction in approved real estate courses including: law, brokerage management, business management and an approved elective course. Once the experience and education requirements are met, the broker applicant needs to pass the real estate exams.

The broker examination fee is $138.25, and the original broker license fee is $210.00, and the renewal fee is also $210.00. Licenses are renewed for a two year period. Those holding a broker license in Washington need to complete 30 clock hours of approved continuing education courses every two years.

Starting January 2010, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) will schedule and conduct all real estate licensing tests. To schedule an exam, you will need to visit the AMP website, choose the “Real Estate” category, select “Washington Real Estate Examination Program,” and choose the exam you want.

You can locate the approved real estate schools for both prelicensure and continuing education courses online.

Applicants who are licensed in other jurisdictions need to contact the Real Estate Commission in Olympia about the requirements with regard to becoming licensed in Washington.

You can locate most of the Washington real estate forms online.

Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Organizations like the Washington Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) assist many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the world's largest professional association, are excellent resources for real estate education and professional enrichment.

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