Real Estate Broker / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Real Estate Broker License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Manages real estate transactions and may employ real estate agents.

What the Washington data shows for Real Estate Brokers

To practice as a real estate broker in Washington, the state licensing board requires 230 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Real Estate Broker Exam, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Washington's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Broker Pre-License Coursework".

Budget $334 to get started, plus $273 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 16 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Real Estate Broker · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
230 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$334
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$137/yr
$273 every 2 years
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
16 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Broker Pre-License Coursework
230 hours
Exam Requirement
State Real Estate Broker Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$334
Renewal Fee
$273
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
16 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Real Estate Broker All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Real Estate Broker in Washington? ▼
In Washington, the license path calls for 230 education/training hours, a passing score on State Real Estate Broker Exam, and a $334 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Real Estate Broker in Washington? ▼
Certification as a real estate broker in Washington means clearing the state's checklist: 230 hours of education plus 2 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Washington licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Real Estate Broker license to Washington from another state? ▼
For real estate brokers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Washington licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Washington require a background check for Real Estate Broker licensing? ▼
Washington does require a background check before issuing a real estate broker license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Real Estate Broker in Washington? ▼
To stay licensed as a real estate broker in Washington, plan on 16 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $273.

Related Guides

What to do with this real estate broker license

Real Estate Broker in Washington, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a real estate broker-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Washington's real estate broker requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Real Estate Broker in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state real estate broker license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Washington's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Washington overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.