How to Get a Washington Real Estate License Online

Step-By-Step Guide to Get your Real Estate License in WA State

Are you interested in becoming a real estate broker in the great state of Washington? Of course you are, real estate is booming here! Well, hold on tight  cause we’re gonna fire off the five steps you need to get your hands on a Washington real estate broker license.

You ready? Let’s break it down, step by step.

Step 1: Complete Pre-Licensing Education Online

You’re required to take a “pre-licensing” education class where you’ll study the principles of real estate, contracts, and finance. Not a fan of school? Well, these classes just might change how you feel about school. You have so many options. Many of them are even entirely online which has huge advantages! Online classes means you can do them at your own pace and work them in around your own schedule even if you have a full-time job. Also, the classes are only a total of 90 hours. That may seem like a big number, but to get started in a new career, that number is just a speck in time.

But what’s included in those 90 hours? Take a look at the curriculum and see for yourself:

• Real Estate Fundamentals (60-hour course)
• Real Estate Practices (30-hour course)

The pass rates after taking these classes are sky-high, typically over a 91% pass rate and the support these classes offer is amazing. 

Students are always surprised how affordable these classes are. Take a look at the best online real estate schools in Washington and see for yourself. 

Step 2: Pass Pre-Licensing Final Exam

Immediately after you finish your pre-licensing course materials, you are required to pass the course final exam. You must score at least a 70% in order to pass. You can take this exam as many times as you need to.

Step 3: Take WA Real Estate Exam Online

In Washington, it is the Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) and PSI that handles the administration of the real estate licensing exam. The actual test is comprised of two portions–the national and state portion. You can schedule your exam on the AMP website.

The Washington real estate broker examination is all done on the computer, and can be taken in one of the 12 locations throughout the state or online, but appointments must be made in advance.

Here are more details you should know about the real estate examination:

• The exam is multiple choice (4 answer options)
• There are 130 questions that you have to answer. The national portion of the exam has 100, while the state portion has 30 questions in it. The total time that is allotted for the exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes. You must score 70% of the questions correctly in order to pass the exam.
• On your exam date, you must show up with two recent forms of photo identification (I.D.)
• As you already know, the exam has both state and national questions –  but the questions are mixed, that is, they are not separated into two sections. There are seven topics in the national portion of the examination.

The Washington broker examination has two distinct features that aren’t available in other states:

1. You can bookmark questions. If you are not completely sure of the right answer to a question, you can bookmark it. You will find the empty box button at the bottom right-hand corner of the page. All you need to do is tap the box and the question will be bookmarked for later review.
2. If you want to check how much time you have left when taking the exam, you will find an exam timer at the bottom right-hand corner. Your examination will end automatically after three hours thirty minutes whether you are done answering your questions or not.

After taking your exam, you will see your score displayed on your computer screen. Your exam proctor will generate your score report. Your passing score report will carry an application for attaining a broker’s license in Washington. Your results will only be valid for one year if you passed your exam. If you don’t apply for a broker license within that one year you will need to start the process over.

Step 4: Background Check

In Washington, before you can apply for your real estate broker license, you must answer some questions regarding your criminal history and also submit your fingerprints so a background check can be conducted.

A fingerprint card will be given to you at the testing center where you sit for your broker’s examination. To fill in your card and get your fingerprints taken, visit any fingerprints service that the Washington State Patrol website has approved.

Step 5: Finish your Application

To fill out your application, go to the WA DOL website. You should submit your application with your fingerprint card. In Washington, as soon as you accept an online request to be a part of a real estate company, your broker license will be activated.

You have total freedom to choose which company you work for. Here’s some things a real estate agent in Washington state should look at when choosing a managing broker/brokerage:

• Commission Rate
  • Look at each brokerage’s commission rate when you’re shopping around. If they’ve got a good rate, your commission checks will be larger than life. 💸
• Niche
  • Maybe you want a brokerage that focuses on a niche on a location or a specific category of real estate like commercial retail, single family homes, or fixer-uppers. So if you have a specific interest you can find a broker who shares that interest.
• Culture
  • Maybe the company’s culture is important to you. If so, get to know what they’re all about, how they work, and what’s important to them.

That’s all just to say that you have the freedom to choose a brokerage that fits you.

WA DOL’s real estate criteria to get your license

Let’s answer the most obvious question straight out of the gate. “What the heck is WA DOL and why do I need to impress them?!” Well, WA DOL is short for the Washington State Department of Licensing and it’s their job to make sure all brokers in Washington are capable, qualified, and can lawfully work in the state. To do so, they have some basic criteria you must meet. Luckily, most of the Washington real estate license requirements are pretty straightforward.

Let’s meet the criteria:

1. You should be at least 18 years old.
2. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
3. Must be a permanent resident alien or a United States citizen.

If you meet these basic requirements, you can then start on the steps below.

How much does a real estate license in Washington cost?

The following costs apply when obtaining a Washington real estate broker license:

• Take the exam: $138.25
• Retake the exam: $138.25
• State & National Background Checks: $42.80
• Get your original license: $146.25
• Renew your license: $146.25
• Get a duplicate license: $26.50
• Get license certification: $26.50

Besides these fees you pay to the Washington State Department of Licensing, you would also pay for the prelicensing course, which is provided by accredited real estate schools in WA. Each education provider has a different set of features and services it offers, so the prices can vary. Usually, the prelicensing course will cost you around $250 to $500, depending on the specific features you need.

You should also account for prep courses, study materials, and other expenses that may arise on your journey to become a licensed real estate broker in Washington. 

*U.S. Veterans may be eligible for partial reimbursements of costs. 

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

The time it takes to get your Washington state real estate broker’s license depends on several factors, with the prelicensing education course being the most time-consuming part. If you want to finish the prelicensing education course in the shortest possible time, you can take four or five hours per day at which pace you would finish the course within three to four weeks. 

Once you’ve completed the prelicensing course and sent the documents over to the examination provider, they will process the paper application and, within approximately two weeks, will send a confirmation notice, including information on how to schedule an examination appointment. 

Scheduling the exam is done by order and usually takes several days to two weeks. Once you pass the exam, your exam results will be sent to the Department within three days. If you pass only one portion of the exam, you have six months to pass the other portion. Otherwise, you would have to retake the full exam once again. 

What’s the real estate agent salary in Washington?

Washington agents make $69,700 a year on average. That breaks down to $33.51 per hour. A top-paid broker in Washington can earn $107,570 or more.

All areas of Washington state earn more than $50,000 annually, with the top-paying area being Walla Walla, where brokers earn $75,800 per year on average. Top agents make the most in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, where the annual 90th percentile wage is $117,890.

Agents in Washington’s highest paying cities can make as much as:

• Seattle: $121,226
• Everett: $110,970
• Spokane: $104,616
• Bellevue: $119,094
• Tacoma: $110,670
• Puyallup: $101,792
• Kirkland: $112,820
• Vancouver: $106,735
• Port Orchard: $99,865

How Much Do Homes Cost in Washington? 

The price of a typical Washington home is $608,350. Values have gone up by 9.4% over the past year. Here’s how home prices break down according to city. 

• Spokane: $333,000
• Seattle: $816,000
• Olympia: $537,170
• Tacoma:  $497,619
• Quincy: $306,000
• Bothell: $800,000
• Yakima: $291,900
• Auburn: $495,200
• Westport: $229,800
• Davenport: $254,800

What are Commission Splits Like in Washington?

Washington agents typically split a commission of 5-6% off every home sale. The average commission is 5.29%.

This commission is further split with their brokerage. Here’s an idea of what some brokerages in the area require in terms of commission: 

• CBRE: 50/50
• JLL: 50/50
• Redfin: Redfin pays agents a salary along with profit shares and bonuses. Average take home pay is $73,061 per year. 
• Greystar: 60/40
• Keller Williams: 50/50