50-State Real Estate Broker Licensing Compliance Guide
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Washington Real Estate License

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Licensing requirements for Washington brokerage firms.

A business entity offering real estate brokerage services to the public typically must register with the real estate commission before conducting business activity. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Company Licenses

Washington Real Estate Company Licenses

Washington Real Estate Branch Office License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Section
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

A branch office for a real estate firm must: Be authorized by the designated broker, have the same Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number as the firm, be established under the name of the firm and have a managing broker licensed for the branch office who is endorsed as a branch manager

Requirement Notes:

A branch office for a real estate firm must: Be authorized by the designated broker, have the same Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number as the firm, be established under the name of the firm and have a managing broker licensed for the branch office who is endorsed as a branch manager

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$288

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$288

Due:

Biennially by date of issuance. 

Washington Real Estate Broker License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Section
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

  • To qualify for a designated broker's endorsement, you must have

    • A Washington State real estate managing broker license.

    • A controlling interest in each firm for which you're a designated broker.

  • This endorsement expires every 2 years. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Real Estate Firm Application

Instructions:

Name approval

  • Check with the state to see if the firm name and other business names you want to use are available by sending a brief cover letter including:
    • your name
    • contact information
    • desired firm name
    • desired DBA name
    • desired assumed names other than the DB
  • Wait for a name approval email.

Foreign Qualification

  • After the business names are approved, limited partnerships (LP/LLLP) and limited liability companies/partnerships (LLCs/LLPs) must file appropriate business formation paperwork (sos.wa.gov) with the Washington Secretary of State.

General Business License

  • File a business license application with Business Licensing Service of the Department of Revenue to get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number and to register your DBA and any assumed names as trade names

Firm License

  • Apply for a firm license
    • Prepare your documents for upload
    • Create your SAW account to apply and pay your fees online
    • Submit your assumed name approval to Real Estate Regulatory at reregulatory@dol.wa.gov.
      • The request must be submitted by the person who is endorsed as the Designated Broker.
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$304

Notes:

If you plan to open branch offices, you must get a branch office license for each location in addition to the firm license.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Online

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$304

Due:

Biennially

Individual Licenses

Washington Individual Real Estate Licenses

Washington Real Estate Broker License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Real Estate License Application

Agency Fee:

$223

Registration Renewal

Form:

Real Estate Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$223

Due:

Biennially

Washington Real Estate Managing Broker License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Real Estate License Application

Agency Fee:

$320

Registration Renewal

Form:

Real Estate Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$320

Due:

Biennially

Learn about real estate licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Associate Broker - Associate brokers are qualified to work independently as a broker, but choose to work under the authority of a designated broker.

On-Site Manager - A broker or salesperson who oversees the operations of a branch office under the authority of the designated broker.

Qualifying Broker/Designated Broker - An experienced and licensed real estate broker responsible for management and operation of a real estate firm.

Real Estate - Land, buildings, and their permanent improvements and fixtures. Also called "real property" in contrast to personal property.

Real Estate Agent - This term refers generally to any licensed real estate professional.

Reciprocity - Reciprocity makes it easier for out-of-state real estate firms to gain approval to operate in a foreign state by streamlining some licensing requirements.

Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO)
Offers a license verification database accross 43 jurisdictions.

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Agencies
Aid education, research, and advocacy efforts in the real estate industry.

National Association of Realtors
Real estate trade organization that provides information and resources for development of the real estate industry.

Urban Land Institute
Research and education association concerned with responsible land use and creating sustainable communities.

Revised April 29, 2022. Complete data last reviewed April 05, 2022.
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