Washington Real Estate Licensing and Education Requirements
Continuing education, renewals, and reinstatement guidance can be found in the information below. For questions about your license or status, fingerprints or background check, contact the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) directly, as they are the official source for all licensing information.
Washington State Department of Licensing Support
(360) 664-6500
realestate@dol.wa.gov
dol.wa.gov
License Renewal and Reinstatement Instructions
DOL Instructions:
www.dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/renew-or-reinstate-your-license-real-estate-brokers
Fingerprint and Background Checks Instructions:
www.dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/fingerprinting-and-background-checks
Department of Licensing Real Estate Division Support:
First Time License Renewal: 90 Clock Hours
You must complete 90 clock hours of certified continuing education within two years for your first real estate license renewal.
Required Courses:
- Advanced Real Estate Practices – This will most likely be taken online.
|
30 clock hours |
- Real Estate Law – This will most likely be taken online.
|
30 clock hours |
- Code of Ethics – Available through the SR*
|
3 clock hours |
- Purchase and Sale Agreement – Available through the SR
|
7.5 clock hours |
- Current Issues in WA Residential Real Estate (CORE) – Available through the SR or online
|
3 clock hours |
- Elective Certified Courses – Totaling 13.5 hours to complete the 90 total hours.
|
13.5 clock hours |
NAR Requires:
-
- Code of Ethics class must be taken every three years
- Fair Housing class must be taken every three years.
- We’re currently in the cycle 1/1/2025-12/31/2027
- NAR’s online Code of Ethics* course is 2.5 hours and their Fair Housing course is 2 hours. While these courses will fulfill NAR requirements, they will not count towards license renewals as the state of Washington requires 3 CE hour courses. SR does teach 3 CE hour courses that fulfills the requirement and can be used for liense renewals.
SR Requires:
-
- Purchase & Sale class must be taken every four years
- This class is considered an elective, but goes towards your 30 or 90 clock hours
- We’re currently in the cycle 1/1/2025-12/31/2028
Subsequent Broker License Renewal: 30 Clock Hours
- Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate class – 3 clock hours
- Washington Real Estate Fair Housing – 3 clock hours
- Elective Certified Courses – Totalling 24 hours to complete the 30 total hours.
- Fingerprints and background checks are required every six years.
NAR Requires:
-
- Code of Ethics class must be taken every three years
- Fair Housing class must be taken every three years.
- We’re currently in the cycle 1/1/2025-12/31/2027
- NAR’s online Code of Ethics* course is 2.5 hours and their Fair Housing course is 2 hours. While these courses will fulfill NAR requirements, they will not count towards license renewals as the state of Washington requires 3 CE hour courses. SR does teach 3 CE hour courses that fulfills the requirement and can be used for liense renewals.
SR Requires:
-
- Purchase & Sale class must be taken every four years
- This class is considered an elective, but goes towards your 30 or 90 clock hours
- We’re currently in the cycle 1/1/2025-12/31/2028
License Renewal and Reinstatement Instructions:
Department of Licensing Real Estate Division Instructions:
www.dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-brokers/renew-or-reinstate-your-license-real-estate-brokers
Fingerprint and Background Checks Instructions:
www.dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/fingerprinting-and-background-checks
Department of Licensing Real Estate Division Support: