Washington Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

Real estate licenses in Washington need to be renewed every 2 years, usually on your birthday. You can start the renewal process up to 120 days in advance.

If you have an active Washington real estate broker license, you must take real estate continuing education courses before you can renew your license. These courses can be completed at any time during your current license cycle.

The courses and hours you need will depend on your license type and how long you have been in business:

• Brokers renewing their license for the first time need to take 90 hours of special post-license education. You only need to do this once. These hours are composed of a 30-Hour Advanced Practices course, a 30-Hour Real Estate Law course, 27 hours of elective credits, and one 3-hour Washington Core law update course. You can get everything you need with our Washington 90-Hour First Time License Renewal Continuing Education Package
• Brokers renewing for the second or subsequent time must complete 30 hours of continuing education. This must include a special 3-hour Washington Core course reviewing recent law updates. Get everything you need in our Washington Real Estate License Renewal Continuing Education Package.
• Managing Brokers need to complete the same CE requirements as brokers, but all credit hours must be earned after obtaining your managing broker license.

Get Fingerprinted

Fingerprints must be submitted every 6 years along with your license renewal. The Washington Department of Licensing will determine if fingerprint renewals are necessary and send you a card and instructions with your renewal notice.

Fingerprinting can be done at any fingerprint service provider or most law enforcement agencies.

Renew Your License through the Washington Department of Licensing

After completing each course you will receive a certificate of completion with a date and authentication number. You can renew your license online or through the mail.

Online renewals can be done through the Washington Department of Licensing website. The required information should be available on your renewal notice.

Renewing by mail may be necessary if fingerprints are required with your renewal. Include your renewal notice, continuing education certificates, fee, and fingerprint card if needed.

For full details on renewal requirements, see How to Renew Your License for Brokers and Managing Brokers at the Washington Department of Licensing.