Washington Real Estate License Renewal Requirements

Who Needs to Renew Their Washington Real Estate License?

All Washington real estate brokers and managing brokers must renew their licenses every two years from license issuance date.

What Are the Washington Real Estate Continuing Education (CE) Requirements?

For all second and subsequent renewals for brokers, and for every renewal for managing brokers, licensees must complete 30 hours of CE. This includes the 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate course, 3 hours of Fair Housing, and the remaining hours in elective or any approved course topic.

If you have not taken the initial 6-hour WA RE Fair Housing course, you must take it first. Once you have taken the initial 6-hour course, you must complete the 3-hour WA Real Estate Fair Housing course each time you renew. The 6-hour WA Fair Housing course does not satisfy the 3-hour Fair Housing course requirement.

Inactive licensees must also renew, but continuing education is not required until reactivation.

Empire Learning offers complete 30-hour renewal packages for Washington licensees.

When Is Washington Real Estate Continuing Education Due?

Washington continuing education must be completed by the license expiration date, which falls every two years on the license anniversary date.

How Can I Check My Washington Real Estate License Renewal Deadline?

You can confirm your renewal deadline by logging in to your Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) online account or checking the WA License Lookup page.

How Can I Complete My Washington Real Estate Continuing Education?

Continuing education may be completed online or in person through Washington DOL-approved providers.

What if my license is expired?

View Washington CE Courses

Are there any specific requirements for Washington regarding continuing education?

Yes. Washington requires both the Current Issues course and a Fair Housing course for every renewal. Licensees may carry over up to 15 hours of unused CE completed within 48 months of their renewal date, except the 3-hour Current Issues course, which must be completed within the 24 months prior to renewal.

This is my first license renewal as a broker in Washington. How do I renew my license?

First-time broker renewals require 90 total CE hours. This includes 30 hours of Advanced Practices, 30 hours of Real Estate Law, 6 hours of Fair Housing, 3 hours of Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate, and 21 hours of other approved CE.

This is my first license renewal as a managing broker in Washington. How do I renew my license?

Managing brokers follow the standard renewal rules: 30 total CE hours including the 3-hour Current Issues course, 3 hours of Fair Housing, and the remaining hours in elective or any approved topic.

How do I know Empire Learning is an approved provider in Washington?

Empire Learning’s Washington approval can be verified through the Washington DOL Course and Provider Search Page.

How Does Washington Verify My CE Completion?

Providers are not required to report course completions to the Washington DOL. Licensees must retain completion certificates and provide them in case of audit.

What are the most recent rule changes to continuing education in Washington?

Washington recently implemented mandatory Fair Housing training. Licensees must complete a one-time 6-hour Fair Housing course, followed by a 3-hour Fair Housing course at each subsequent renewal.

Regulatory Agency

Washington State Department of Licensing – Real Estate Program
Phone: 360-664-6488
Email: realestate@dol.wa.gov

Renewal Information

Renew online through the Washington Department of Licensing portal with your login credentials. Renewal is open 120 days before your license expires. You must renew your fingerprint-based background check results every 6 years.