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WA RE Broker · Cheat Sheet
WA License Law
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Washington License Law — Quick Reference
Core Concepts
Regulatory Structure
| Role | Entity | ||
| License enforcement authority | Washington DOL (Dept. of Licensing) | ||
| Advisory body | Real Estate Commission (6 members: 5 licensed brokers, 1 public) | ||
| Statute | RCW 18.85 | ||
| Regulations | WAC 308-124 | ||
| Old (pre-2010) | New (post-2010) | ||
| Salesperson | Broker | ||
| Broker | Managing Broker | ||
| Branch manager | Managing Broker | ||
| Level | Pre-License Hours | Experience Req. | Key Requirement |
| Broker | 90 hours | None | Must affiliate with firm |
| Managing Broker | 90 additional hours | 3 of last 5 years as active broker | Supervises and manages |
| Requirement | Detail | ||
| License cycle | 2 years (anniversary of birth month) | ||
| CE hours required | 30 hours total | ||
| Mandatory courses | Core curriculum, Fair housing, Real estate law update | ||
| CE hours for lapse (<1 yr) | 30 hours + all mandatories | ||
| Lapsed > 1 year | Retake exam + full prelicense |
Supervision Requirements (WAC 308-124-175)
- Non-delegable duty of the designated broker
- Must have written policies and procedures for all licensed activities
- Branch managing broker is responsible for that branch's licensees
Common Exam Traps
- DOL = enforcement; Commission = advisory — Commission recommends policy, DOL has the actual power
- New terminology post-2010 — "broker" is entry-level; "managing broker" is supervising
- Managing broker ≠ firm — a managing broker is an individual license holder; a firm has its own separate license
- 3-of-5 rule for managing broker — must have been active as a licensed broker for 3 of the last 5 years
- Affiliation required: A Washington broker cannot practice independently; must affiliate with a licensed firm
- Inactive vs. lapsed: Inactive = voluntarily deactivated (no CE needed while inactive, but must complete CE before reactivating); Lapsed = failed to renew (must complete CE; if > 1 year, retake exam)
Aligned to the Washington DOL managing broker exam outline.
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