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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

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2010 Terminology Change

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License Requirements

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All applicants: fingerprint background check

All applicants: must pass state licensing exam

Firm License Requirements

Designated Broker: Responsible for firm's activities; managing broker license required

Trust account: Firm must maintain separate trust account for client funds

Branch offices: Each branch needs its own license and a managing broker in charge

Renewal and CE

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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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Sections in this topic

Dol Structure License Requirements Supervision Renewal Ce Wa Managing Broker Supervision