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Every two years for the rest of your real estate career, you will need to do two things to renew your real estate license:
1. Continuing education aka "clock hours" aka CE
2. Pay a fee to the DOL
The amount of continued education you need depends upon how long you've been licensed, and the cost depends upon your license type.
Below are the details to renew your license.
Required Continuing Education
First Active Renewal
90 hours of continuing education, including:
30-hour Advanced Practices Course
30-hour Real Estate Law Course
3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
At least 27 hours other approved continuing education
Note: You cannot begin accruing this education until after your first date of licensure
All Subsequent Active Renewals
30 hours of continuing education, including:
3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
At least 27 hours other approved continuing education
At least 15 hours must be completed within 24 months of your renewal date
You may also use up to 15 hours of unused continuing education completed within 48 months of your renewal date
Managing Broker Renewal
30 hours of continuing education, including:
3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
At least 27 hours other approved continuing education
At least 15 hours must be completed within 24 months of your renewal date
You may also use up to 15 hours of unused continuing education completed within 48 months of your renewal date
The hours must be started after the date of first licensure as a managing broker
Suggested Sources for Continuing Education
Renewing your license doesn't have to be a pain! Plan ahead and pace your classes to avoid cramming at 11:50pm, racing against the clock to keep your license active.
The schools and other providers below offer classes to fulfill your education requirements We don't endorse or recommend any of them specifically, choose one that works best for you and your schedule.
Kaplan (Does Not Offer First Renewal)
McKissock (Does Not Offer First Renewal)
Washington Association of Realtors
Other Ideas Include:
Title/ Escrow Classes
Your Local Association of Realtors
Pro Tip: Create a folder on your Drive/ Dropbox/ whatever digital storage means you use, and save your clock hour certificates from each renewal, organized by year. The DOL can audit your license renewals, and can request evidence that you completed the required clock hours. Having these certificates organized will save you stress later.
*NEW* Fair Housing Requirement
On June 1, 2022 a new licensing requirement was passed (Substitute Senate Bill 5378) adding mandatory Fair Housing education to the normal, 90-hour real estate pre-licensing curriculum. This education is a total of 6-hours; 3-hours taken during the normal 90-hour pre-licensing curriculum, and a second 3-hour course will be taken as part of the normal, 90-hour first renewal curriculum.
All active Brokers and Managing Brokers renewing their licenses in 2022 must take the 6-hour Fair Housing course by June 1, 2023. Every renewal afterward will require a 3-hour course.
Please note, that this is a specific course and it is not offered by all real estate schools- be sure to confirm you are registering for the appropriate class.
Tip: On the homepage under LaunchPad, click your Realtor®️ Association to be directed to their website, then find their Education tab. Here you will find a class typically labeled "Washington Real Estate Fair Housing- New DOL Required Course". You can also find the course also offered through the Washington Realtors®️ Association.
Real Estate Fair Housing New Requirement Q&A
How to Renew Your License on the DOL Website
After you have completed your continuing education, you will need to renew your license through the DOL's website. Below is a step-by-step video instruction or can follow the DOL instructions.
NOTE: Paying your fee without completing your required education can result in fines and/or disciplinary action from the State of Washington.
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