A real estate firm must be licensed and operate under a designated/managing broker.
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
Which agency licenses and regulates real estate brokers in Washington State?
Answer: A. The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) licenses and regulates real estate brokers and managing brokers in Washington.
Question 2 of 5
How many hours of pre-license education does Washington require for a broker license?
Answer: C. Washington requires 90 hours of pre-license education: a 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course plus a 30-hour Real Estate Practices course.
Question 3 of 5
What is the entry-level real estate license in Washington called?
Answer: B. Washington's entry-level license is a 'broker'; the supervising license is a 'managing broker.' Washington no longer uses 'salesperson.'
Question 4 of 5
A Washington broker must conduct brokerage activity under:
Answer: B. A Washington broker must be affiliated with a firm and work under its designated or managing broker; an entry-level broker cannot operate independently.
Question 5 of 5
Which agency regulates real estate licensing in Washington State?
Answer: B. Real estate licensing in Washington is administered by the Department of Licensing (DOL), which oversees broker and managing broker licenses.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
Must-know rules
- Regulator: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
- Pre-license education: 90 hours total = 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals + 30-hour Real Estate Practices.
- Entry-level license: BROKER (the starting credential in WA).
- Supervising/upgraded license: MANAGING BROKER (supervises brokers, can run a firm).
- A real estate firm must be licensed and operate under a designated/managing broker.
- License renewal cycle: every 2 years.
- You must hold an active license to perform real estate brokerage services for compensation.
- Continuing education is required to renew an active license.
Washington License Law & Regulator Quick Sheet: FAQs
Is Washington License Law & Regulator Quick Sheet on the real estate exam?
Yes. State License Law is a scored domain on the Washington real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the state license-law portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
Does Washington test this differently?
Washington applies its own license law on top of the national portion. This page covers the Washington rules specifically, which is what the state section of your exam tests.
