Washington State Licensing Requirements
Basic Licensing Requirements
Registering for the Exam
The Examination Itself
If I Pass/Fail?
Basic Licensing Requirements
Question: What are the requirements for a real estate salesperson's license in Washington?
Answer: You must be at least 18 years old and have successfully completed an approved 60-hour course in Real Estate Fundamentals within five years prior to taking the licensing exam. A high school diploma or its equivalent is NOT a requirement for a salesperson's license.
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Question: I have a salesperson's license in another state. Do I still have to take the 60-hour Fundamentals course?
Answer: If you are actively licensed in the same capacity or a greater capacity in another jurisdiction, the Fundamentals course will not be required, and you will have to take only the Washington portion of the exam (not the National portion). Send a letter to the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) requesting a waiver based on your out-of-state license. At the same time, ask the regulatory agency in the other state to send the DOL a license history showing that you have been actively licensed in good standing in that state within the past six months. You won't be allowed to schedule an exam until your waiver has been approved by the DOL, which will take approximately two weeks.
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Question: I took some real estate courses at a college. Will any of these courses count towards the 60-hour prelicense education requirement?
Answer: The Director of the Department of Licensing may waive the 60-hour requirement if it is determined that an applicant has completed the equivalent educational course work at any institution of higher learning or degree-granting institution. Submit documentation of the equivalent education to the DOL and allow two weeks for approval.
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Question: I took an equivalent course in another state but never obtained my license. Do I still have to take the Fundamentals course?
Answer: The DOL may waive the 60-hour Fundamentals requirement if you can document that you have successfully completed an equivalent course (or courses) in another jurisdiction. Submit your documentation to the DOL and obtain approval before attempting to schedule your examination.
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Question: Where do I send my documentation?
Answer:
Real Estate Licensing
PO Box 9015
Olympia, WA 98507-9015
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Registering for the Exam
Question: How do I register for my examination?
Answer: Most applicants register by phone. You can make an exam reservation by calling the testing service—Pearson VUE—toll-free at (800) 274-5985. The reservation must be made at least three business days in advance of your test date.
| Call on: |
To test on or after: |
| Monday |
Thursday |
| Tuesday |
Friday |
| Wednesday |
Saturday |
| Thursday/Friday |
Tuesday |
| Saturday/Sunday |
Wednesday |
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Question: When can I call to register for an examination?
Answer: Pearson VUE Customer Care is open for reservations seven days a week, on the schedule shown below (Pacific time).
| Monday - Friday |
5:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Saturday |
5:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Sunday |
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Call toll-free at (800) 274-5985.
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Question: How quickly can I get an exam date?
Answer: Reservations are made according to the test site's capacity and seating availability. Pearson VUE testing centers handle license applicants from a number of different fields and sometimes a testing center becomes congested. Two-week delays are not uncommon.
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Question: What will they ask me when I call for an examination appointment?
Answer: They will ask for all of the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Social security number
- Daytime phone number
- Date of birth
- Type of examination (salesperson's or broker's)
- Your preferred test date and test site
- Name of the school you attended for your 60 hours
- Name of the course (Real Estate Fundamentals)
- Course completion date
- School stamp number
- Your failing score report (if retaking the exam)
You'll find the school and course information (including course title, completion date, and school stamp number) in your Candidate Examination Document, which is the certification that you'll receive from your school when you've successfully completed the Fundamentals course.
When scheduling you for the exam, the Pearson VUE representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down, because you'll need it to be admitted to the test center on exam day. It's also a good idea to write down the name of the Pearson VUE representative who scheduled your exam.
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Question: Where are the tests given?
Answer: There are seven test sites in Washington. Specific directions to all locations will be given when you call to make an exam reservation. Their locations are:
| Code |
Location |
| 4813 |
Wenatchee Valley College
Sexton Hall, Computer Lab |
| 4814 |
Lacey Pearson VUE Center
719 Sleater-Kinney Rd.
Suite 124
Lacey 98503 |
| 4815 |
Kennewick Pearson VUE Center
1410-B N. Pittsburg Street
Suite B
Kennewick 99336 |
| 4816 |
Seattle/Tukwila Pearson VUE Center
12720 Gateway Drive
Suite 208
Tukwila 98168 |
| 4817 |
Spokane Pearson VUE Center
North 505 Argonne Road
Suite 4
Spokane 99212 |
| 4818 |
Vancouver Pearson VUE Center
First Place Plaza
12503 SE Mill Plain Rd
#130
Vancouver 98684 |
| 4819 |
Yakima Pearson VUE Center
128 South 2nd Avenue
Suite 104
Yakima 98902 |
| 4813 |
Wenatchee Valley College
Sexton Hall Computer Lab |
| 4820 |
Everett Pearson VUE Center
906 Everett Mall Way, Ste 403
Everett, WA 98208 |
You can check the availability of exam dates at each center by calling Pearson VUE at (800)274-5985 or by visiting Pearson VUE's website at www.pearsonvue.com.
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Question: What is the examination fee?
Answer: The exam fee is $138.25, regardless of whether you're taking the entire examination or just the Washington portion. You must pay the exam fee when you register to take the exam, by credit card, debit card, voucher, or electronic check.
DON'T MISS YOUR EXAM DATE. If you don't appear at the scheduled time and date, and if you fail to cancel or change your exam date within the guidelines set by Pearson VUE, the exam fee will not be refunded.
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Question: What if I have to cancel or change my exam date?
Answer: You can call Pearson VUE Customer Care at (800) 274-5985 to cancel or change an exam date, without incurring any additional fees, if you do it within the time limits shown below:
If your exam is
scheduled for: |
Call by
previous: |
| Monday |
Wednesday |
| Tuesday |
Thursday |
| Wednesday |
Saturday |
| Thursday |
Sunday |
| Friday |
Monday |
| Saturday |
Tuesday |
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Question: What if it's an emergency and I'm not able to cancel or change within the designated time frame?
Answer: You may be excused for missing your scheduled exam for any of the following reasons, provided you supply Pearson VUE with written verification and supporting documentation within 14 days of the missed examination date.
- Illness of either yourself or an immediate family member
- Death in the immediate family
- Disabling traffic accident
- Court appearance or jury duty
- Military duty
- Weather
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Question: Does Pearson VUE have any special testing arrangements for applicants with disabilities?
Answer: If you require special testing arrangements due to a disability, mail or fax a Special Accomodations Request form, found in the Candidate Handbook, to Pearson VUE Test Center Operations. The form will request the following information: your name, address, a description of the disability, and a description of the requested accomodations.
The request must also include supporting documentation from a physician or other qualified professional reflecting a diagnosis of your condition and an explanation of examination aids or modifications. Address your request to:
Pearson VUE Test Center Operations
3 Bala Plaza West, Suite 300
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Pearson VUE will provide auxiliary aids and services, provided such aids and services don't fundamentally alter the examination or results, or result in an undue burden. Your exam will be scheduled upon receipt of all required documentation. Additional questions concerning this matter may be addressed by calling toll-free at (800)274-3707.
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Question: I'm hearing-impaired. Can I still communicate with Pearson VUE by telephone?
Answer: Pearson VUE is equipped with TDD (Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf) to assist deaf and hearing-impaired candidates. TDD calling is available 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST), Monday through Friday toll-free at (800) 274-2617. This service is for individuals with compatible TDD machinery.
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Question: My religious beliefs prevent me from taking the exam on a Saturday, but that's the only test day available in my area. What do I do?
Answer: You may request a non-Saturday exam date. Your request must be put into writing on official stationery by your religious advisor and faxed or mailed to:
Pearson VUE Test Center Operations
3 Bala Plaza West, Suite 300
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
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Question: Are there any test center policies?
Answer: The following policies are observed at every Pearson VUE test site:
- If you arrive late, after your examination appointment, you will not be admitted to the exam and your exam fee will be forfeited.
- Calculators are permitted but they cannot have alphabet keys or printing capability. Solar calculators are discouraged because there may not be enough light in the room to power them.
- Cellular phones, beepers, or any other electronic devices are not permitted during testing, and there is no place for storage of your personal belongings.
- Dictionaries, books, or reference materials are not permitted in the testing room. Anyone found with these or any other aids such as watch alarms, listening devices, or recording or photographic devices while their test is in progress will not be allowed to complete the exam.
- You are not permitted to take personal belongings such as briefcases, large bags, study materials, extra books, or papers into the examination room.
- You are not permitted to eat, drink, or smoke during the examination.
- Under no circumstances will you be permitted to spend longer than four hours taking the test.
- You may leave the room during the exam with permission from the proctor, but you won't be allowed any extra time for the exam.
- Anyone discovered causing a disturbance of any kind or engaging in any kind of misconduct—giving or receiving help; using notes, books, or other aids; taking part in an act of impersonation; or removing examination materials or notes from the examination room—will be summarily dismissed from the examination and will be reported to the Department of Licensing.
- No visitors, guests, pets, or children are allowed at the test site.
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The Examination Itself
Question: What should I bring to the exam site?
Answer: You should bring all of the following:
- Confirmation number
- Candidate Examination Document
- Two pieces of signature-bearing I.D., one with a photo
- Ordinary calculator
Your confirmation number was given to you by the Pearson VUE representative at the time you scheduled your exam. Your Candidate Examination Document (CED) was given to you by your school when you completed the Fundamentals course. The CED MUST have the school's official stamp on its face.
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Question: What kind of examination will I be taking?
Answer: You will take an electronic test that consists of 110 multiple-choice questions. The test is divided into two sections: 80 of the questions will make up the General (National) portion of the exam; the remaining 30 questions pertain only to Washington. You must score a minimum of 70% on each section.
In addition, the General section and the Washington section of the exam will each include five "pretest" questions. This brings the total number of questions you will answer to 120. However, the pretest questions are included only for analysis by the testing service and do not affect your score. But you won't know which questions are in the pretest group, so you must answer every question to the best of your ability.
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Question: How are the questions structured?
Answer: Each question on the examination is in a four-option, multiple-choice format with only one correct answer. Test scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly, so it is better to answer every question, even if you are guessing.
None of the questions have "All of the above" or "None of the above" as answer options. Whenever a question contains words such as NOT, EXCEPT, LEAST, MOST, etc., they are printed in boldface type to help you avoid misreading the question.
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Question: What are the subjects tested?
Answer: The following is a brief summary of the topics routinely tested:
General (National) Section: 80 questions
- Real property characteristics, definitions, ownership, restrictions, and transfer (20%; 16 questions)
- Definitions, descriptions, and ways to hold title
- Elements of real and personal property
- Property description and legal description
- Estates in real property
- Forms, rights, interests, and obligations of ownership
- Land use controls and restrictions
- Public (e.g., zoning, taxation, police power)
- Private (e.g., liens, encumbrances, recording and priorities, subdivision/association rules)
- Transfer/alienation of title to real property
- Voluntary and involuntary
- Deeds, warranties, and defects in title
- Assessing and explaining property valuation and the appraisal process (15%; 12 questions)
- Principles, types, and estimates of property value
- Influence on property values
- Approaches to property valuation and investment analysis
- Contracts, agency relationships with buyers and sellers, and federal requirements (25%; 20 questions)
- Contract elements, types (e.g., valid, enforceable), and terminology
- Agency employment contracts, listing and buyer agency agreements, and required elements
- Purchase/sales contracts and contingencies
- General agency relationships and fiduciary responsibilities
- Property conditions and disclosures (e.g., property, environmental)
- Procedures and laws governing real estate activities (e.g., Federal Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, antitrust, marketing controls)
- Financing the transaction and settlement (25%; 20 questions)
- Financing components
- Financing instruments (e.g., notes, mortgages, contract for deed, deed of trust)
- Sources (e.g., primary and secondary mortgage markets, seller financing)
- Types of loans
- Financing concepts and terminology
- Lender requirements and obligations
- Settlement procedures
- Settlement documents (e.g., title review, RESPA)
- Financing costs, property taxation, proration calculations, and other closing costs
- Leases, rents and property management (15%; 12 questions)
- Types and elements of leasehold estates, leases, lease clauses, and rental agreements
- Lessor and lessee rights, responsibilities, and recourse
- Management contracts and obligations of parties
Washington Supplement:
30 questions (salespersons), 40 questions (brokers)
Both the salesperson's exam and the broker's exam contain questions testing Washington real estate statutes and rules applicable to licensees. In addition, the broker's exam contains questions on real estate closing statements.
The exams also have ten pretest questions: five in the General section and five in the Washington section. These pretest questions are distributed randomly throughout the test and they are not identified as pretest questions, so you will have to answer every question. The pretest questions do not affect your score, however.
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Question: How is the exam administered?
Answer: Your examination will be administered on a computer, which eliminates the use of paper and pencil answer sheets. The system records your responses and automatically times the examination.
You are allowed to change your answers, skip questions, and mark questions for later review. Knowledge of computers and typing are absolutely NOT required. You can take a brief tutorial before beginning your exam, but the system is so uncomplicated that you will understand it fully within a few minutes.
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Question: How long will it take to get my exam results?
Answer: Your examination is scored immediately after you complete it. You leave the test center with your official score in hand.
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Question: How much time do I have to complete the exam?
Answer: You have four hours, after you have completed your tutorial. The timer doesn't begin until you have answered your first question. Typically an applicant will complete the exam somewhere between two and three hours.
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If I Pass/Fail?
Question: When I pass the exam, what's next?
Answer: When you pass the examination, your examination report will include information on how to apply for a license. The passing score report you receive from Pearson VUE has two parts. One is the notification of your results. The other is the final application for a license. You must complete the application and return it along with the proper fees to the Department of Licensing (DOL).
The part of the score report you are instructed to retain is an interim license valid for a period of up to forty-five (45) days after the postmark date or date of hand delivery of the application and fees to the DOL.
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Question: What if I'm not ready to activate my license right away?
Answer: You can pay the fee and activate your license under a real estate broker, or you can pay the fee and place your license on an inactive status without associating with a broker. As long as you pay the license renewal fee (every two years) your license can remain inactive indefinitely.
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Question: How long are my exam results valid?
Answer: You have one year from your exam date to do something with your license—to pay the fee and activate or deactivate your license. If you don't do one or the other within this time period you will have to retake the exam to be eligible for a license.
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Question: What if I fail the exam?
Answer: The exam is divided into two parts: the General section and the State Law section. You must pass both sections with minimum scores of 70% to be eligible for a license. If you pass one part, but not the other, you will be required to retake only the failed segment, provided you retake and pass that segment within six (6) months of initial failure. After that you will have to take the entire exam to be eligible for a license.
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Question: Is there a limit to the number of times a person can take the examination?
Answer: For all intents and purposes the answer is no. An individual can continue retaking the exam until a passing score is received.
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Question: If I fail, how soon can I retake the examination?
Answer: You must wait twenty-four (24) hours before rescheduling an examination and the earliest possible exam date would be three business days after that, assuming that your selected exam site tests on a daily basis. Refer to the "Exam Locations" section above to determine which location could offer the earliest possible exam retake date, if that is important to you.
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