How to Get Your Real Estate License in Burlington, Washington

If you want to become a real estate professional in Burlington, Washington, the process begins with completing the state’s required education, passing the broker examinations, submitting fingerprints, and applying through the Washington State Department of Licensing. A convenient starting point is the Washington real estate pre-licensing course, which can help you complete the required coursework before moving on to the exam and application steps.

Washington licenses real estate brokers, rather than using “salesperson” as the entry-level license title. Once licensed, a broker may work with buyers and sellers under the supervision of a licensed managing broker.

Washington Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a Washington real estate broker license, you must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 90 hours of approved real estate education.
Pass both the state and national portions of the Washington broker examination.
Complete the required fingerprint-based background check.
Submit a license application and pay the required fees.
Work under a licensed managing broker when practicing real estate.

The Washington Department of Licensing requires the 90 hours of education to include:

A 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course.
A 30-hour Real Estate Practices course.

The courses must be approved by the Department of Licensing. Applicants should verify that their school and courses appear on the state’s approved education list before enrolling.

Step 1: Complete the 90-Hour Pre-Licensing Education

The first major step is completing the required 90 clock hours. The coursework introduces the legal, financial, and practical principles needed to work with real estate transactions in Washington.

Typical subject areas include:

Real estate law and regulations.
Agency relationships and fiduciary duties.
Contracts and transaction procedures.
Property ownership and land descriptions.
Financing and lending concepts.
Washington real estate practices.
Fair housing and consumer protection.
Real estate mathematics.
Brokerage operations and professional responsibilities.

Course providers set their own tuition prices, schedules, attendance policies, and testing procedures. The Department of Licensing confirms that students must pay their education provider for the required courses, but it does not establish one universal tuition price.

After you finish the courses, the real estate school must submit your course completion information to PSI, the state’s examination administrator, before you can schedule the broker exams.

Online Course Options for Burlington Students

Burlington applicants do not necessarily need to attend a traditional classroom program. Depending on the provider’s approval and delivery format, online education can allow students to study from home, review lessons on a flexible schedule, and complete coursework without regularly traveling to a campus.

One option is the Washington pre-licensing course from Leap. Before enrolling, confirm that the course includes the required 60-hour Fundamentals and 30-hour Practices components and that the provider’s current approval and completion procedures meet Washington requirements.

When comparing online programs, look at:

Whether the provider is approved for Washington real estate education.
Whether the program includes all 90 required hours.
The format of required quizzes, exams, and identity verification.
Student support and instructor availability.
Access period and course-completion deadlines.
Whether course completion is reported to PSI.
Refund, extension, and technology policies.

Online learning can be especially useful for Burlington residents balancing work, family, or other commitments. However, students should confirm that they can meet all deadlines and complete any required proctored assessments.

Step 2: Create an Exam Account and Schedule the Broker Exam

Washington requires applicants to pass both the national and state portions of the broker examination. After the education provider reports course completion, applicants register with PSI and schedule the examinations online or by telephone.

The exam process includes the following rules:

Both the national and state exams must be passed.
The two portions must be passed within six months of each other.
If the required exams are not passed within that period, both portions must be retaken.
Applicants pay an examination fee when registering.
If an applicant does not pass, the applicable examination fee is charged again for a retake.

The Washington Department of Licensing currently lists the broker examination fee as $210, including the retake fee shown on its fee schedule. Exam fees can change, so confirm the amount with the Department of Licensing and PSI before scheduling.

Preparing for the Exam

A strong study plan should cover both national real estate concepts and Washington-specific rules. Review your course materials, complete practice questions, and focus on areas such as:

Contracts and agency.
Property ownership and transfer.
Valuation and appraisal.
Financing.
Leasing and property management.
Real estate calculations.
Washington licensing law and regulations.
Broker responsibilities and prohibited conduct.

The national and state portions test different bodies of knowledge, so passing one portion does not replace the requirement to pass the other.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Washington requires a fingerprint-based background check for a new broker license. Applicants must pass the broker examination before submitting fingerprints for the licensing background check.

Applicants living in Burlington can schedule fingerprinting through the Department of Licensing’s electronic fingerprinting vendor, IdentoGO. The applicant pays the fingerprinting and background-check charges directly through that process.

A background check does not guarantee approval of a license. Applicants with criminal history, prior licensing discipline, or other potentially relevant issues should provide complete and accurate information and contact the Department of Licensing if they need clarification about disclosure requirements.

Fingerprint results generally remain on file for six years. A new fingerprint-based check is required when the results on record are six years old or older for renewal purposes.

Step 4: Apply for the Washington Broker License

After completing the education, passing the required exams, and submitting fingerprints, apply for the broker license through the Washington Department of Licensing.

The state indicates that:

The license application must be submitted within one year after passing the final exam.
Applicants must pay the license fees with the application.
Applicants may apply online through the state’s professional licensing system.
A paper application option is also available.

The current Department of Licensing fee schedule lists the original broker license fee as $233. This is separate from education tuition, exam fees, fingerprinting charges, and other possible costs.

The state’s application materials also identify the sequence of completing education, taking the exam, and submitting the license application.

Estimated Timeline

Washington does not provide one guaranteed statewide processing time for every applicant. Your timeline will depend on:

How quickly you complete the 90-hour education.
Your school’s course schedule and reporting speed.
Exam appointment availability.
Whether you pass both exam portions on the first attempt.
Fingerprinting appointment availability.
Department of Licensing processing time.
Whether the application requires additional review.

Some applicants may complete the process in a relatively short period, while others may need longer because of work schedules, retakes, or background-check issues. Do not assume a fixed completion date; verify current processing information with the education provider, PSI, and the Department of Licensing.

The state does impose deadlines: both exam portions must be passed within six months of one another, and the license application must be submitted within one year after passing the final exam.

License Costs in Washington

The total cost of becoming a broker includes more than the state application fee.

| Cost category | Current information |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | Set by the education provider; Washington requires students to pay for approved courses. |
| Broker examination | $210 according to the Department of Licensing fee schedule. |
| Original broker license | $233 according to the Department of Licensing fee schedule. |
| Fingerprinting and background check | Paid to the fingerprinting vendor; the amount may depend on the required service. |
| Study materials and exam preparation | Varies by provider and is not a universal state fee. |
| Transportation, technology, or printing | Varies by applicant and course format. |

Because fees can change, check the Department of Licensing’s current fee page before budgeting or submitting payment.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Managing Broker

A newly licensed Washington broker generally practices under the supervision of a licensed managing broker. This relationship is often described as working with a sponsoring or supervising brokerage.

A managing broker may provide:

Transaction supervision.
Office policies and compliance procedures.
Contract and disclosure guidance.
Access to brokerage forms and systems.
Training and mentorship.
Marketing and technology resources.
Opportunities to work with buyers, sellers, landlords, or investors.

Choosing a brokerage is a career decision, not merely an administrative step. Burlington applicants should compare firms serving Skagit County and nearby communities, including their training programs, commission structures, fees, transaction support, lead systems, office culture, and expectations for new brokers.

Before affiliating with a brokerage, ask:

Who reviews contracts and transaction documents?
Is a formal training program available?
What fees do brokers pay?
How are commissions and referrals handled?
Are leads provided, and under what terms?
What technology and marketing support is included?
How accessible are the managing broker and experienced agents?
Does the firm focus on residential, commercial, land, agricultural, or property-management work?

First License Renewal and Post-License Education

Washington’s first active broker renewal has a specific education requirement. Before the first active renewal, a broker must complete at least 90 hours of continuing education, including:

A 30-hour Advanced Practices course.
A 30-hour Real Estate Law course.
A 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate course.
At least 27 additional hours of approved continuing education.

The education must begin after the date the broker was first licensed.

This first-renewal education is sometimes described informally as “post-license education,” but it is part of Washington’s continuing-education requirements for the first active renewal. It is separate from the initial 90-hour pre-licensing education.

Ongoing Continuing Education

Washington broker licenses renew every two years. After the first active renewal, brokers must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education for each renewal period, including:

A 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate course.
At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education.
At least 15 hours completed within the 24 months before the renewal date.

The Department of Licensing also states that up to 15 hours of unused education completed within the prior 48 months may be usable under specified conditions.

Continuing education helps brokers stay current with changes to Washington law, contracts, agency duties, fair housing, technology, and transaction practices. Brokers should retain completion records in case they are selected for an audit.

Inactive licenses generally do not require continuing education for renewal, but an inactive broker cannot conduct licensed real estate activity until the license is properly activated and all applicable requirements are met.

Real Estate Career Opportunities in Burlington

Burlington is in Skagit County, within the broader northwestern Washington real estate market. A newly licensed broker may explore opportunities involving:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
New construction.
Condominiums and townhomes.
Land and rural property.
Agricultural or acreage transactions.
Relocation services.
Investment property.
Commercial real estate.
Property management, where separately permitted and properly structured.
Real estate referrals and transaction coordination.

Local specialization can help a new broker build a focused business. For example, a broker serving Burlington and surrounding communities might develop expertise in first-time buyers, rural properties, land-use considerations, new construction, or relocation between Skagit, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties.

A Washington broker license does not guarantee employment, clients, transactions, or income. Real estate compensation is commonly transaction-based, and earnings can vary substantially based on market conditions, brokerage arrangements, experience, business expenses, lead generation, and the number and size of completed transactions. Authoritative public sources do not establish a guaranteed Burlington salary or income figure for newly licensed brokers, so prospective students should treat earnings projections from schools or brokerages as estimates rather than promises.

How to Build a Strong Start After Licensing

After receiving the license and affiliating with a managing broker, focus on building practical competence and a reliable client-development system.

Useful early steps include:

Learn the brokerage’s transaction-management and compliance systems.
Attend contract, listing, buyer-consultation, and inspection training.
Shadow experienced brokers when permitted.
Build a database of personal, professional, and community contacts.
Create a realistic marketing budget.
Develop a consistent follow-up schedule.
Learn local market data and neighborhood characteristics.
Build relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors, escrow professionals, and attorneys.
Maintain accurate records for transactions, advertising, and continuing education.
Follow Washington advertising, agency, disclosure, and fair-housing requirements.

The best brokerage for a new broker may not be the one offering the highest advertised commission split. Training, supervision, compliance support, and access to experienced professionals can be equally important during the first year.

Washington Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist to track the process:

Confirm that you meet the age and education prerequisites.
Enroll in approved 90-hour Washington broker education.
Complete the 60-hour Fundamentals course.
Complete the 30-hour Practices course.
Confirm that your school reports completion to PSI.
Create a PSI account.
Schedule and pass the national examination.
Schedule and pass the Washington state examination.
Complete fingerprinting through the state’s approved process.
Submit the broker license application.
Pay the current application and licensing fees.
Apply within one year after passing the final exam.
Select a managing broker or sponsoring brokerage.
Complete the first-renewal 90-hour education requirement.
Renew every two years and complete ongoing continuing education.

Start Your Washington Real Estate Education

For Burlington residents ready to begin, an approved online program can make the education stage more manageable. Review the Leap Washington pre-licensing course, compare it with other approved providers, and confirm that the current course structure satisfies Washington’s 90-hour broker education requirement.

After completing education, use the Department of Licensing and PSI instructions to verify the exam, fingerprinting, application, and fee requirements that apply when you are ready to proceed.

Authoritative Sources