Becoming a real estate professional in Camas starts with meeting Washington’s statewide broker licensing requirements. A Washington-approved pre-licensing program—such as Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course—can help you complete the required education and prepare for the state and national licensing examinations.

Washington calls its entry-level real estate license a real estate broker license. Once licensed, a broker may perform real estate services under the supervision of a designated broker. Although you may work with clients in Camas, Vancouver, Washougal, and throughout Clark County, the license itself is issued under Washington state law rather than by the City of Camas.

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 Washington state and national broker examinations.
• Complete the required fingerprint-based background check.
• Submit a license application and pay the required fees.
• Work under a Washington-licensed designated broker after obtaining an active license.

The 90 hours of education must include:

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

Courses must be approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing. The Department maintains information about approved real estate education providers and courses, so confirm that any program you choose satisfies the current Washington requirements before enrolling.

Step 1: Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Your first major step is completing the required 90 clock hours. The coursework introduces the legal, financial, ethical, and practical principles needed to pass the exams and begin working with buyers, sellers, landlords, and other real estate participants.

Typical subject matter may include:

• Washington real estate law and regulations.
• Agency relationships and duties.
• Contracts and disclosures.
• Property ownership and land use.
• Real estate finance.
• Fair housing.
• Brokerage relationships.
• Property valuation.
• Closing procedures.
• Professional responsibilities.

The Washington Department of Licensing requires the education to include the specified 60-hour and 30-hour courses. You must apply for and complete the broker examinations within two years after completing your real estate education.

Online Course Options

Online education can be useful for Camas students who need flexibility around work, family, or other commitments. Options may include:

• Self-paced online courses.
• Instructor-led virtual classes.
• Livestream classes with scheduled attendance.
• Hybrid programs combining online and classroom instruction.

One option is Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course, which is designed for students pursuing Washington licensure. Before enrolling, verify that the provider and specific courses meet the Department of Licensing’s current approval requirements.

An online course does not eliminate the state’s examination, fingerprinting, application, or sponsoring-broker requirements. It simply provides a convenient way to complete the education portion of the process.

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

Washington broker candidates take both a national examination and a Washington state examination. The Department of Licensing directs candidates to PSI to register and schedule the exams.

You must pass both examinations within six months of each other. If you do not, Washington requires you to retake both portions.

The exams generally test two areas:

• National portion: Broad real estate principles and practices.
• State portion: Washington-specific laws, rules, procedures, and licensing requirements.

A strong preparation plan should combine course review, practice questions, vocabulary study, and focused preparation for Washington-specific topics. Your pre-licensing education is intended to provide the foundation, but additional exam preparation may improve your readiness.

The current Washington Department of Licensing fee schedule lists the broker examination fee as $210, including the listed retake fee. Confirm the amount with PSI and the Department before scheduling because fees may be updated.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Washington requires a fingerprint-based background check for the broker license. You must pass the examination before submitting your fingerprints.

After passing, schedule fingerprinting through the state’s designated electronic fingerprinting vendor. The fingerprinting and background-check process involves a separate fee, and the exact amount should be confirmed when scheduling.

A criminal history does not automatically establish that an applicant cannot become licensed. However, applicants should answer application questions truthfully and provide any documents the Department requests. Questions involving criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, or professional conduct may require additional review.

Fingerprint results must also be renewed periodically. Washington’s broker renewal information states that fingerprint-based background-check results must be renewed every six years.

Step 4: Apply for the Washington Broker License

After the Department has the necessary examination and background-check information, submit your broker license application and pay the applicable fees. Washington requires you to apply within one year after passing your final examination.

The Department provides online application options and also identifies a mailing process for applicants who submit a paper application.

The current Department fee schedule lists the original broker license fee as $233, including the mandatory $20 research fee. This amount is separate from:

• Pre-licensing education tuition.
• Examination fees.
• Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
• Study materials.
• Any brokerage-related business or technology expenses.

Because fees can change, review the Department’s current fee page before submitting payment.

Step 5: Choose a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed Washington broker generally needs to work under a designated broker at a real estate firm. In everyday industry language, this is often described as finding a sponsoring broker.

The sponsoring brokerage provides the legal and operational framework for practicing real estate. Depending on the firm, it may also provide:

• Transaction supervision.
• Contracts and compliance procedures.
• Training and mentoring.
• Listing and transaction systems.
• Office or coworking resources.
• Lead-generation tools.
• Marketing support.
• Access to local and regional professional networks.

When comparing brokerages in Camas or the broader Clark County market, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees.
• Training for newly licensed brokers.
• Mentoring and transaction review.
• Lead distribution.
• Marketing restrictions and support.
• Required office or floor time.
• Independent-contractor expectations.
• Availability of residential, commercial, property-management, or investment opportunities.

The best brokerage is not necessarily the one advertising the highest commission split. New brokers should evaluate the total support, supervision, training, and cost structure.

How Long Does It Take to Get a License?

Washington does not establish one universal completion time for every applicant. The timeline depends on:

• How quickly you complete the 90-hour education.
• Whether you pass both exam portions on your first attempt.
• Examination appointment availability.
• Fingerprint appointment availability.
• Background-check processing.
• Department application processing.
• How quickly you select a sponsoring brokerage.

The state does impose important deadlines:

• Complete the broker exams within two years after completing the required education.
• Pass the state and national exams within six months of each other.
• Apply for the license within one year after passing the final exam.

A practical way to reduce delays is to plan the education, examination registration, fingerprint appointment, application, and brokerage search in advance. Do not schedule fingerprinting before passing the exam, because Washington requires the test to be passed first.

First Renewal and Post-License Education

Washington’s first renewal requirements are more extensive than the requirements for later renewals. For the first renewal of an active broker license, you 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.

These courses are separate from the initial 90 hours used to qualify for the license. Planning this education early can help prevent a last-minute renewal problem.

The first-renewal requirements are sometimes described as post-license education because they provide additional training after initial licensure. They are not optional for an active licensee seeking the first renewal.

Ongoing Continuing Education

After the first renewal, an active Washington broker must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education for each renewal period. The education must include:

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

Washington broker licenses renew every two years. Licensees should maintain records of completed education and monitor their renewal dates. The Department generally does not require proof to be uploaded unless the licensee is selected for an audit, but course records should still be retained.

An inactive license generally does not require continuing education for renewal, but an inactive licensee cannot conduct real estate business until properly reactivated.

Estimated Costs

The total cost of becoming a Camas real estate broker varies because schools set their own tuition and applicants may purchase different study materials. The verified state-related costs include:

| Expense | Current published amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Broker examination | $210 |
| Original broker license | $233, including the mandatory $20 research fee |
| Fingerprinting and background check | Separate fee; amount should be confirmed with the fingerprinting vendor |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by approved school and course package |
| Exam preparation materials | Varies by provider |
| Brokerage expenses after licensure | Varies by firm |

These figures do not represent a guaranteed total. Confirm all charges before registering for a course, booking the exam, or submitting the application.

Working as a Real Estate Broker in Camas

Camas is part of Clark County and the greater southwest Washington real estate market. A Camas-based broker may build a business serving:

• Home buyers and sellers.
• Relocation clients.
• New-construction buyers.
• Residential investors.
• Land buyers.
• Luxury-home clients.
• Small-business and commercial clients.
• Property owners seeking market guidance.
• Clients moving between Washington and Oregon.

Local success depends on factors such as market conditions, inventory, interest rates, lead generation, negotiation ability, professional network, customer service, and brokerage support. Washington licensure permits practice under state law, but local knowledge can be a significant competitive advantage.

A Camas-focused business plan may include learning:

• Camas neighborhoods and subdivisions.
• Clark County property-tax and permitting resources.
• Local zoning and land-use considerations.
• School-district boundaries and public records.
• Commuter patterns and transportation connections.
• New-construction activity.
• Nearby markets such as Vancouver and Washougal.
• Washington–Oregon transaction and relocation considerations.

Real estate brokers should also identify when a question requires advice from a qualified attorney, lender, tax professional, inspector, surveyor, or other specialist.

Potential Earnings

Real estate income is generally commission-based and can vary substantially. Earnings depend on the number and type of transactions, commission agreements, brokerage splits, business expenses, market conditions, and the time required to build a client pipeline.

No authoritative source reviewed for this article verifies a Camas-specific average income for newly licensed brokers. Prospective students should therefore treat advertised earnings claims cautiously and create a personal budget that accounts for variable income, licensing costs, marketing, transportation, insurance, technology, association dues, and brokerage fees.

Many new brokers should expect a period of business development before transactions become consistent. Building referral relationships, maintaining a follow-up system, learning local inventory, and developing a professional reputation can be as important as passing the exam.

Career Opportunities After Licensing

A Washington broker license can support several career directions, although some roles may require additional education, experience, or licensing:

• Residential sales.
• Buyer representation.
• Listing representation.
• New-home sales.
• Relocation services.
• Land and acreage transactions.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Commercial real estate.
• Property management, where applicable requirements are satisfied.
• Leasing and tenant representation.
• Real estate team operations.
• Transaction coordination and brokerage support.
• Advancement toward a managing broker license.

A managing broker license is a separate Washington credential. One route requires at least three years of full-time experience as an active real estate broker within the previous five years, along with 90 hours of approved managing-broker education covering brokerage management, business management, and advanced real estate law.

Camas Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

• Confirm that you meet the age and education prerequisites.
• Enroll in an approved 90-hour Washington broker education program.
• Complete the 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course.
• Complete the 30-hour Real Estate Practices course.
• Register with PSI.
• Schedule and pass the national broker examination.
• Schedule and pass the Washington state broker examination.
• Schedule fingerprinting after passing the exam.
• Complete the fingerprint-based background check.
• Submit the broker license application.
• Pay the examination, fingerprinting, and licensing fees.
• Select a Washington brokerage and designated broker.
• Complete the first-renewal 90-hour continuing-education requirement.
• Renew the active license every two years.
• Complete at least 30 hours of continuing education for later active renewals.
• Renew fingerprint-based background-check results every six years.

For a convenient education option, review Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course, then compare the course format, support, exam preparation, tuition, and approval status with other Washington providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Camas have its own real estate license?

No separate Camas real estate license is identified in the Washington broker licensing process. The licensing requirements are established at the Washington state level by the Department of Licensing.

Can I complete the required education online?

Online and other flexible course formats may be available through approved education providers. Confirm that the specific provider and courses satisfy Washington’s current requirements before enrolling.

How many hours of education are required?

Washington requires 90 hours of approved education: 60 hours of Real Estate Fundamentals and 30 hours of Real Estate Practices.

Do I need a background check?

Yes. Washington requires a fingerprint-based background check, and you must pass the exam before submitting your fingerprints.

How much is the Washington broker license?

The current published original broker license fee is $233, including the mandatory $20 research fee. Education, examination, and fingerprinting costs are separate.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

To practice, a newly licensed broker generally works under the supervision of a designated broker at a real estate firm. Contact prospective Camas-area brokerages to confirm their onboarding and affiliation procedures.

How often must I renew my license?

Washington broker licenses renew every two years.

What education is required after I become licensed?

The first active renewal requires at least 90 hours of continuing education with specified courses. Later active renewals require at least 30 hours, including the 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course.

Authoritative Sources

• Washington State Department of Licensing — Get Your License: Real Estate Brokers
• Washington State Department of Licensing — Real Estate Fees
• Washington State Department of Licensing — Renew or Reinstate Your License: Real Estate Brokers
• Washington State Department of Licensing — Get Your License: Managing Brokers
• Washington Administrative Code — Chapter 308-124A
• Washington State Department of Licensing — Approved Real Estate Education Information