How to Get Your Real Estate License in Lakewood, Washington

Becoming a real estate broker in Lakewood starts with meeting Washington’s statewide licensing requirements. A practical first step is enrolling in an approved pre-licensing program such as Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course, which can help you complete the required education before taking the state and national broker examinations.

Washington calls its entry-level real estate license a broker license. Whether you plan to work with buyers, sellers, landlords, or investors in Lakewood, you must satisfy requirements established by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), not by the City of Lakewood.

Washington Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 90 hours of approved real estate education.
Complete the required broker examinations.
Complete a fingerprint-based background check.
Apply for the license and pay the required fees.
Work with a licensed Washington real estate firm under the supervision of a designated broker.

The 90-hour education requirement consists of:

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

Courses must be approved for Washington licensing purposes. Before enrolling, confirm that the school and specific courses appear on the DOL’s approved education listings.

Step 1: Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Your first major step is completing the 60-hour Fundamentals course and 30-hour Practices course. These classes introduce subjects such as real estate law, contracts, agency relationships, financing, property ownership, licensing rules, and professional responsibilities.

The education must be completed before you proceed through the examination process. Washington requires you to apply for and complete the broker examinations within two years after completing the education courses.

Choose a program that provides:

Washington-approved course content.
A clear method for tracking clock hours.
Examination preparation materials.
Access to instructors or student support.
Flexible scheduling for work and family obligations.
Written confirmation of completion for licensing records.

A quality pre-licensing course can also help you identify topics that need additional study before you schedule the PSI examination.

Online Real Estate Course Options

Online education can be useful for Lakewood students who need to study around a full-time job, family responsibilities, or other commitments. Course delivery formats vary, so review the provider’s current terms carefully before registering.

One option is Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course. Prospective students should confirm directly with the provider that the selected course meets the current Washington DOL approval and clock-hour requirements.

Other options may include:

Fully online, self-paced coursework.
Instructor-supported online classes.
Livestream or virtual classroom instruction.
In-person classes in the South Puget Sound area.
Hybrid programs combining online and live instruction.

The DOL’s approved-course information should be the final reference for determining whether a program satisfies Washington’s licensing education rules.

Step 2: Create an Examination Account and Schedule the Exams

After completing the required education, register with PSI, Washington’s examination provider. The DOL states that applicants must pass both the national and state portions of the broker examination.

You can schedule the examinations online or by telephone through PSI. The current DOL fee schedule lists the broker examination fee as $210, with the same listed fee for an examination retake.

Washington imposes important examination deadlines:

You must pass the state and national examinations within six months of each other.
If you do not pass both portions within that period, you must retake both examinations.
You must apply for your license within one year after passing your final examination.

Because of these deadlines, schedule your exams only after building a realistic study plan. Passing one portion does not eliminate the need to complete the other within the required time.

What the Washington Broker Exam Covers

The examination includes national real estate concepts and Washington-specific licensing knowledge. Preparation commonly involves reviewing:

Property ownership and land-use concepts.
Contracts and agency.
Financing and settlement.
Valuation and market analysis.
Property management.
Real estate practice.
Washington license law and regulations.
Consumer protection and professional conduct.

The official examination candidate information and PSI scheduling materials should be used for the current exam outline, identification rules, testing procedures, and rescheduling policies.

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 the required exam portions:

Schedule an appointment with the DOL’s electronic fingerprinting vendor.
Bring the identification and documentation required by the vendor.
Pay the fingerprinting and background-check charges.
Wait for the results to be associated with your licensing record.

The DOL does not list the fingerprinting charge as a single fixed broker-license fee on the general fee table; the vendor and background-check charges should therefore be confirmed when scheduling.

If your background history includes criminal, regulatory, or licensing matters, be prepared to provide the documents requested by the DOL. Answer application questions accurately and disclose information when required.

Step 4: Submit the License Application

Once your examination and fingerprint results are available, submit the broker-license application to the Washington Department of Licensing. The application requires the applicable licensing fee and may require supporting documents related to background questions.

The current DOL fee schedule lists:

Broker examination: $210.
Broker original license: $233.
Broker renewal: $233.
Late broker renewal: $273.
Printed license by mail: $5, if requested.

The DOL states that original license and renewal fees include a mandatory $20 research fee.

Your total startup cost will be higher than the state licensing fees because you may also pay for:

Pre-licensing education.
Textbooks or exam-preparation materials.
Fingerprinting and background checks.
Travel or technology expenses.
Brokerage onboarding or association expenses after licensing.

Course tuition and fingerprinting costs can vary, so obtain current prices directly from the provider and fingerprinting vendor rather than relying on an estimated total.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

Washington does not establish one universal number of days for completing the entire process. The timeline depends on how quickly you complete education, pass both exam portions, obtain fingerprints, and submit a complete application.

The state’s key timing rules are:

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

A student studying full time may finish more quickly than someone completing courses while working. Examination availability, preparation time, fingerprint processing, and application review can also affect the final timeline.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Brokerage

Passing the exam does not mean you should immediately operate independently. A new Washington broker generally begins work with a real estate firm under the supervision of a designated broker.

When evaluating Lakewood-area brokerages, ask about:

Training for newly licensed brokers.
Mentorship and transaction supervision.
Commission structure and fees.
Desk, technology, and administrative charges.
Lead distribution.
Contract and compliance support.
Coverage of Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom, and nearby communities.
Expectations for prospecting, open houses, and client follow-up.
Whether the firm supports residential, commercial, property-management, or investment work.

A sponsoring firm can influence your early experience as much as the education provider you choose. Interview multiple firms and request a written explanation of costs and services before affiliating.

Lakewood Real Estate Career Context

The license rules are statewide, but your day-to-day business will be local. Lakewood is part of the South Puget Sound region, and a Lakewood-focused broker may work with clients moving within the city or between neighboring communities.

Potential areas of specialization include:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
First-time-homebuyer assistance.
Military relocation.
New construction.
Investment property.
Multifamily property.
Property management, if separately authorized and structured appropriately.
Commercial real estate.
Land and development opportunities.
Relocation throughout Pierce County and the broader Puget Sound area.

Local success depends on factors such as market conditions, inventory, interest rates, competition, business development, brokerage support, and the individual’s ability to build a client base. A Washington license permits brokerage activity subject to state law, but it does not guarantee clients, transactions, or income.

Potential Earnings

Real estate income is typically transaction-based rather than salaried. Earnings can vary substantially based on:

Number and value of completed transactions.
Commission agreements.
Brokerage splits and fees.
Business expenses.
Experience and specialization.
Local market conditions.
Whether the broker works full time or part time.
Ability to generate repeat and referral business.

A reliable Lakewood-specific earnings figure cannot be stated without a current, authoritative source that defines the population, time period, and compensation method. Prospective students should treat income claims from schools, brokerages, and recruiting materials as marketing unless the methodology is clearly disclosed.

Before choosing a brokerage, ask for a realistic breakdown of expected expenses, commission splits, transaction fees, lead costs, and the financial runway typically needed while building a business.

Post-License Education and Continuing Education

Washington’s DOL licensing information identifies the initial 90-hour education requirement for a broker license and continuing education requirements for renewal.

The DOL states that active licensees must renew their licenses every two years and complete 30 hours of continuing education for renewal. That requirement includes:

Three hours of the current Washington residential real estate core course.
At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education.
At least 15 hours completed within the 24 months before the renewal date.

The Washington Administrative Code also requires at least three clock hours of approved core curriculum continuing education within the applicable renewal period.

Washington’s renewal rules include additional timing provisions, including limited use of eligible education completed before the current renewal period. Because requirements can change, confirm the exact course mix and renewal deadline with the DOL before registering for continuing education.

There may not be a separate universal “post-license course” requirement immediately after receiving an entry-level broker license. However, newly licensed brokers still need to complete continuing education for renewal and comply with brokerage supervision, transaction, and professional-conduct requirements. Ask the DOL and your designated broker whether any current rule, brokerage policy, or transaction activity creates additional education obligations.

How to Prepare for a Successful Start

Use the following checklist:

Confirm that you meet the age and education prerequisites.
Select a Washington-approved 90-hour education program.
Complete the 60-hour Fundamentals and 30-hour Practices courses.
Keep copies of course completion records.
Register with PSI.
Study for both the national and Washington examinations.
Pass both exam portions within the required six-month window.
Schedule fingerprinting only after passing the examination.
Submit the application and required fees.
Interview Lakewood-area brokerages before choosing a sponsoring firm.
Create a budget for education, licensing, transportation, technology, marketing, and brokerage expenses.
Track your license expiration date and continuing education requirements.

For students who want a flexible starting point, Leap Real Estate’s Washington licensing course is one program to evaluate alongside other approved providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Lakewood applicants follow different licensing rules?

No separate City of Lakewood real estate license is identified in the Washington broker-license requirements cited here. The professional license is issued under Washington’s statewide system through the Department of Licensing.

Is a college degree required?

No. The DOL lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the education prerequisite; a college degree is not listed as a requirement for an entry-level broker license.

Can the required education be completed online?

Online and other course formats may be available, but the course must satisfy Washington’s approval and clock-hour requirements. Confirm approval with the DOL and the education provider before enrolling.

How much should a new applicant budget?

At minimum, the current listed state charges include the $210 examination fee and $233 original broker-license fee. Education, fingerprinting, background-check charges, and business expenses are additional and vary by provider or vendor.

Can a new broker work without a sponsoring brokerage?

A newly licensed broker should arrange affiliation with a Washington real estate firm and work under the supervision of its designated broker. Confirm the firm’s onboarding and supervision process before beginning brokerage activity.

How often must a Washington broker renew?

The DOL states that real estate broker licenses renew every two years.

Authoritative Sources