How to Get Your Real Estate License in Spokane Valley, Washington

Starting a real estate career in Spokane Valley requires earning a Washington real estate broker license. The process includes completing approved education, passing national and state examinations, submitting fingerprints for a background check, applying through the Washington State Department of Licensing, and working with a sponsoring real estate firm or designated broker.

A convenient way to begin is with an approved Washington pre-licensing program such as Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course. Before enrolling, confirm that the course satisfies Washington’s current Department of Licensing requirements and fits your preferred schedule and learning format.

Washington Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a Washington real estate broker license, an applicant 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 portions of the broker examination.
Complete the required fingerprint-based background check.
Apply for the license within the applicable deadline.
Work through a Washington real estate firm and designated broker to conduct licensed real estate activity.

The education must include:

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

The Washington Department of Licensing states that applicants must apply for and complete the broker examinations within two years after completing the required education.

Step 1: Complete 90 Hours of Approved Education

The first major step is completing 90 clock hours through courses approved by Washington’s real estate program. The required curriculum consists of Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practices.

These courses generally cover subjects such as:

Washington real estate law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership
Real estate finance
Brokerage operations
Fair housing
Consumer protection
Transactions and closing procedures
Professional responsibilities

Choose a school listed through Washington’s approved education resources. Course availability, tuition, instructor support, testing procedures, and completion policies vary by provider.

For prospective students in Spokane Valley, Leap Real Estate’s Washington pre-licensing course is one online option to investigate. Verify the provider’s current approval status, course inclusions, tuition, and enrollment terms before registering.

Step 2: Choose an Online or In-Person Course

Washington allows prospective licensees to choose among approved education providers and course formats. Online education can be useful for Spokane Valley students who need flexibility around work, family, or other commitments.

When comparing online real estate schools, look for:

Washington approval for the required courses
Both the 60-hour and 30-hour portions of the curriculum
Clear instructions for completing clock-hour requirements
Instructor or student support
Practice questions and exam preparation
Transparent tuition and refund policies
Mobile or desktop compatibility
A process for receiving proof of course completion

An online course does not eliminate the licensing examination, fingerprinting, application, or other state requirements. It simply provides a flexible way to complete the required education.

Step 3: Register for and Pass the Broker Examination

After completing the required education, applicants register for the Washington broker examination through the state’s examination vendor, PSI. The examination includes separate national and state portions.

Important examination rules include:

Both the state and national portions must be passed.
The two portions must be passed within six months of one another.
If the required portions are not passed within the permitted period, the applicant may need to retake both.
The license application must be submitted within one year after passing the final examination.

The Washington Department of Licensing directs applicants to create a PSI account and schedule examinations online or by telephone. Examination fees are separate from course tuition and licensing fees.

How to Prepare for the Exam

A practical study plan may include:

Completing all assigned course material before scheduling the examination
Reviewing Washington-specific laws and procedures
Taking timed practice examinations
Memorizing key formulas and definitions
Studying agency, contracts, finance, and property ownership
Reviewing missed practice questions
Scheduling the exam when the material is still fresh

The national portion tests broadly applicable real estate concepts, while the Washington portion focuses on state laws, rules, and practices.

Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Washington requires a fingerprint-based background check for the broker license. The Department of Licensing instructs applicants to pass the examination before submitting fingerprints.

Fingerprinting is completed through the state’s designated electronic fingerprinting vendor. Applicants should:

Schedule the appointment through the vendor identified by the Department of Licensing.
Bring the identification and documentation requested for the appointment.
Pay the separate fingerprinting and background-check charges.
Disclose information accurately on the license application.

A criminal history does not automatically establish the outcome of an application. However, applicants should provide complete and truthful information and contact the Department of Licensing if they need guidance about a particular record.

Step 5: Submit the License Application

After passing the examination and completing fingerprinting, submit the Washington broker license application and required fees. Washington provides online application services, and the Department of Licensing also identifies a mailing option for applicants who submit a paper application.

The application process generally requires:

Personal and contact information
Proof or record of required education
Examination results
Fingerprint and background-check information
Any required disclosures
Payment of licensing and research fees
Information about the real estate firm or designated broker relationship, when required for activation or affiliation

Keep copies of course completion records, examination results, fingerprinting documentation, and application confirmations.

Step 6: Work With a Sponsoring Broker or Designated Broker

A newly licensed Washington broker generally begins a career by affiliating with a licensed real estate firm under the supervision of a designated broker. This relationship gives the new broker a place to conduct business and access to brokerage supervision, transaction systems, forms, training, and compliance procedures.

When interviewing Spokane Valley brokerages, ask about:

Commission and fee structures
Training for newly licensed brokers
Mentorship and transaction support
Desk, technology, or administrative fees
Lead-generation programs
Office locations and service areas
Expectations for prospecting and marketing
Whether the firm serves Spokane Valley, Spokane, Liberty Lake, or surrounding communities
Rules for independent contractors and business expenses

The best brokerage is not necessarily the one offering the highest advertised commission split. New brokers should also evaluate supervision, education, transaction support, culture, and the practical cost of starting a business.

Washington Real Estate License Costs

The total cost varies because applicants pay for education, examination, fingerprinting, background checks, licensing, and potentially transportation or study materials.

The Washington Department of Licensing currently lists the following broker fees:

| Item | Current listed fee |
|---|---:|
| Broker examination | $210 |
| Broker examination retake | $210 |
| Original broker license | $233 |
| Broker license renewal | $233 |
| Late renewal | $273 |
| License reinstatement fee, in addition to renewal fees | $100 |
| Printed license by mail | $5 |

The original-license and renewal amounts include a mandatory $20 research fee. Fingerprinting and background-check charges are separate, and course tuition is set by the education provider. Because fees can change, verify the amount through the Department of Licensing before paying.

How Long Does the Licensing Process Take?

Washington does not establish one universal number of days for completing the entire licensing process. The timeline depends on the student’s pace, course schedule, examination availability, retakes, fingerprint processing, application review, and brokerage affiliation.

The state does impose important deadlines:

Education and the broker examinations must be completed within the required two-year education window.
The state and national examination portions must be passed within six months of one another.
The license application must be submitted within one year after passing the final examination.

A student who completes the 90 hours quickly, passes both examinations on the first attempt, and submits a complete application may finish faster than a student who studies part time or needs a retake. Do not schedule major career or financial commitments around an assumed approval date until the Department of Licensing confirms the license status.

Post-License Education and First Renewal

Washington requires additional education for the first renewal of a broker license. State law provides that first-renewal education must include 90 hours of prescribed courses, including real estate law, fair housing and consumer protection issues, advanced practices, and continuing education.

New brokers should track:

The license expiration date
The date the first license was issued
Required post-license course subjects
Course approval status
Completion certificates
Renewal deadlines

Post-license education is separate from the initial 90-hour pre-licensing curriculum. Confirm the current course sequence and deadlines with the Department of Licensing or an approved education provider.

Continuing Education for Washington Brokers

After the first renewal requirements, Washington brokers must generally complete at least 30 clock hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period.

Current continuing-education rules also provide that:

At least 15 hours must be completed within the 24 months before the renewal date.
Required education includes prescribed core curriculum.
Active-license renewal includes Washington fair housing education.
Up to 15 excess clock hours may be carried forward into the next two-year period under the applicable rules.

Education must be completed through approved courses, and licensees should not wait until the last few weeks before expiration. Course approval, timing, and renewal requirements can change, so verify the current rules before selecting classes.

Potential Earnings in Spokane Valley

Real estate brokers typically do not receive a guaranteed salary. Income can depend on completed transactions, commission arrangements, brokerage fees, market conditions, business expenses, lead generation, experience, and the broker’s agreement with the firm.

A new broker may earn little or no commission during the initial period while building a client base and waiting for transactions to close. Expenses may include:

Licensing and education
Brokerage fees
Multiple-listing-service access
Association dues
Errors-and-omissions coverage
Marketing
Signs and printed materials
Transportation
Technology
Tax and accounting services

No single authoritative public source establishes a reliable Spokane Valley earnings figure for every real estate broker. Prospective students should treat advertised income claims cautiously and request written information about the brokerage’s compensation structure, fees, training costs, and typical transaction expectations.

Career Opportunities in Spokane Valley

A Washington broker license can support several real estate career paths in and around Spokane Valley, including:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Relocation assistance
New-construction sales
Commercial real estate
Property investment services
Land and acreage transactions
Property management-related opportunities, subject to applicable laws
Leasing and rental transactions
Real estate team operations
Transaction coordination and brokerage support

Spokane Valley professionals may also serve clients in nearby Spokane, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and other communities in the Inland Northwest. A license does not guarantee employment or income, and some specialties require additional training, experience, or compliance procedures.

A broker who later wants to pursue a managing broker license must satisfy separate requirements. Washington’s managing-broker pathway includes qualifying experience and additional approved education in areas such as brokerage management, business management, and advanced real estate law.

A Practical Spokane Valley Licensing Checklist

Use this sequence to organize the process:

Confirm that you meet the age and education prerequisites.
Select a Washington-approved education provider.
Complete 60 hours of Real Estate Fundamentals.
Complete 30 hours of Real Estate Practices.
Retain proof of course completion.
Create an examination account with PSI.
Pass the national and Washington state broker examinations.
Schedule fingerprinting after passing the examination.
Complete the background check.
Submit the license application and required fees.
Identify a suitable sponsoring firm and designated broker.
Complete first-renewal post-license education.
Track future renewal and continuing-education deadlines.

Final Considerations Before Enrolling

Real estate can offer flexibility, entrepreneurship, and multiple specialization options, but it is not a guaranteed-income career. Before enrolling, compare the full cost of education and startup expenses, understand the examination and renewal deadlines, and interview several Spokane Valley brokerages about supervision and compensation.

For students seeking a flexible starting point, review Leap Real Estate’s Washington licensing course, then confirm course approval and current program details before enrollment.

Authoritative Sources