To become a real estate professional in the state of Washington, you must attend one of the many Washington real estate schools. Make sure the school you choose meets the requirements of the Washington Real Estate Commission, which acts under the authority of the state’s Department of Licensing. Both the school and its teachers must meet the Commission’s requirements.
Real Estate Broker’s License: To obtain this license you must be at least 18, have a high school diploma, two years of full-time experience and 120 hours of qualified instruction. The hours of instruction are broken into 30-hour units in the following categories: brokerage management, business management, real estate law and approved electives. After you have finished your training at one of the many approved Washington real estate schools, you must pass the state licensing examination, fill out an application and pay about $350 in fees to obtain certification.
Real Estate Salesperson’s License: The requirements for a real estate salesperson in the state of Washington are less than those for a real estate broker, but that doesn’t make them easy. You must be 18, take 60 hours of real estate fundamentals classes, pass the exam and pay about $300 in fees.
Real Estate Appraisal Certification: Washington state has three different types of appraisal certifications — general appraiser, residential appraiser and real estate appraiser. General and residential appraisers need to be certified; a real estate appraiser must be licensed.
As with the salesperson and broker licenses, courses to become an appraiser must also be taken at a Washington real estate school. A general real estate appraiser certificate requires 180 hours of classroom instruction, and both residential and licensed appraisers must complete 90 hours of classroom instruction.
The appraiser exams are given in Everett, Kennewick, Lacey, Spokane, Seattle, Vancouver, Wenatchee and Yakima. The exam is not available every day of the week; in some locations it is only offered once a week or once a month, so make sure you plan ahead to fit the exam in your schedule.
After you have received your license, you will have to renew it every two years. In order to renew your license, you must complete continuing education training at a qualified Washington real estate school.
Washington real estate schools are located throughout the state. Some courses can be taken at local colleges and universities. The Internet also offers some online courses, but make sure they are approved by the Real Estate Commission before beginning.
If you have taken the required courses, but do not feel ready for the exam, use books, CDs, DVDs or videos to refresh your memory and continue training.
By Clint Hunter