With the rising cost of college tuition, many students are looking for alternative education opportunities. Fortunately, real estate is one of the few careers that doesn’t require a college degree. So, whether you are a high school student looking to start your profession or an experienced professional looking to change jobs, real estate can be your ticket to a lucrative and rewarding career.
In this article, we outline the education requirements for getting your Washington real estate license and how to set yourself up for success.
Overview of Real Estate Licensing Requirements
Since you don’t need a college degree in real estate, you may be wondering what type of education you need instead. In this section, we’ll go over the real estate licensing requirements for Washington State.
General licensing requirements in the U.S.
The licensing requirements for a real estate license vary by state, but most states have the following basic requirements for licensure:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent education
- Complete a pre-licensing course
- Pass a real estate license exam
- Complete continuing education requirements to keep the license active
State-specific variations
Some states allow for exceptions to certain requirements. For instance, if you are already licensed in another state, some states have license reciprocity, which streamlines the application process for licensees. In fact, Washington state has reciprocity with all 50 states, so if you are already licensed in another state, you may not need to complete the pre-licensing education requirement.
Additionally, some states allow applicants with college-level education in real estate or related fields to bypass the pre-licensing course requirement. At this time, the Washington Department of Real Estate Licensing allows applicants with a college degree to bypass the pre-licensing education requirement on a case-by-case basis. You will need to submit documentation of the equivalent education to the Department of Licensing and allow two weeks for approval.
Education and pre-licensing courses required
You don’t need a college degree to get your real estate license, but you do need a high school diploma or equivalent education (such as a GED). You must also complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education consisting of two courses: a 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course and a 30-hour Real Estate Practices course.
Benefits of Having a College Degree in Real Estate
Even though a college degree is not required in real estate, there are benefits to having one. Let’s take a look at some benefits of having a college degree as a real estate professional.
Advantages in career advancement
If you want to advance your real estate career beyond that of a real estate broker, having a college degree could be useful. For instance, having a business degree could be beneficial if you want to run your own real estate firm or brokerage.
Enhanced knowledge and skills
Many people go to college to broaden their knowledge and skills. For instance, taking a college-level finance course may help you with the finance section of the pre-licensing course and real estate exam. Similarly, if you majored in marketing in college, you may be able to apply what you’ve learned to marketing your real estate business and listings.
Networking opportunities
One of the benefits of having a college degree is having access to a network of alums. Networking is a large part of real estate, making access to an extensive college network very valuable. Since there is often a sense of pride or loyalty when it comes to one’s alma mater, it may be easier to network and form relationships with fellow alums, even if you didn’t know each other in college.
Increased marketability
A college degree may help you become more marketable to potential clients. Purchasing a home is a big financial decision, so some clients may be more inclined to hire someone with a higher education degree, especially if the degree is related to real estate.
Alternative Educational Paths
If you don’t have a college degree, don’t worry. There are many alternative education options that can help you become a successful real estate broker.
Real estate schools and training programs
Real estate schools are a great option for those looking to launch a career in real estate. These schools specialize in real estate education and training and employ instructors who often have decades of industry experience. This specialization allows students to better understand the ins and outs of real estate that they may not get at a college or university. Additionally, training programs catering to real estate usually have more industry resources and tools available to students that will be useful once they get their licenses.
Online courses and distance learning options
In today’s digital age, online courses present an excellent opportunity to advance your career from the comfort of your home. You can even take your real estate education online via livestream of an onsite classroom or via a self-paced, online course.
Apprenticeships and mentorships
Apprenticeships and mentorships allow you to learn directly from a working professional. Instead of a traditional classroom, your classroom is shadowing a real estate broker or managing broker as they complete their daily tasks and responsibilities. There is arguably no better way to get practical, hands-on experience than with a mentorship.
Real Estate Courses and Certifications
While a college degree is not required to get your broker’s license, there are some essential real estate courses you will need to complete in order to get licensed, as well as some optional advanced certifications to help you differentiate yourself from the competition. Here’s an overview of essential courses.
Pre-licensing courses
In Washington State, if you are not already licensed in another state or have completed college-level real estate courses, you need to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education from a state-approved education provider.
Continuing education courses
Once you get your broker’s license, you need to keep it active by completing 30 hours of continuing education every two years. However, the first time you renew your license, you must take 90 hours of continuing education.
Key certifications and designations
After you get your broker’s license, you may want to consider furthering your education with a certification or designation. Let’s take a look at some key certifications and designations that can help you specialize in a certain area of real estate and market yourself to potential clients.
REALTOR®
The REALTOR® designation denotes membership to the National Association of REALTORS® (or NAR). In order to become a REALTOR®, you must be a licensed broker, join your local REALTOR® association, and pay membership dues ($156 in 2024). There are many benefits to becoming a REALTOR®, including access to partner discounts, networking opportunities, and industry publications and resources.
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, provide by NAR, is for real estate professionals who want to specialize in residential sales as opposed to commercial or industrial real estate sales. You must be a NAR member in order to apply for this designation.
Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation, provided by NAR, is for real estate professionals who want to specialize in representing buyers in a real estate transaction. The education cost is free for NAR members.
Military Relocation Professional Certification® (MRP)
The Military Relocation Profession (MRP) Certification®, also provided by NAR, helps real estate professionals specialize in helping military members relocate to different parts of the country.
Be advised that some of these certifications and designations require previous experience, such as the number of transactions completed or years active, to qualify.
Skills and Qualities of Successful Real Estate Brokers
Completing your education requirements is just one step to becoming a successful real estate broker. You need to possess the skills necessary to have a successful career. In this section, we’ll go over the skills and qualities you need to enjoy a prosperous real estate career.
Essential skills
In addition to acquiring real estate knowledge, you need to possess some essential skills to help you in your day-to-day work as a broker. If you don’t already possess these skills, there are ways to develop your real estate skills and abilities.
Communication and negotiation
Communication and negotiation skills are two essential skills that real estate brokers should possess. As a real estate broker, you will be communicating with clients, potential clients, and other brokers, to name a few. Thus, you need to be able to talk to various people with different needs and objectives.
Additionally, you will need to be able to negotiate on behalf of your client in order to secure the best deal for them. So, having good negotiation skills can help you get more of what is on your client’s wishlist in their desired price range.
Market knowledge and research
Knowing your market is a large part of running a successful real estate business. What is the median sale price? Is it a seller’s or a buyer’s market? How long are homes staying on the market? These are just some questions real estate brokers should know or at least be able to find out quickly. After all, to your clients, you’ll be the real estate expert, so you’ll need to be able to answer any questions they may have.
Time management and organization
One of the great things about real estate is the flexible schedule. However, this makes having good time management and organizational skills essential. Luckily, tools and resources are available to help real estate professionals juggle all the appointments and tasks they may have at any given time.
Personal qualities
Real estate brokers are a diverse group of people, but they tend to have some similar personal qualities that make them well-suited for a career in real estate. Here are just a few of these personal qualities and attributes.
Persistence and resilience
Real estate is not for the faint of heart. There will be times when business is scarce, but those who can weather the storm reap the benefits once the tide turns. Also, since most real estate professionals get their clients from previous client referrals, acquiring your first few clients may be difficult. However, once you have some experience, getting a steady stream of business is much easier.
Ethical conduct and professionalism
Real estate professionals have a strong ethical code that puts their clients’ interests before their own. For instance, if you are representing a buyer, you want to help them get a good deal on their new house, even if it means a smaller commission for you. Additionally, you will need to have a strong sense of professionalism. This means showing up on time for viewings, responding to clients in a timely and courteous manner, and ensuring the closing process goes as smoothly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’ve covered a lot, but you may still have some outstanding questions regarding real estate education. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Common questions about educational requirements
“Is a college degree necessary to become a real estate broker?”
No. You do not need a college degree to become a licensed real estate broker in Washington.
“Can I succeed in real estate without a degree?”
Yes! Many successful real estate professionals don’t have a college degree. So, it is entirely possible to launch a successful and lucrative real estate career without a higher education degree or experience.
“What are the best courses for aspiring real estate brokers?”
The best course for aspiring real estate brokers is the required pre-licensing education course. But, if you want to get a sense of what a career in real estate is like before you commit to take the pre-licensing course, Rockwell Institute offers a virtual open house in which you can talk with experienced real estate instructors to gain insights into the day in the life of a Washington real estate broker.
As always, our customer support specialists are here to help if you have any additional questions.
Launching a new career can be intimidating, no matter your educational background. But you don’t have to go it alone. Rockwell Institute has helped more than 150,000 students just like you launch successful careers in real estate. So, what are you waiting for? Start your real estate career today!
