How Soon Can You Get Your Real Estate License?

You can get your real estate license in Washington when you turn 18. You may be excited about working in the industry after seeing videos like this one that show a young woman making a tremendous amount of money in her first three years on the job. However, this video fails to mention that you must have a real estate license to work as a broker in Washington. Keep reading, and we’ll tell you the fastest way to get a real estate license in Washington  – and a quick overview of the process.  

Key Takeaways

• You can earn a real estate license in Washington once you turn 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. While it’s possible to begin pre-licensing courses before turning 18, it’s recommended to start closer to your 18th birthday as you cannot take the licensing exam until you reach the required age.
• Completing the 90-hour pre-licensing coursework through self-paced online classes is the quickest option, allowing disciplined students to finish in about two weeks. The entire process, including coursework, exams, and applications, typically takes two to three months.
• Starting salaries for real estate brokers in Washington range from $32,279 to $44,737, with average incomes reaching $97,169. Real estate offers unlimited income potential, influenced by your niche and effort.
• Real estate may be a great career choice if you enjoy interacting with people, want flexible hours, prefer being your own boss, and are interested in architecture, design, or dynamic industries.

Washington Pre-Licensing Education Requirements Overview

More and more people are entering the real estate industry at a young age. How old do you have to be to get your real estate license in Washington? You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). Here’s a brief overview of the licensing process for becoming a real estate broker.

• Pre-Licensing Courses: Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education. If you are in a hurry to get licensed, consider taking a three-week in-person or livestream course or enrolling in at-your-own-pace online classes.
• Real Estate Exam: The next step in obtaining your license is passing Washington’s real estate exam. While you can retake the exam as many times as needed, retaking it will prolong the time it takes to get licensed. Purchase a quality pre-licensing education package that includes test prep materials to increase the likelihood of passing the test the first time you take it.
• Background Check: You’ll need to pass a background check to become a real estate agent in Washington. Go to a fingerprinting facility as soon as you pass the broker exam to start the process as quickly as possible.
• Application: You must complete an online application to get your license. Make sure the application is filled out completely to avoid delays in licensing. Please note that you need to know your “employing firm” to complete the application, so start talking to brokerages in your area while in real estate school to expedite the licensing process.

How Early Can You Get Your License in Washington?

In Washington, you can become a real estate agent once you turn 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. While you can begin your pre-licensing courses before turning 18, it’s a good idea to wait until you’re close to your 18th birthday to start real estate school, as you won’t be able to take the exam until you reach the required age.

Can you get your real estate license in high school in Washington?

No, you must be 18 and a high school graduate (or equivalent) to be licensed in Washington.

Can you get your real estate license at 16?

No, you must be at least 18 to get your real estate license in Washington. However, you can start taking real estate classes before you turn 18. Washington State Department of Licensing requires that you complete your education within two years before applying for the broker’s exam. While this technically means you could start taking classes at 16, this may not be a good idea. It’s better to complete the licensing courses right before you take the exam.

How Fast Can You Get Your Real Estate License in Washington?

You can get your real estate license in Washington in two to three months. Here are some factors determining how long it will take and the fastest way to get a real estate broker license. 

Pre-licensing courses (3 weeks): You must complete 90 hours of coursework to get a real estate broker license in Washington. The courses can be taken in-person, via live stream, or at your own pace online. 

Choosing self-paced courses is the fastest way to get a real estate license in any state. When you enroll in online classes, you can start learning immediately. Disciplined students can get through the material in about two weeks. But, if you worry about not being disciplined enough to get through the material quickly on your own, consider enrolling in an in-person or livestream three-week course.

Find a sponsoring broker (1 week – while taking real estate courses): You may already have a broker in mind who has already agreed to work with you. However, if you don’t, you will want to interview with several brokerages to find the right fit. Some real estate schools host career expos to connect students with hiring brokerages.

Prepare for the salesperson exam (1-2 weeks): Although the Washington licensing exam itself only takes a few hours, it’s important to dedicate time to studying. Using high-quality study materials can make the preparation process smoother and significantly boost your chances of passing on your first attempt. The sooner you pass the exam, the sooner you can start earning your first commission check!

Application (1 month): It will take time for your application to be processed. The Washington State Department of Licensing offers this advice:

• If the “Apply for License” button doesn’t appear in the “Your To-Dos” section, exam results have not yet been received.
• If a reminder to submit fingerprints appears but fingerprints have already been submitted, the results may not have been received yet. It can take up to 14 business days for the Washington State Patrol to process and send the results.
• If more than 14 business days have passed since fingerprints were submitted and more than 4 business days have passed since completing the exam, and the “Your To-Dos” section is still missing the button, email for assistance. Be sure to include the TCN number issued by IdentoGo and the date the fingerprints were submitted in the email.

Two to three months may feel like an eternity for those getting started in real estate. However, setting realistic goals and timelines for obtaining a real estate license is important so you don’t become discouraged.

What Is the Expected Starting Salary for Real Estate Brokers?

According to ZipRecruiter in December 2024, the average income of real estate agents in Washington is $97,169. The lowest income range, representing 5% of those surveyed, is $32,279 to $44,737. This is probably the closest to the average starting salary.

However, these figures can vary based on your niche or specialty and the effort you put into your career. Many are attracted to real estate for its unlimited income potential.

Is Becoming a Real Estate Broker Right for You?

It’s hard for many people to decide on a career. How do you know if real estate is the right industry for you? Answer these questions:

• Do you like interacting with new people?
• Do you want to set your own hours?
• Do you want to be your own boss?
• Are you interested in architecture and design?
• Do you want to work outside of a traditional office?
• Do you want to work in an exciting, dynamic industry?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, real estate might be the right career (or side hustle!) for you. 

If you’re ready to get started in real estate and want to get your Washington real estate license quickly, choose Rockwell Institute’s online real estate pre-licensing courses. How soon can you get your real estate license? You can start within minutes by choosing self-paced courses with Rockwell.