Renew or reinstate your license: Real estate brokers

Learn how to renew or reinstate your real estate broker license.

Renew your license

• You must renew your license every 2 years
• You can renew up to 120 days before your license expires
• You must renew your fingerprint-based background check results every 6 years

You'll get separate emails for license and fingerprint renewal notices. Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to make sure we have your current email address on file. You can also see reminders under the "Your To-Do's" section in SAW.

Renewal requirements

Meet the requirements below and update your contact information online, if necessary, before you renew your license.

Before you renew, you must certify online that you have completed all the required continuing education. Visit our Course Search page for a list of approved real estate education courses.

You don’t need to upload proof of your education unless your renewal notice states you have randomly been chosen for audit.

Continuing education requirements: First active renewal

The first time you renew an active license, you must take the continuing education courses required by law:

• You must complete at least 90 hours of continuing education, including:
  • 30-hour Advanced Practices Course
  • 30-hour Real Estate Law Course
  • 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
  • At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education
  • Once you've taken the initial 6-hour course, you must take the 3-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course each time you renew.

  Continuing education requirements: Subsequent active renewals

  After your first renewal, you must take the continuing education courses required by law each time you renew an active license:

  • You must complete at least 30 hours, including:
    • 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
    • At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education
    • Once you've taken the initial 6-hour course, you must take the 3-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course each time you renew.

    Continuing education requirements: Inactive licenses

    You don't need to complete continuing education requirements to renew an inactive license.

    If you want to reactivate your license, you may be required to take continuing education courses. Email ReEducation@dol.wa.gov for more information.

    Fingerprint results

    If your fingerprint results have expired, you must submit a new background check.

    • If you live in Washington, schedule a fingerprint appointment through IdentoGO/Idemia.
    • If you live out of state, see how to submit your fingerprints from outside Washington.

    Results take 14 business days to appear in our system. Read about fees and more information on fingerprinting.

    How to renew your license

    Follow these steps to renew your license.

    Gather the required documents

    • Payment for the license renewal fee
    • Documents for legal background questions (if needed)

    Renew your license online

    You'll receive your license faster by applying and paying online.

    If you don't see the renewal button in SAW

    If your fingerprint results have expired, a reminder will appear under the Your To-Do's section in SAW. When your results are current, the renewal button and reminder will appear.

    Renew your license by mail

    To renew your license by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal notice. If you did not receive a renewal notice, complete a Real Estate License Renewal form.

    Mail your form and a check or money order for the renewal fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:

    Real Estate Licensing
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856

    It will take at least 21 days from the date you mail to process your renewal.

    Reinstate your license

    • You can reinstate your license if it has been canceled for less than 2 years
    • If your license expired more than 3 years ago, you must apply for a new license

    Reinstatement requirements

    See the requirements you must meet before you can reinstate your license.

    Confirm you can reinstate

    Email us at realestate@dol.wa.gov with your full name and previous license number to find out if you can reinstate it. We will email you instructions and the amount of your reinstatement fee.

    Continuing education requirements: Reinstatement

    You must complete coursework within 1 year before applying for reinstatement and pay the license fees and penalties. This includes:

    • Completing 60 clock hours of approved real estate coursework (30 of the 60 clock hours must include the Real Estate Law course)
    • Paying all back renewal fees with penalties
    • Paying a $100 reinstatement penalty fine

    Visit our Course Search page for a list of approved continuing education courses.

    Fingerprint results

    If your fingerprint results have expired, you must submit a new background check.

    • If you live in Washington, schedule a fingerprint appointment through IdentoGO/Idemia.
    • If you live out of state, see how to submit your fingerprints from outside Washington.

    Results take 14 business days to appear in our system. Read about fees and more information on fingerprinting.

    How to reinstate your license

    Follow these steps to reinstate your expired license.

    Gather the required documents

    • Documents for legal background questions (if needed)
    • Copies of your course completion certifications ready to upload

    Reinstate your license online

    We'll reinstate your license faster when you apply and pay online.

    Reinstate your license by mail

    Mail a completed Real Estate License Renewal form, a check or money order (payable to the Department of Licensing) for the quoted reinstatement fee, and a copy of the email you received from us to:

    Real Estate Licensing
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856

    Print your license

    Get your license online

    Get your license by mail

    Licenses are no longer mailed unless you request one by paying the license print fee online. Paper licenses no longer include the card size license.

    Get your license by email

    If you choose to have your license emailed, it can take up to 4 hours to be delivered. Not in your inbox? Look in your spam/junk folder.