Experience

• You do not need any prior experience for the broker license. For a managing broker license, you must have 3 years of experience working full-time as a real estate broker.
  
  

Pre-License Education

• Both licenses require that you complete 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education courses. The broker license requires that you complete the education within two years of applying for the examination. For a managing broker license, you must complete the education within three years. You can find a list of approved pre-license education courses on the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
  
  

Examination

• The Department of Licensing has contracted with a private company, Applied Measurement Professionals, for the administration of the licensing examination. You can register for the examination from the AMP website or by calling 800-345-6559. As of January 2011, the examination fee is $138.25. To pass, you need a score of 70 percent for the broker examination and 75 percent for the managing broker examination.
  
  

Fingerprinting

• After passing your examination, pick up two fingerprint cards from the testing center. Take the cards to a fingerprinting location approved by the Washington State Policy to have your fingerprints taken. You can find a list of approved fingerprinting locations on the Washington State Policy website. The fingerprinting requirement does not apply if you submitted fingerprints to the Department of Licensing in the past six years.
  
  

Application

• The final step in the licensing process is to submit your application to the Department of Licensing. You can download an application from the department's website. Submit your application and a check or money order for the license fee, which as of January 2011 is $146.25 for the broker license and $210.00 for the managing broker license, to the address listed on the application. Include the two fingerprint cards and a background check fee, which is $35.25 as of January 2011, if your fingerprints are required. The department will issue your license after it approves your application.
  
  

Renewal

• Real estate licenses are valid for two years, after which you have to apply for renewal. Both brokers and managing brokers must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education courses as a condition of license renewal. You can download a renewal application from the Department of Licensing website. As of January 2010, the renewal fees are $146.25 for brokers and $210 for managing brokers. Add an additional $26.50 to both fees if you submit your renewal application late.