As a Washington real estate licensee, you must complete continuing education to maintain your license. In this guide, we'll break down the Washington real estate CE requirements for all license types, key renewal deadlines, and a step-by-step look at how to renew your license. We'll also answer common questions and share practical tips to help you finish your CE on time. Discover how you can get FREE CE to jumpstart your renewal!
Continuing Education Requirements for All Designations
Brokers, Managing Brokers, and Designated Brokers
The Washington Department of Licensing requires that all real estate licensees complete 30 hours of approved CE courses every two years for an active license renewal. Your 30 hours must include a 3-hour Core Course (covering current issues in Washington real estate) and a Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course.
If you haven't yet taken the initial 6-hour Fair Housing course, you need to complete that once; after that, a 3-hour Fair Housing course is required for each renewal. The remaining hours can be elective topics of your choice to make up the full 30 hours.
First-Time Broker Renewal
If you're renewing a broker license for the first time, Washington requires a special 90-hour post-licensing package. This includes 30 hours of Advanced Real Estate Practices, 30 hours of Real Estate Law, the 3-hour Core course, and a Fair Housing course, plus additional electives to total 90 hours. Once you complete this one-time 90-hour requirement, all subsequent renewals require the standard 30-hour CE requirement.
First-Time Managing Broker Renewal
For first renewals as a Managing Broker, you must complete the standard 30 hours of approved CE courses every two years for an active license renewal. Your 30 hours must include a 3-hour Core Course (covering current issues in Washington real estate) and a Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course.
NOTE: ⚠️ No carryover CE credits are allowed for this first renewal. Any CE hours must be earned after your managing broker license is issued to count toward the initial Managing Broker license renewal.
Key Deadlines for Washington License Renewal
Staying on top of renewal deadlines is vital so you don’t accidentally let your license lapse. Remember these key timelines:
License Expiration
Washington real estate licenses expire every two years on the anniversary of your license issue date. You must complete your CE and submit your renewal by that date to keep your license active.
Renewal Opening
You can renew as early as 120 days before the expiration date. The Department of Licensing’s online system, SAW, allows renewal up to four months in advance. Renewing early is smart – it gives you a cushion to resolve any issues.
Late Renewal (Reinstatement)
If you miss your renewal deadline, your license expires. Washington allows a reinstatement period of up to 3 years after expiration, but there are extra steps.
- If you renew late (within that 3-year window), you must complete 60 hours of CE (including a 30-hour Law course for reinstatement) and pay a penalty.
- If more than 3 years have passed since expiration, you’ll need to start over and reapply for a new license (meeting all initial licensing requirements again. It's much easier to renew on time than to deal with a lapsed license!
How to Renew Your Washington Real Estate License
When it’s time to renew your Washington real estate license, complete the following three steps:
- Complete Your CE Courses: Make sure you meet the CE course requirements for your first or subsequent renewal.
- Submit Your Application: Once you’ve finished your Washington real estate continuing education courses, you’ll submit the renewal application through the Department of Licensing online portal, SAW. If you prefer, you can mail in a paper application, but online renewal is faster. The standard renewal fees are $223 for Brokers and $320 for Managing Brokers.
- Verify Your Renewal: You should receive confirmation that your renewal is processed. If you don’t, follow up with the DOL.You can always log in to the portal to verify thatyour license expiration date has been extended.
Pro-Tip: The renewal process is simple and efficient when you choose a quality, state-approved provider for your continuing education.
Why Choose Empire Learning in Washington
When it comes to completing your CE, Empire Learning offers a convenient and reliable option for Washington licensees. Here are some benefits of choosing Empire Learning for your continuing education:
- Free Course ($40 Value) 🎉 – Start with a free Washington CE course (a $40 value) at Empire Learning, with no cost or commitment. It's a great way to try our program and get some credit hours for free.
- Flexible, Self-Paced Learning 📆 – Complete courses on your schedule. Empire Learning’s online courses are available 24/7 from any device, so you can study whenever it’s convenient. Pause and resume anytime – perfect for busy professionals.
- No Stressful Exams 😄 – Our content is straightforward, easy to follow, and there are no final exams, so you can complete each course without test anxiety.
- Excellent Support 📞 – Have questions or need help? Empire Learning’s support team is ready to assist. We are here to ensure your Washington CE experience is smooth from start to finish (just check our Trustpilot reviews to see what other licensees are saying about us).
Common Questions About Washington CE Requirements
Q: How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my Washington real estate license?
A: You need to complete 30 hours of approved continuing education every two years to renew your license. If you are renewing a broker license for the first time, you have to complete 90 hours of courses (a one-time post-licensing requirement.
Q: What specific courses are required as part of the 30 hours?
A: Washington requires two specific courses in your CE total: a 3-hour Core Course and a Fair Housing course. The Fair Housing requirement is 6 hours initially (if you have not taken it yet) and 3 hours for every subsequent renewal. The rest of your hours can be any state-approved elective topics.
Q: When is my Washington real estate license renewal due?
A: Your license expires two years on its issue date. You can look up your license by logging in to the SAW portal or on the public Washington DOL License Lookup.
Q: Can I carry over extra CE hours to my next renewal?
A: Yes. Washington allows you to carry forward up to 15 unused CE hours to your next renewal, as long as those hours were earned within 48 months of your next expiration date. Remember that the 3-hour Core course cannot be carried over; you must take the Core anew for each renewal cycle.
Q: What if I don’t renew my license on time?
A: If you miss the deadline, your license will expire. You then have up to 3 years to reinstate it by completing 60 hours of CE (including a 30-hour Law course) and paying a late fee. If your license has expired for more than 3 years, you have to reapply for a brand new license. It is much simpler to renew on time and avoid the extra work and costs of reinstatement.
Tips for Easy License Renewal
- Start Early 🌅 Begin your CE courses well before your expiration date. Finishing your education a few weeks (or months) early means no last-minute rush or stress.
- Set a Schedule 🗓️ Block out regular time in your week for coursework. For example, dedicate an hour each morning or a couple of evenings each week to completing lessons. Consistent progress prevents the need to cram 30 hours at the last minute.
- Use Online Courses 🛜 Take advantage of online, self-paced CE courses. You can study whenever you have free time – whether it's early morning, during lunch, or late at night – and from any location. This flexibility makes it easier to fit your 30 hours of learning into a busy schedule.
- Leverage Free CE 🆓 If a free CE course is available (like Empire Learning’s free $40 course), use it! It's an easy way to earn credits early 😃 and free or low-cost courses have multiple benefits.
- Track Your Credits 📜Keep a log of the courses you’ve completed and the hours earned, and save your completion certificates. This way you’ll know exactly when you’ve hit 30 hours, and you’ll have proof handy in case you need to verify your education. (Bonus: If you earn extra hours, remember you can carry over up to 15 to the next cycle.)
- Renew Early ⏳When you’ve finished your CE and the renewal window opens, submit your renewal online. Renewing even a few weeks early gives you peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about deadline pressure or last-minute technical glitches, and your license will remain active without interruption.
By staying proactive with your continuing education, you'll make your real estate license renewal a breeze in The Evergreen State.
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and may be subject to change. Always confirm specific requirements with the Washington Real Estate Commission or consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.