Real Estate License from District of Columbia to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Commission ↗
Yes — Washington recognizes real estate licenses from all states, including District of Columbia. Apply to the Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Commission for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
Washington honors licenses from every state, so your District of Columbia license clears the threshold automatically. The work that remains is Washington-side mechanics: the application, the background check, the state-law exam where required, and affiliating with a Washington brokerage to activate the license. None of it is difficult; all of it is sequential — start the license-history certification first, it has the longest lead time.
What changes, District of Columbia → Washington
| District of Columbia (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 90 |
| Application fee | $65–$195 ($65 application fee plus $130 salesperson license fee (=$195 total); the PSI exam fee and the two required 3-hour DC courses are additional) | $233 (original broker license fee (includes mandatory $20 research fee); a $210 state exam fee and the fingerprint/background fee are charged separately) |
| Processing time | No board-stated timeframe; applications are filed through the DLCP OPLA online portal | No board-stated total; fingerprint results take ~14 business days and exam results ~4 business days before the online license application can be submitted |
| Licensing authority | District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (DCREC) — Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Commission |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Commission website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Commission (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Have been actively licensed as a real estate broker (or equivalent) in another state or jurisdiction, in good standing, within the preceding 6 months.
- Submit a certified license history from the other state (screenshots or license copies are rejected).
- Pass the Washington real estate law-and-rules examination.
- Fingerprint-based background check (results take ~14 business days).
- Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Pay the fees ($233 (original broker license fee (includes mandatory $20 research fee); a $210 state exam fee and the fingerprint/background fee are charged separately)) and allow No board-stated total; fingerprint results take ~14 business days and exam results ~4 business days before the online license application can be submitted.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington accept a District of Columbia real estate license?
Yes — Washington recognizes real estate licenses from all states, including District of Columbia. Apply to the Washington State Department of Licensing - Real Estate Commission for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Which exams will I take moving from District of Columbia to Washington?
Reciprocity applicants are not required to complete pre-license education; they must pass only the Washington real estate law-and-rules exam (the national exam portion is not required).
What does the move cost?
$233 (original broker license fee (includes mandatory $20 research fee); a $210 state exam fee and the fingerprint/background fee are charged separately) (original broker license fee (includes mandatory $20 research fee); a $210 state exam fee and the fingerprint/background fee are charged separately).
Can I keep selling in District of Columbia after I'm licensed in Washington?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the District of Columbia license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Washington DOL - Get Your License: Real Estate Broker License By Reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Washington DOL - Get Your License: Real Estate Brokers (education requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Washington DOL - Fees: Real Estate ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission (Salesperson Endorsement/Reciprocity requirements and fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]