Real Estate License from Florida 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 Florida. 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 Florida 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, Florida → Washington
| Florida (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 63 | 90 |
| Application fee | $62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately) | $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; the license is issued after DBPR reviews the application and the applicant passes the 40-question Florida law exam | 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 | Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR | 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 Florida real estate license?
Yes — Washington recognizes real estate licenses from all states, including Florida. 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 Florida 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 Florida after I'm licensed in Washington?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Florida 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)
- Florida FREC — Mutual Recognition States (10-state list; 40-question law exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida DBPR — RE-1 Sales Associate Application (application fee $62.75; mutual recognition section) ↗ (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]