Real Estate License from Illinois 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 Illinois. 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 Illinois 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, Illinois → Washington
| Illinois (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 75 | 90 |
| Application fee | $150 ($150 non-refundable endorsement application fee for the Broker profession ($175 for Managing Broker); separate from PSI endorsement-exam fees and 30-hour course tuition.) | $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 | IDFPR does not publish a stated processing time for endorsement applications | 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 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate | 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 Illinois real estate license?
Yes — Washington recognizes real estate licenses from all states, including Illinois. 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 Illinois 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 Illinois after I'm licensed in Washington?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Illinois 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)
- IDFPR — Real Estate Brokerage page ('Endorsement Process becomes effective January 1, 2026 ... replaces a Reciprocal Process previously in place with specific states') ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — Real Estate Application for Licensure by Endorsement (Broker $150 / Managing Broker $175; 30-hour endorsement course; endorsement exam on Illinois law) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — 30-Hour Real Estate Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course Curriculum (12-10-2024) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (60 hours topics + 15 hours applied) ↗ (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]