How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington DC

In order to kickstart your real estate career in Washington DC, it’s essential to obtain a Washington DC Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.

For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Washington DC article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.

Washington DC Real Estate License

In order to get your Washington DC real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing the Washington DC Real Estate Exam
4. Affiliating with a Licensed Broker
5. Submitting a License Application

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Meet the Washington DC Real Estate License Requirements

Before continuing ahead with your application for a Washington DC real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:

• Be able to read, write, and understand the English language effectively
• Have completed high school or hold a high school equivalency certificate
• Not have any real estate license suspended or real estate application denied within the year prior to application (except in cases where the only issue was failing the required examination)

Note: Keep in mind that the licensing process is overseen by the DC Real Estate Commission, which operates under the District of Columbia’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Washington DC real estate license.

In particular, you’ll be expected to complete at least 60 hours of pre-licensing education, which must include:

• Fair Housing Course: You’ll need to complete a 3-hour Commission-approved fair housing course, which covers the essential aspects of fair housing principles and their application in the real estate sector
• Property Management Course: You’ll need to complete a 3-hour DCREC-approved course on property management, which is designed to equip you with the skills necessary for maintaining properties, managing tenant issues, and adhering to relevant laws and regulations

These courses conclude with a final exam, which you’ll need to achieve a minimum score of 75% on in order to receive your course completion certificate. Once you’re given this certificate, be sure to look after it, as you’ll need it when scheduling your state licensing examination (see Step 3).

Step 3: Pass the Washington DC Real Estate Exam

The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Washington DC Real Estate exam, which is administered by PSI.

The examination is structured into two distinct sections, which can be taken individually or combined as a single exam:

• Salesperson General Portion: This section is made up of 80 scored questions, which you’ll have 120 minutes to complete. It evaluates your understanding of general real estate principles and national laws applicable across various states — covering topics like property ownership, basic real estate transactions, real estate law, financing, and real estate brokerage operations
• State Portion: This portion consists of 30 scored questions and lasts 90 minutes. It specifically tests your knowledge of Washington DC’s specific real estate laws and regulations, including local practices, state-specific legal issues (such as taxes and zoning), and the particular responsibilities and requirements for real estate professionals in the district

Regardless of the format you choose, you’ll need to achieve a minimum score of at least 75% in each of these sections to pass.

In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation. Alternatively, you can also schedule your exam by calling PSI directly at (855) 557-0616.

The examination fee is $69 and must be paid at the time of booking — test centers do not handle payments.

If you end up failing one of the exam’s portions, you’ll be required to retake it and successfully pass within a six-month window from your initial attempt. If you cannot do so, you’ll instead be required to retake both sections of the exam.

Step 4: Affiliate with a Licensed Broker

In order for your license to be issued in Washington DC, you will need to be affiliated with a licensed broker. This ensures that you receive the necessary guidance and oversight as you begin to practice real estate.

When choosing a licensed broker, it’s important to select someone whose professional goals and practices align with your own.

Be sure to consider their local and national reputation, the type of agents they seek, and their commission split — all are critical factors when trying to find a match that best aligns with your career goals.

Once you find the right broker, they will need to sign off on the relevant section of your license application, attesting their commitment to mentor you and oversee your activities in the field.

Step 5: Submit a License Application

After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move on to submitting your license application. This can be done online through the District of Columbia Regulatory Authority (DCRA) portal.

You will need to create an account, choose the salesperson license option, fill out the required details, attach your exam results, and pay two fees: a $65 application fee and a $130 salesperson license fee.

Note: If you encounter any issues or need further assistance during the application process, you may contact the District of Columbia Office of Professional Licensing Administration (DCOPLA) Customer Service at (202) 442-4320.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you should receive communication from the DC Department of Business and Professional Regulation within ten business days.

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Note: If you’re not sure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than expected, you can contact the Washington DC Department of Business and Professional Regulation directly by phone or email.

Washington DC Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every two years.

During that two-year cycle, you will need to complete 15 hours of continuing education on topics approved by the DC Real Estate Commission — this is necessary to keep your license in active status.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

When you are ready to renew your license, you’ll need to submit an application for the renewal of an occupational or professional license through the DCRA portal and pay a $130 renewal fee.

District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

Mailing Address: 

Washington DC Real Estate Commission
1100 4^th Street, SW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20024

Phone: (202) 442-4320

Email: opla.realestate@dc.gov

Website: https://www.dcopla.com/realestate/