Learn how to renew or reinstate your real estate broker license.
When to renew your license
- You must renew your license every 2 years. The date your first license is issued determines your future renewal dates. Your renewal dates will be every 2 years from your issue date.
- Example: If your initial license was issued on 12/1/25, your renewal dates are 12/1/27, 12/1/29, 12/1/31, 12/1/33, etc.
- Renewing your license late does not change your renewal dates. If you renew late, your license will only be valid until your next scheduled renewal date.
- Example: If your first license was issued on 12/1/2025 and your next renewal date is 12/1/2027, your renewal date after that is 12/1/2029. If you forgot to renew on 12/1/2027, but remembered and renewed on 7/1/2028, your license is valid only until your next renewal on 12/1/2029.
- You can renew up to 120 days before your license expires.
- You must renew your fingerprint-based background check results every 6 years.
You'll get separate emails for license and fingerprint renewal notices. Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to make sure we have your current email address on file. You can also see reminders under the "Your To-Do's" section in SAW.
Renewal requirements
Meet the requirements below and update your contact information online, if necessary, before you renew your license.
Continuing education requirements
Before you complete the renewal, you must certify online that you have completed all the required continuing education. Visit our Course Search page for a list of approved real estate education courses.
You don’t need to upload proof of your education unless your renewal notice states you have been randomly chosen for audit.
First active license renewal
The first time you renew an active license, you must take continuing education courses required by law:
- You must complete at least 90 hours of continuing education, including:
- 30-hour Advanced Practices Course
- 30-hour Real Estate Law Course
- 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
- At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education
- You must start these hours after the date you're first licensed.
- If you haven't taken the initial 6-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course, you must take it first.
- Once you've taken the initial 6-hour course, you must take the 3-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course each time you renew.
Future active license renewals
After your first renewal, you must take continuing education courses required by law each time you renew an active license:
- You must complete at least 30 hours, including:
- 3-hour Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate Course
- At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education
- You must complete at least 15 hours within 24 months of your renewal date.
- You may also use up to 15 hours of continuing education that you've completed within 48 months of your renewal date, as long as you haven't used those hours to qualify for a previous renewal.
- If you haven't taken the initial 6-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course, you must take it first.
- Once you've taken the initial 6-hour course, you must take the 3-hour Washington Real Estate Fair Housing course each time you renew.
Inactive licenses
You are not required to complete continuing education to maintain an inactive license. However, you must submit a renewal application every 2 years and keep your fingerprint-based background check up-to-date to avoid cancellation of your license.
Contact us if you are ready to reactivate your license. We will help determine what steps you need to take, and you may be required to take continuing education courses.
Fingerprint requirements
If your fingerprint results have expired, you must submit a new background check.
- If you live in Washington, schedule a fingerprint appointment through IdentoGO.
- If you live out of state, see how to submit your fingerprints from outside Washington.
Results take 14 business days to appear in our system. Read about fees and more information on fingerprinting.
How to renew your license
Follow these steps to renew your license.
Renew your license online
You'll receive your license faster by applying and paying your renewal fee online.
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW)
Don't have a SAW account? Learn how to create a SAW account.
Tip: If you don't see the renewal button after you log in, your fingerprints may have expired. If your fingerprint results have expired, a reminder will appear under the Your To-Do's section in SAW. When your results are current, the renewal button and reminder will appear. If your fingerprint-based background check is current and you still don't see the renewal option, please contact us.
Renew your license by mail
To renew your license by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal notice. If you did not receive a renewal notice, complete a Real Estate License Renewal form.
Mail your form and a check or money order for the renewal fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:
Real Estate Licensing
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856
It will take a minimum of 21 days from the date you mail to process your renewal.
Reinstate your license
- You can reinstate your license if it has been canceled for less than 2 years
- If your license expired more than 3 years ago, you must apply for a new license
You have one year from the date your license was issued to renew your license. If you don’t renew by then, your license will remain in a canceled status for 2 years. If you don’t get it reinstated within those 2 years, your license is cancelled permanently, and you must start the licensing process again.
Renewal/reinstatement timeline
- Issue date
Example: 12/1/15- After you get your license, you are licensed for 2 years. You can renew your license up to 120 days before your renewal date.
- Renewal date
Example: 12/1/17- You must renew your license by your renewal date, or it will expire. You have 1 year to renew before your license is cancelled.
- Cancellation date
Example: 12/1/18- If you haven’t renewed your license by this date, your license goes into a canceled state. It will remain here for up to 2 years. You must pay a $40 late fee, a $100 reinstatement fee, and all previous renewal fees to get your license reinstated during this period.
- Expiration date
Example 12/1/20- If you haven’t renewed your license by this date, your license is permanently cancelled. You must start the licensing process over to get a new real estate license.
Reinstatement requirements
Reinstatement requirements are different depending on how long your license has been expired. Confirm you can reinstate your license by emailing us at realestate@dol.wa.gov with your full name and previous license number. We will email you instructions and the amount of your reinstatement fee.
Continuing education requirements
You must complete coursework within 1 year before applying for reinstatement. This includes:
- Complete 60 clock hours of approved real estate coursework. 30 of the 60 clock hours must include the Real Estate Law course. The Advanced Law Course does not substitute and is a different course.
- Visit our Course Search page for a list of approved continuing education courses.
You must also pay your license fees and penalties before applying for reinstatement. Contact us to make sure you have the correct amount. Paying the incorrect amount may delay your license.
How to reinstate your license
If you have been confirmed for reinstatement, follow these steps to reinstate your cancelled license:
Reinstate your license online
We'll reinstate your license faster when you apply and pay online.
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW)
Don't have a SAW account? Learn how to create a SAW account.
Reinstate your license by mail
Mail a completed Real Estate License Renewal form, a check or money order (payable to the Department of Licensing) for the quoted reinstatement fee, and a copy of the email you received from us to:
Real Estate Licensing
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856
Print your license
Get your license online
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to print your license at any time.
Get your license by mail
Licenses are no longer mailed unless you request one by paying the license print fee online. Paper licenses no longer include the card size license.
Get your license by email
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to have a copy of your license emailed to you at any time. It can take up to 24 hours for your license to be emailed to you. Not in your inbox? Look in your spam/junk folder. If you haven't received it after 24 hours, email us.