Learn the requirements and how to get an assumed name endorsement for your real estate firm.
Who needs a license?
If your firm uses assumed names, you must have an assumed name endorsement attached to your firm license. Firm branches may use the names associated with their firm.
How to apply
1. Name requirements
An assumed name for a real estate firm must:
- Be authorized by the designated broker
- Have the same Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number as the firm
- Be different than assumed names used by other licensed real estate firms
- Not imply the firm is a public agency or a government, nonprofit, or research organization
2. Check name availability
Before submitting your name change application, check if the name you want is available. The request must be submitted by the firm’s Designated Broker.
Get your firm name approved by emailing Real Estate Regulatory or faxing a brief cover letter with:
- Your name
- Current firm name and license number
- Contact information
- Desired assumed name
- Your firm's doing business as (DBA) names
You'll receive a reply within 5-7 business days.
3. Register with Department of Revenue (DOR)
- Register your business license with DOR after getting the approval for the DBA and/or assumed name(s). Call the Business License Service at 1-800-451-7985 or visit the DOR website.
- After you have updated your business license, the additional names will be listed as “Trade Names” on the license.
- You must have a copy of the updated business license to include with the Assumed Name Application you submit to DOL.
4. Submit your application
You can submit your application online or by mail.
Submit your application online
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW)
Don't have a SAW account? Learn how to create a SAW account.
Submit your application by mail
Mail a completed Real Estate Firm Assumed Name Application form and a check or money order (payable to the Department of Licensing) for the name change fee:
Real Estate Licensing
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Olympia, WA 98507-3856
Assumed name license renewal
Assumed name licenses expire and are renewed with your firm license.