As you may recall, in 2019 the Department of Licensing (DOL) proposed a general real estate fee increase to take effect in the fall of 2020. Those increases were delayed in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the DOL is resuming the effort to increase these fees in order to bring the Real Estate Account into good standing. In accordance with RCW 43.24.086, DOL is required to set real estate fees “at a sufficient level to defray the costs of administering that program.”
These fees have not been changed since 2010 and are insufficient to sustain the real estate program. The DOL has determined the proposed fee increases below are necessary to continue to provide the information technology systems, staffing levels, and other critical services needed to support licensees and maintain public safety. Below is a table that outlines the complete list of proposed fee increases for the real estate program and the amount these fees will be raised.
The DOL intends to have the new fees in place by late summer 2021.
If you have questions or would like to share any concerns, please email Ellis Starrett, Rules and Policy Manager, at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.
| License Type | Fee Type | Current Fee | Increased By |
| Real Estate Broker | Application/examination | $138.25 | $71.75 |
| Reexamination | $138.25 | $71.75 | |
| Original License | $146.25 | $76.75 | |
| License Renewal | $146.25 | $76.75 | |
| Late Renewal with Penalty | $172.75 | $90.25 | |
| Duplicate License Print Fee | $26.50 | ($5.00) | |
| Certification | $26.50 | $13.50 | |
| Real Estate Managing Broker | Application/examination | $138.25 | $71.75 |
| Reexamination | $138.25 | $71.75 | |
| Original License | $210.00 | $110.00 | |
| License Renewal | $210.00 | $110.00 | |
| Late Renewal with Penalty | $236.50 | $123.50 | |
| Duplicate License Print Fee | $26.50 | ($5.00) | |
| Certification | $26.50 | $13.50 | |
| Real Estate Firm and Assumed Name License | Original License | $200.00 | $104.00 |
| License Renewal | $200.00 | $104.00 | |
| Late Renewal with Penalty | $226.50 | $118.50 | |
| Duplicate License Print Fee | $26.50 | ($5.00) | |
| Certification | $26.50 | $13.50 | |
| Real Estate Branch | Original License | $189.50 | $98.50 |
| License Renewal | $189.50 | $98.50 | |
| Late Renewal with Penalty | $216.50 | $112.50 | |
| Certification | $26.50 | $13.50 | |
| Duplicate License Print Fee | $26.50 | ($5.00) | |
| Real Estate Education | Core Course Approval (minimum fee) | $50 | $26.00 |
| Core Course Approval (per clock hour) | $5 | $2.60 | |
| Non-Core Continuing Education Course Approval (minimum fee) | $100 | $52.00 | |
| Non-Core Continuing Education Course Approval (per clock hour) | $10 | $5.20 | |
| Pre- and Post-Licensing Mandated Course Approval | $300 | $156.00 | |
| School Application and Renewal | $250 | $130.00 | |
| Instructor Approval to Teach Specific Course Once | $50 | $26.00 | |
| Instructor and Topics Approval – Initial Application and Renewal | $75 | $39.00 | |
| Add Topics to Current Instructor Approval | $25 | $13.00 |
*Fees in red will decrease to $5 for the duplicate license print fees, as a result of system efficiencies.