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Managing Broker in Washington

How to qualify for the Washington managing broker exam in 2026 — three years of broker experience plus 90 hours of approved education.

To become a Washington managing broker you must have at least three years of full-time licensed experience as a real estate broker within the previous five years, complete 90 clock hours of approved education — 30 hours each of real estate brokerage management, business management and advanced real estate law — and pass both portions of the Washington managing broker examination with a minimum scaled score of 75 on each. The 75 is higher than the 70 required for the broker examination.

  • A Washington managing broker applicant must have at least three years of licensed experience as a full-time real estate broker within the five years before applying for the managing broker examination, or qualify through allied practical experience prescribed by rule. RCW 18.85.111(1)(c)
  • A Washington managing broker applicant must complete 90 clock hours of approved instruction covering real estate brokerage management, business management, and advanced real estate law. RCW 18.85.111(1)(d)
  • Each of those courses must be at least 30 clock hours long and include a comprehensive examination. WAC 308-124A-750(1)
  • The 90 clock hours are required in addition to any other clock hours already completed to satisfy Washington real estate licensing requirements. WAC 308-124A-750(1)
  • The courses must be completed within the three years before applying for the Washington managing broker examination. RCW 18.85.111(1)(d)
  • Passing the Washington managing broker examination requires a minimum scaled score of 75 on each portion. WAC 308-124A-760(2)
  • On the national portion, a candidate must reach a scaled score of 75 on each aspect — information gathering and decision making — to pass that portion. WAC 308-124A-760(2)(a)
  • A passing score on one portion of the Washington managing broker examination is valid for six months. WAC 308-124A-760(3)

Last verified against the Revised Code of Washington and the Washington Administrative Code. Requirements are set by the Washington State Department of Licensing and can change — confirm anything time-sensitive with the DOL.

What education is required?

To qualify for the state exam, you complete 90 hours of approved education:

  • 30 Brokerage Management
  • 30 Business Management
  • 30 Advanced Real Estate Law
Total: 90 clock hours

Plus three years of full-time experience as an active broker within the last five years (or a qualifying alternative).

Most popular managing broker package

Managing Broker Platinum Package

$329.00
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Qualifying for the managing broker exam

Becoming a managing broker takes both experience and education: three years of full-time work as an active broker within the last five years, plus 90 hours split evenly across brokerage management, business management, and advanced real estate law. Each of those three courses has to be at least 30 clock hours and carry a comprehensive examination, and all of them must have been completed within the three years before you apply for the managing broker exam. The exam itself is scored higher than the broker exam: you need a minimum scaled score of 75 on each portion, not 70. Our most popular managing broker package bundles all 90 required hours and gives you the tools to study for the exam.

Frequently asked questions

Who needs to complete the managing broker courses?
Any Washington broker who wants to become a managing broker. These are the courses the Department of Licensing requires to qualify for the managing broker exam — they are not for current managing brokers, who only need the standard 30 hours of continuing education. To become a managing broker you must also have three years of full-time experience as an active broker within the last five years (or qualify under one of the alternative experience paths).
What are the education requirements to become a managing broker?
To qualify for the state exam you complete 90 hours of approved education: 30 hours of brokerage management, 30 hours of business management, and 30 hours of advanced real estate law.
How long do I have to take the exam after completing the education?
You must pass the Washington managing broker exam within 3 years of completing your required 90 clock hours of education.
What's on the Washington managing broker exam?
The managing broker exam has two parts: a Washington state portion that tests your knowledge of state law, and a national portion that tests general real estate concepts.
What is the exam format and length?
Both portions are multiple choice and administered by PSI. The Washington state section is 44 questions with 1.5 hours to complete it; the national section is 90 questions with 2.5 hours — about 4 hours of testing in total. Some questions are scenario-based and weighted by the quality of the answer: the worst option earns 0 points, a better answer 1 point, and the best answer 2 points. You'll learn how you did as soon as you finish.
What score do I need to pass the managing broker exam?
A minimum scaled score of 75 on each portion — higher than the 70 required for the broker exam. That is a scaled score, not a raw percentage. On the national portion the state scores two aspects separately, information gathering and decision making, and you need 75 on each of them to pass that portion.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes, and there is currently no limit on attempts. Retaking it many times would be expensive and time-consuming, but the state does not cap the number of tries.
What if I pass one portion but fail the other?
If you pass one portion (state or national), you don't retake it — you only retake the portion you failed. But you must pass both portions within 6 months of each other; otherwise you have to take both again. Your exam fee is the same whether you sit for one portion or both.
Can I use my managing broker education toward my license renewal?
The 90 hours that qualify you for the managing broker exam are separate from your continuing education. You're considered renewed when you submit all required fees and documentation to the Department of Licensing — online, or by mail (the postmark date counts).
Do I need to send proof of course completion to the state?
No, but print your certificates and keep the records. The Department of Licensing randomly audits brokers to verify compliance.
Does Realestateschool.org keep my certificates if I lose them?
Absolutely. We keep track of all the education you complete with us — log in to print your certificates any time, or call our office if you lose your copies.
Is my education tax-deductible?
Most often, yes. Check with a tax professional about your specific situation to be sure.
What if I took more hours than I needed?
For continuing education, you can carry up to 15 unused clock hours into your next renewal, provided they were completed within 48 months (4 years) of that renewal. As a practical matter, credit is issued per completed course, so you generally can't split a single course's hours across two renewals.

Related Washington requirements

Getting a License

The 90-hour pre-license path and the PSI broker exam, step by step.

First Renewal

The 90 clock hours new brokers need before their first 2-year renewal.

Continuing Education

30 hours every renewal — Core, Fair Housing and your electives.

License Information

Fees, timelines and the full Washington licensing overview.

Free Practice Exam

Exam-style questions with instant scoring by topic — no sign-up required.

Free Tools & Calculators

License cost calculator, renewal deadline tracker, course finder and more.

All Washington Courses

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