Real Estate Agent Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or have employees. Free from the IRS. Even sole proprietors may benefit from obtaining an EIN to keep business and personal finances separate.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Washington State Department of Licensing — Real Estate Broker License

   Washington calls its entry-level real estate license a Broker license. Applicants must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the Washington Real Estate Broker Exam (administered by PSI), and apply to the Washington State Department of Licensing. Must affiliate with a licensed designated broker.

   Official government source

   $210 (exam fee) + $233 (original license fee, incl. $20 research fee) + $300–$600 (pre-licensing education)·4–12 weeks

   $210 (exam fee) + $233 (original license fee, incl. $20 research fee) + $300–$600 (pre-licensing education)

   4–12 weeks

2. Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

   Washington does not require real estate brokers to carry Errors & Omissions insurance as a condition of licensure — the Department of Licensing lists no E&O requirement for brokers or managing brokers. However, most Washington brokerages require agents to carry E&O coverage by contract, typically at $100,000 or more per occurrence.

   Official government source

   $300–$800/year·1–5 business days

   $300–$800/year

   1–5 business days

1. City of Seattle — Business License Tax Certificate (if operating a brokerage)

   Individual real estate brokers in Seattle are licensed at the state level by the Washington Department of Licensing. If you operate an independent brokerage, you also need a Seattle Business License Tax Certificate from Seattle License and Tax Administration, applied for through FileLocal. The certificate is required regardless of revenue. Seattle B&O tax is owed only above $2,000,000 in annual Seattle taxable gross revenue (threshold raised from $100,000 effective January 1, 2026, with a new $2,000,000 standard deduction), but you must still file and report gross revenue each year. Businesses with $4,000 or less of Seattle revenue and no place of business in the city are exempt from the certificate requirement as of 2026.

   Official government source

   2026 annual fee by Seattle taxable revenue: $73 (under $20,000), $147 ($20,000-$499,999), $667 ($500,000-$1,999,999), $1,604 ($2,000,000-$4,999,999), $3,210 ($5,000,000 or more), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses starting July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·Filed online through FileLocal the certificate is usually printable within 2-3 business days; by mail it takes one to six weeks. All certificates expire Dec. 31 and must be renewed annually.

   2026 annual fee by Seattle taxable revenue: $73 (under $20,000), $147 ($20,000-$499,999), $667 ($500,000-$1,999,999), $1,604 ($2,000,000-$4,999,999), $3,210 ($5,000,000 or more), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses starting July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   Filed online through FileLocal the certificate is usually printable within 2-3 business days; by mail it takes one to six weeks. All certificates expire Dec. 31 and must be renewed annually.

Official Sources

• Seattle Business License Tax
• Washington DOL — Real Estate Broker

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