Bulleted List: What Is a Broker Pre-License Course?

A real estate agent is any licensed real estate professional representing a buyer or seller in a sales transaction for a commission. All brokers are agents, but not all agents are brokers.  Take a look at some quick facts about brokers.

• In most states, the beginning real estate license is salesperson or sales agent. After a few years, you’re eligible to earn a broker license.

• In some states, like Washington, there’re no salespeople, only brokers, managing brokers, and designated brokers. Read here about the difference between a salesperson and a broker.

• To earn a real estate license, you complete a pre-license course, pass a state licensing exam, submit an application, and find an established real estate professional to sponsor you.

• To earn a broker, or managing broker license in Washington, you must be practicing agent for a few years and then complete the broker pre-license course and pass the exam.

• In Washington, broker license applicants complete 90 hours of real estate education, including:

• A 60-hour course in Real Estate Fundamentals
• A 30-hour course in Real Estate Practices

• In Washington, managing broker license applicants have 3 years of full-time experience as an active real estate broker and complete 90 hours of real estate education, including:

• 30 hours of brokerage management
• 30 hours of business management
• 30 hours of advanced real estate law

• For a designated broker's endorsement, you must have a:

• Managing broker license
• Controlling interest in each firm for which you're a designated broker

• Designated brokers can start their own brokerage firms and hire salespeople. They create a policy manual, supervise agents, lead meetings, and review forms and advertising.