Property Management Laws in Washington

Must Washington property management companies have a real estate broker's license?

YES. Property management is expressly considered a real estate brokerage activity under existing Washington real estate licensing laws. If a property manager is going to perform property management services (including marketing, leasing, renting; the physical, administrative, or financial maintenance of real property; or the supervision of such actions) for compensation, he or she will need a broker's license. A Washington broker must be working under a managing broker to engage in such activities.

Are there any exceptions to the requirement that a Washington property manager hold a real estate broker's license?

YES. For example, any person employed by a managing broker if the person is limited in property management to any of the following activities:

• Delivering a lease application, a lease, or any amendment thereof to any person;
• Receiving a lease application, lease, or amendment thereof, a security deposit, rental payment, or any related payment for delivery to and made payable to the real estate firm or owner;
• Showing a rental unit to any person, or executing leases or rental agreements, and the employee or retainee is acting under the direct instruction of the owner or designated or managing broker
• Providing information about a rental unit, a lease, an application for lease, or a security deposit and rental amounts to any prospective tenant; or
• Assisting in the performance of property management functions by carrying out administrative, clerical, financial, or maintenance tasks.

For more information about these and other Washington property management requirements and exceptions, please contact the Washington Real Estate Commission.

Before hiring a property manager to manage your Washington rental property, you should always check that he or she is licensed appropriately. You can check the license status of Washington property managers using the Washington Business and Professional License Search Tool.

Washington Community Association Management Licensing

There is no requirement that a community association manager in Washington hold a real estate broker's license. Common interest community managers are specifically exempt from licensure as a real estate broker as of June 7, 2012, unless they promote the purchase, exchange, optioning, leasing, renting of a specific real property interest.

Washington Managing Broker Licensing Requirements

Washington managing broker licensing requirements include:

• Age: must be at least 18 years old
• High School: must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Experience: must have had a minimum of three years of actual experience as a full-time real estate broker within the past five years
• Education: must furnish proof of successful completion of 90 hours of specified instruction in real estate, specified by the Director of the Real Estate Commission; courses must be completed within 3 years of applying for the broker's exam
• Exam: must pass the managing broker's license exam

Washington Real Estate Broker Licensing Requirements

Washington real estate broker licensing requirements include:

• Age: must be at least 18 years old
• High School: must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Education: must furnish proof of successful completion of 90 hours of instruction in real estate, specified by the Director of the Real Estate Commission; courses must be completed within 2 years of applying for the broker's exam
• Exam: must pass the broker's license exam

For more information about these and other licensing requirements and exceptions, please contact the Washington Real Estate Commission. Specific information about licensing for brokers and managing brokers is available online.