How to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in District of Columbia
District of Columbia licenses real estate agents statewide through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).1 For the Real Estate Salesperson license you need at least 60 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the Real Estate Salesperson examination (national and DC portions)1 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $65 for the application3. You renew every 2 years4 and complete at least 15 hours of continuing education4.
Who issues it
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
Training and experience
Training: at least 60 clock hours1
Exam
Real Estate Salesperson examination (national and DC portions)1
Fees the board lists
Application fee: $653
On this page
- District of Columbia real estate agent licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Real Estate Salesperson license
- Requirements for a Real Estate Salesperson license
- How much a Real Estate Salesperson license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to District of Columbia with a license from another state
- Associate Broker
- Real Estate Broker
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Real estate agent licenses in other states
District of Columbia real estate agent licenses
District of Columbia issues 3 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Training or experience | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Broker | An associate real estate broker holds a broker license but is employed by a broker or brokerage and is not a partner, officer or principal broker of the licensed entity.6 | Training 135 clock hours1 Experience 2 years7 | Yes7 | $653 |
| Real Estate Salesperson | A salesperson works under the supervision of a DC-licensed real estate broker, who is responsible for their day-to-day activities.8 | Training 60 clock hours1 | Yes9 | $653 |
| Real Estate Broker | A real estate broker may be held responsible for the day-to-day supervision of affiliated salespersons, associate brokers and property managers; the applicant must first meet every salesperson requirement.8 | Training 135 clock hours1 Experience 2 years7 | Yes7 | $653 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the District of Columbia real estate agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
1. Every license level (all 3)
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old2
- High school diploma or GED
- Required2
- Background check
- Background check required2
No conviction for an offense bearing directly on fitness to be licensed; no real estate license denied (other than for exam failure) in the past year or revoked in the past three years.2 - Also required
- Must be able to read, write and understand English.2
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $653 | DLCP | All applicants. Not refundable |
| Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund | $601 | DLCP | Per two-year license ($30.00 for one year) under 17 DCMR 3500.2(m) |
| Duplicate or replacement license | $301 | DLCP | – |
| License verification to another state | $301 | DLCP | – |
| Transfer/License Exchange/Status change | $301 | DLCP | – |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI1, when you schedule.
How to apply
- Apply online
- govservices.dcra.dc.gov1
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years4
- Continuing education
- At least 15 hours each renewal period4
- Approved courses
- Only Commission-approved programs count.4
- Exemptions
- CE rule does not apply to the first renewal of a license granted by examination.4
CE completed for an equivalent license in another jurisdiction may, at the Commission's discretion, substitute for the general elective hours.4 - Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $503 (renewal within 60 days after expiration)
- If it expires
- Renewal is possible within 60 days after expiration with the late fee (and proof of CE); after 60 days the license lapses and reinstatement is required.10
An expired license cannot be reinstated more than 5 years after expiry; the person must then qualify as a new applicant.11
Inactive status may last no more than 5 consecutive years.12 - Renew online
- govservices.dcra.dc.gov1
2. Every license level except Real Estate Salesperson
Requirements
- Experience
- At least 2 years7
Licensed and actively engaged as a real estate broker or salesperson (DC or elsewhere) for the 2 years immediately before applying, or equivalent experience acceptable to the Commission.7
License you must hold first: Must meet all salesperson licensing requirements.7
Substitute: Equivalent experience: two continuous years in the real estate business before licensure with six verified transactions per year as a builder, investor, developer, attorney or in a related occupation (e.g. loan/trust officer, title officer, appraiser) working at least 1,920 hours per year.7
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1703 | DLCP |
How to apply
- Build 2 years of active licensed experience as a salesperson or broker (or documented equivalent experience).1
- Complete 135 hours of Commission-approved broker pre-licensing education.1
- Pass the national and DC portions of the broker exam with PSI (score of at least 75).1
- Within 6 months of passing, apply online through DLCP with photo, ID and fees.1 govservices.dcra.dc.gov1
Renewal
- When it expires
- Broker and associate broker licenses run on a two-year cycle beginning March 1 of odd-numbered years and expire February 28 of odd-numbered years.13
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Brokers licensed elsewhere whose pre-licensing education meets or exceeds DC's 135 hours, with 2 years' licensed salesperson experience, can be licensed by endorsement after passing the DC portion of the broker exam and completing the 3-hour DC Fair Housing and 3-hour Property Management courses.1
- Conditions
- 3-hour DC Fair Housing and 3-hour Property Management courses.1
Original certification letter dated within 90 days with official seal.1
DC rule for waiver/reciprocity broker applicants: pass the DC Real Estate Law Examination.7 - Fee
- $651
Who needs a Real Estate Salesperson license
A salesperson works under the supervision of a DC-licensed real estate broker, who is responsible for their day-to-day activities.8
Work that does not need this license:
- Exempt from licensing under D.C. Code § 47-2853.181 include owners or lessors acting on their own property, court-appointed fiduciaries and attorneys in ordinary practice, and purely clerical employees, among others.14
- A person who, for a fee, only identifies or gives information about rental units available for rent is exempt.14
Requirements for a Real Estate Salesperson license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.
- Education or training
- At least 60 clock hours1
Commission-approved pre-licensing course in real estate principles and practices (30 listed subject areas, including DC fair housing, ethics, licensing law and property management).1
Who may teach it: Course must come from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider; Commission-approved distance learning is allowed.1 - Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson examination (national and DC portions)1
Given by: PSI1
Passing score: At least 75 percent15
National portion1
DC (state) portion1
Time limit: Apply for the license within 6 months of passing, or retake the exam.15 - Business requirements
- Must be supervised by a DC-licensed real estate broker.8
- Also required
- Application needs a 2x2 passport-style photo, unexpired government ID and a debit/credit card.1
How much a Real Estate Salesperson license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive Status – Salesperson | $1303 | DLCP |
How to apply
- Complete the 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing course with a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider.1
- Schedule and pass both the national and DC portions of the salesperson exam with PSI (online at psiexams.com or by phone), scoring at least 75 percent.1
- Within 6 months of passing, apply online through DLCP with a passport-style photo, government ID and card payment ($65 application fee plus license and Guaranty Fund fees).1 govservices.dcra.dc.gov1
Renewal and continuing education
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your District of Columbia Real Estate Salesperson license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to District of Columbia with a license from another state
These are the routes DLCP publishes for the Real Estate Salesperson license.
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Licensed salespersons from other jurisdictions can be licensed by endorsement if their pre-licensing education meets or exceeds DC's 60 hours: pass the DC portion of the salesperson exam (75 percent), complete 3-hour DC Fair Housing and 3-hour Property Management courses, and submit an original certification letter dated within 90 days.1
- Conditions
- 3-hour DC Fair Housing course and 3-hour Property Management course approved by the Commission.1
Original certification letter from the licensing jurisdiction, dated within 90 days, with official seal.1
DC rule: waiver/reciprocity applicants pass the DC Real Estate Law Examination and complete approved DC Fair Housing and property management courses.15 - Fee
- $651
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- License by reciprocity is available where the applicant's license is in good standing, came from a jurisdiction whose standards were at least as high as DC's, and that jurisdiction admits DC licensees in the same manner; the DC portion of the exam and the Fair Housing and Property Management courses are still required.5
- States on District of Columbia's list
- The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
Associate Broker
An associate real estate broker holds a broker license but is employed by a broker or brokerage and is not a partner, officer or principal broker of the licensed entity.6
Requirements
- Business requirements
- Works under the supervision of a DC real estate broker.8
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive Status – Associate Broker | $2101 | DLCP |
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
Real Estate Broker
A real estate broker may be held responsible for the day-to-day supervision of affiliated salespersons, associate brokers and property managers; the applicant must first meet every salesperson requirement.8
Requirements
- Business requirements
- A broker license may also be issued to a firm, partnership or corporation that is properly organized, whose regulated people are all licensed, and whose DC branch offices are each managed by a broker; the entity needs DC registration and a Certificate of Good Standing.1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive Status – Real Estate Broker | $2101 | DLCP |
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
City and county rules
Associate BrokerOne District-wide license issued through the DC Real Estate Commission at DLCP.1
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a real estate agent in District of Columbia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in District of Columbia is on the District of Columbia license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- govservices.dcra.dc.gov1
- File a complaint
- dcra.kustomer.help1
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in District of Columbia?
The rules set at least 60 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Can I transfer my real estate agent license to District of Columbia?
DLCP publishes these routes for the Real Estate Salesperson license: license by endorsement1 and reciprocity agreements5. Conditions and forms.
Real estate agent licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Real Estate Commission | dlcpDepartment of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 6, 2026
- 17-2610 DCMR LICENSE REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL APPLICANTSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-3500 DCMR FEESOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated May 17, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2605 DCMR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERS, PROPERTY MANAGERS, AND SALESPERSONSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated December 25, 2020Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2611 DCMR LICENSURE BY WAIVER OR RECIPROCITYOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2699 DCMR DEFINITIONSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated August 13, 2010Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2601 DCMR LICENSURE OF REAL ESTATE BROKERSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated December 25, 2020Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2614 DCMR SUPERVISIONOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026
- D.C. Code § 47-2853.172Council of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 6, 2026
- 17-2621 DCMR RENEWAL OF A LICENSEOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2622 DCMR REINSTATEMENT OF AN EXPIRED LICENSEOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated April 19, 2013Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2612 DCMR INACTIVE STATUSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2620 DCMR TERM OF A LICENSEOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026
- D.C. Code § 47-2853.181Council of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 6, 2026
- 17-2602 DCMR LICENSURE OF REAL ESTATE SALESPERSONSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated December 25, 2020Checked November 6, 2026