StateLicensed

Real Estate Agent License Requirements in District of Columbia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
60 hrs
Upfront cost
$256.5
Exam
DC Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National + DC portions)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
District of Columbia Real Estate Commission, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma or GED, plus the 60-hour pre-licensing course., pass a criminal background check. Applicants must submit a full set of fingerprints (electronic/digital or hard copy) for state and national criminal history background checks; the applicant bears the fingerprinting/background-check processing cost. Applicants must be sponsored by an active DC-licensed broker and submit written acceptance from that sponsoring broker with the notarized license application. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 60 hours of training at a state-approved program. 60 hours of DC Real Estate Commission-approved salesperson pre-licensing education. Endorsement (reciprocal) applicants must show their home-jurisdiction education met or exceeded this 60-hour requirement rather than retaking it. [1]

  3. 3

    DC Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National + DC portions)

    Pass the DC Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National + DC portions) (fee: $61.5). Computer-based; 110 questions total (80 national, 30 DC state) Fee is non-refundable and charged per attempt regardless of whether one or both portions are taken. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to District of Columbia Real Estate Commission, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) with the $65 application fee. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, District of Columbia Real Estate Commission, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) issues your Real Estate Salesperson License for District of Columbia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $65
License fee [1] $130
Renewal fee [1] $130
DC Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National + DC portions) [2] $61.5
Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund fee [1] $60

The $60 Guaranty and Education Fund fee is included/collected alongside the $130 salesperson license fee per DLCP's fee schedule.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 15 continuing education hours required per cycle.

All DC salesperson licenses share a fixed statewide 2-year cycle expiring August 31 of odd-numbered years. The 2023-2025 cycle requires 15 hours of continuing education: 9 mandatory hours (DC Fair Housing, DC Ethics, DC Legislative Update) plus 3 hours Property Management and 3 elective hours. A $50 late-renewal fee applies after expiration.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers real estate licensing. DC offers licensure by endorsement to salespersons/brokers actively licensed elsewhere who meet or exceed DC's 60-hour pre-licensing requirement: they must pass the DC portion of the exam, complete DC-specific coursework (Fair Housing and Property Management), and submit an original letter of license certification from their home jurisdiction (dated within 90 days, bearing an official seal).

Cost calculator

  • $65
  • $130
  • $61.5
Total$256.5

Frequently asked questions

How many pre-licensing hours does DC require for a real estate salesperson license?

60 hours of DC Real Estate Commission-approved coursework.

Who administers DC's real estate salesperson exam and what does it cost?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with DLCP. The exam fee is $61.50 per attempt, whether one or both portions (national/DC) are taken.

Do I need a sponsoring broker to get a DC salesperson license?

Yes. Applicants must be sponsored by an active DC-licensed broker and submit that broker's written acceptance with the application.

How often do DC real estate licenses renew, and how much CE is required?

Every 2 years, on a fixed cycle ending August 31 of odd-numbered years, with 15 hours of continuing education (9 mandatory + 3 property management + 3 elective for the 2023-2025 cycle).

Can an out-of-state real estate licensee get a DC license by endorsement?

Yes, if their pre-licensing education met or exceeded DC's 60-hour requirement. They must pass DC's state-portion exam, complete DC-specific Fair Housing and Property Management courses, and provide a recent license-certification letter from their home jurisdiction.

Sources

  1. [1] dlcp.dc.gov/page/real-estate-commission — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/812%20DC%20RE.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] dlcp.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dlcp/page_content/attachments/2023%20-%202025%20DCREC%20Course%20Requirements.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12