Washington DC Real Estate License Reciprocity
How to transfer your real estate license from another state to Washiington DC.
What is real estate license reciprocity? One may obtain a real estate license by reciprocity or mutual recognition if the person has a current license in another state. It basically means you would transfer your license without having to take some or all of the state’s pre-licensing requirements. Requirements for an of-state-real estate license vary by state.
Does Washington DC have real estate reciprocity with other states?
Yes. Alabama has reciprocity with all states. If you meet the requirements, you will need to take the DC portion of the real estate exam.
Requirements to get a real estate license by reciprocity in DC:
ReciprocityTwo (2) years’ experience as a licensed salesperson. The active license must immediately precede the application date.
Complete a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission approved 3-hour Property Management course.
Passing score on the state (DC) portion of the Broker exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.
Submit an original letter of license certification from your original jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal.
Steps to get your DC Real Estate License by Reciprocity
1. Take the required 3 hour DC Fair Housing course and 3 hour Property Management Course. These continuing education courses are approved for satisfying the course needed for license by reciprocity. Sign up for both of the required courses.
3 hour Fair Housing course online
and
3 Hour Property Management course online
The Fair Housing and Property Management courses are required for reciprocal license.
Take the original certificates of course completion to the PSI exam.
2. Study for the DC portion of the official license exam. You may take the online DC real estate exam prep course to study. Sign up for the District of Columbia exam prep Portion Only. There is a link on the DC Commission website that has the actual statute with laws and regulations. You can use that, but it is very dry reading of DC laws in lawyer type language. The exam prep is better. Sign up for the online DC real estate exam prep course. Select the DC portion only course.
3. You will need a certification of your license (to take to your PSI exam) for the original state where licensed. It must be an original and must be recent (within 90 days of application).
Request Virginia certification of license here – VA DPOR website. (Scroll to bottom of the linked page for certification request.)
Licensed in MD? Request Maryland certification of license.
Other states: Check your state board or commission site to get the certification.
Note: If not licensed in VA or MD, you will also need to provide original proof of 60 hours of your out-of-state pre-license education (Brokers need proof of at least 135 hours of broker pre-license education.)
Where is the application? Unlike VA and MD, there is no printable application. You sign up for an account with PSI and be sure you have the required documents.
Take the out-of-state license certification with you to the PSI exam.
4. Schedule the DC portion of the exam with PSI at psiexams.com. Here is a direct link to the test taker page to sign up. You will need to create an account and then sign up for the DC (“state portion”) of the PSI exam. You can also call them to schedule 800-733-9267 but it takes a while to get an answer on the phone. Note: PSI is located in Las Vegas. You will need a copy of your current license to take the DC portion of the exam. Make sure you request only the DC portion of the exam and be sure it is for salesperson (or broker it that’s the case).
5. Apply for your DC license with the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission. Apply here on the DC Real Estate Commission website. (Click Applicants section) After passing the PSI exam, you can go to the DC Commission site and register for a new account. After creating your account go to the login page at and fill out the form and pay the DC real estate license application fee. Note: A DC salesperson must sign up and work under a licensed DC broker.