The Washington Real Estate License Application, Form RE-620-004 (Rev. 6/22), is the form you use to apply for your first broker or managing broker license, or to reinstate a cancelled license, with the Washington State Department of Licensing. You file it after you pass the state exam, and the Real Estate Licensing unit reviews it before it issues your license.
Getting this form right matters because a single missing box or unsigned line sends your application back unprocessed, and you cannot legally work for a firm until your license is active. Washington licenses more than 30,000 active real estate brokers, and applications with blank firm sections or skipped legal-background answers are among the most common reasons the Department of Licensing holds a file before approval.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to fill out every box on Form RE-620-004, line by line, in plain English
- 💵 The exact fees you owe and how to pay them through the online portal or by mail
- 🔍 How to handle the legal-background questions and the fingerprint-based background check the right way
- 🏢 How to complete the employing firm section so your license activates fast
- ⚠️ The mistakes that get applications rejected and how to avoid each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form RE-620-004 is the Real Estate License Application used by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to issue a new broker or managing broker license, or to reinstate a license the state cancelled. The form is required under Chapter 18.85 RCW, the Real Estate Brokers and Managing Brokers Act, which is the state law that governs who may provide real estate services in Washington. The DOL Real Estate Licensing unit is the agency that receives and processes your application.
You must file this form if you pass the Washington broker exam and want your first broker license. You also use it for your first managing broker license, or to reinstate a license that was cancelled. The form clearly warns that you should not submit more than one application with your passing exam results, so you send it once.
A broker is the entry-level license. A managing broker holds a higher license that allows supervisory roles and requires three years of experience plus advanced courses. A designated broker is a managing broker registered to run a firm, as defined in RCW 18.85.121. The plain-English point is that a broker cannot work alone; the law ties your license to a licensed firm and its designated broker.
The consequence of ignoring the statute is real. If you act as a broker without an active license tied to a firm, the DOL can fine you and deny your application. A common misconception is that passing the exam makes you a licensed broker. Passing the exam only earns you the right to apply — this form is what turns that exam result into an active license.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Each item maps to a box on Form RE-620-004, and a missing piece means an incomplete application that the DOL will not process.
- Your passing exam results. The DOL must have your passing broker exam score on file from PSI before the “apply” button appears in your online account; without it, you cannot apply.
- Your full legal name. You need your name exactly as it appears on your government ID, because the state cross-checks it during the background review.
- Your date of birth. Enter it in MM/DD/YYYY format; a mismatch with your fingerprint record slows your check.
- Your home address, phone, and email. The DOL sends license notices and audit notices here, so an old address means you miss critical mail.
- Your fingerprint-based background check. You must schedule this through IdentoGO before you apply, and results take 10 to 14 business days to reach the DOL.
- Details of any legal or license history. If you answer “Yes” to either legal-background question, you need a detailed written explanation ready to attach.
- Your employing firm’s name and license number. A broker license cannot activate without a firm, so you need the firm that will hold your license.
- Your designated broker’s name and license number. This person signs the employing firm section, certifying they will supervise you.
- Your payment. Have a card ready for the online portal, or a check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing if you mail the form.
- Military status, if it applies. Current or former military members and military spouses may qualify for fee help, so confirm your status before you file.
The reason this checklist matters is timing. The fingerprint results and exam results both have to land in the DOL system before you can submit, and each takes days. Missing the firm information is the single most common cause of a stalled application, because the state will not issue an active broker license that floats free of a firm.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You access the application two ways. The fastest is online through the Professional Licensing portal, where you log in with a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account and find an “apply for your license” button in your to-do list. The paper version, Form RE-620-004, is a fillable PDF you download from the DOL forms library, print, sign, and mail.
To use the online channel, you first create a SAW account, then link it to your DOL professional license profile. The “apply for your license” button only appears after both your exam results and fingerprint results are on file. If you do not see that button, the DOL has not yet received one of those two items, so you wait rather than clicking other buttons, which are for exam applications only.
To use the paper channel, download the PDF, type or print your answers, and mail it with payment to: Real Estate Licensing, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3856, Seattle, WA 98124-3856. The form’s revision code is RE-620-004 (R/6/22)WA, printed at the bottom of each page, so confirm you have that current version before you fill it out.
A common misconception is that you must wait for a paper license in the mail before working. With an online account you can self-print your license for free once it is active, and you may begin working from the postmark date of a complete application.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form RE-620-004 Line by Line
Work through the form in the order the boxes appear. Page 1 covers fees, your applicant information, and the legal background questions. Page 2 covers the employing firm information and the fingerprinting instructions. Use the exact field labels printed on the form so nothing gets skipped.
1. Fees — New License (Check One)
This section asks which license you are paying for and how much you owe. You check one box: Broker – $223 or Managing broker – $320. There is also a Reinstatement option, where you check that box and contact Real Estate Licensing for the fee amount because reinstatement fees vary by how long the license was cancelled.
To answer it, check the single box that matches the license you want. A first-time applicant fresh off the broker exam checks Broker – $223. For example, Devon Carter, who just passed the broker exam, checks the “Broker – $223” box and writes nothing in the managing broker line.
A nuance applies to reinstatement filers: the form does not list a flat number, so you must call the DOL at (360) 664-6500 to get your exact figure before you pay. A common mistake is checking both the broker and managing broker boxes, which signals two different applications and triggers a hold. The misconception here is that the $223 covers everything; it does not include your separate fingerprint and exam fees, which you pay elsewhere.
2. Fees — License Print Option
This part asks whether you want the state to print and mail your physical license or whether you will print it yourself. The form lists $0 self-print license online and $5 each. DOL print and mail license, with a Quantity field and a Total field. You choose one path and fill the Total accordingly.
To answer it, leave the print fee at zero if you plan to self-print from your online account, or write the number of copies you want and multiply by $5. For example, Devon plans to self-print, so he leaves the print fee blank and lists his Total as $223.
A nuance is that the broker community widely uses the free self-print option, so paying $5 is optional. A common mistake is forgetting to add the $5 per copy to your Total when you do want a mailed license, which leaves your payment short and stalls the order. The misconception is that you need the printed license to start working; the active status in the system is what counts, not the paper copy.
3. Name as You Would Like It to Appear on Your License
This box asks how you want your name displayed on the license itself. The label reads “TYPE or PRINT Name as you would like it to appear on your license.” This is the public-facing name clients and the DOL roster will see.
To answer it, type or print the name you want shown, keeping it consistent with your legal name. For example, Devon Michael Carter writes “Devon Carter” if he prefers to drop his middle name on the license.
A nuance covers nicknames: you may shorten or drop a middle name, but you cannot invent a name that does not match your identity. A common mistake is entering a casual nickname that does not align with your legal name, which can cause confusion during audits. The misconception is that this box must match your full legal name word for word; it is the display name, while the next box captures your full legal name.
4. Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
This box asks for your birth date in month, day, four-digit year format. It sits in the applicant information block and helps the DOL match you to your fingerprint and background records.
To answer it, write the date using two digits for month and day and four for the year. For example, Devon, born March 9, 1996, writes 03/09/1996.
A nuance: enter leading zeros, so a March date reads 03, not 3, to keep the format clean. A common mistake is transposing the month and day, which creates a mismatch with your fingerprint submission and delays the background check. The misconception is that the date format is flexible; the form specifies MM/DD/YYYY, and other formats invite data-entry errors.
5. Full Legal Name (First, Middle, Last)
This box asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your government identification. The state uses this name to run your background check and to confirm your identity against official records.
To answer it, type or print your first, middle, and last names in that order, matching your ID exactly. For example, Devon enters “Devon Michael Carter,” because that is the name on his driver’s license.
A nuance covers name changes: if you recently married or changed your name, use your current legal name and be ready to show documentation if asked. A common mistake is leaving out a middle name that appears on your ID, which can cause a mismatch during the background review. The misconception is that this should match your display name from Box 3; this field must match your legal ID, even if your display name is shorter.
6. Home Address, Phone, and Email
This block asks for your residential street address, city, state, ZIP code, area code and phone number, and email. The DOL uses this to reach you about your license and any audits or investigations.
To answer it, enter your current home street address and complete contact details in each labeled field. For example, Devon writes “1420 Pine St,” Spokane, WA, 99201, his cell phone, and his personal email.
A nuance: if you move, you must update your address with the DOL, because the agency mails legal notices here. A common mistake is using an old or temporary address, which means you miss the renewal and audit notices that carry deadlines. The misconception is that a P.O. box works for the home address; the state expects a physical residential address for the home field, though firm mail goes to the firm’s address.
7. Military Status (Check if Applicable)
This optional section asks whether you are a current or former military member, or a military spouse or domestic partner. Washington offers fee and licensing help to qualifying service members and their families.
To answer it, check the box only if it applies to you, and leave it blank otherwise. For example, Marisol Reyes, a Navy spouse, checks “Military spouse or domestic partner” to flag her eligibility for fee assistance.
A nuance is that this status can speed processing and reduce costs, so eligible filers should never skip it. A common mistake is ignoring this section when you qualify, which means you lose benefits you were entitled to. The misconception is that checking this box requires extra paperwork up front; you check it now and provide proof only if the DOL requests it.
8. Legal Background — Question 1 (License Actions)
This question asks: “Within the last 5 years, in this state or any other jurisdiction, have you had any action (fine, suspension, revocation, censure, surrender, etc.) taken against any professional or occupational license, certification, or permit held by you?” You answer Yes or No.
To answer it, check the box that matches your honest history, and if you check “Yes,” attach a detailed written explanation. For example, Devon, who has never held another license, checks “No” and moves on.
A nuance covers surrendered licenses: even a voluntary surrender during an investigation counts and must be disclosed. A common mistake is answering “No” when a prior license action exists, which the background check will uncover and which can lead to denial for dishonesty rather than the action itself. The misconception is that minor or out-of-state actions do not count; the question covers any jurisdiction within the last five years.
9. Legal Background — Question 2 (Criminal History)
This question asks: “Within the last 5 years, in this state or any other jurisdiction, have you defaulted, or been convicted of, or entered a plea of no contest to a gross misdemeanor or felony crime? (Don’t include traffic convictions.)” You answer Yes or No.
To answer it, check the honest box, and attach a detailed explanation if you check “Yes.” For example, Marisol checks “No” because she has no gross misdemeanor or felony in the last five years and only a minor speeding ticket, which is excluded.
A nuance is that a no-contest plea counts the same as a conviction here, so do not assume a plea deal keeps you clear. A common mistake is hiding a conviction the fingerprint check will reveal anyway, which turns a reviewable issue into a likely denial. The misconception is that any criminal record automatically blocks a license; the DOL reviews each case, and a disclosed, explained offense is often approved.
10. Applicant Signature and Declaration
This block contains the perjury declaration, a line to type or print your name, a date-and-place line, and the signature line marked with an X. By signing, you swear under penalty of perjury that everything you wrote is true.
To answer it, type or print your name, fill the date and place, and sign on the X. For example, Devon prints “Devon Michael Carter,” writes “05/30/2026, Spokane, WA,” and signs above the X.
A nuance: if you file the paper form, you must print it and sign by hand, because the form notes “When you have completed this form, print it out and sign here.” A common mistake is leaving the signature blank, which voids the entire application and forces a restart. The misconception is that a typed name counts as a signature; the form needs your actual signature on the X line.
11. Employing Firm Information (Page 2)
This section asks for the firm where your license will be held: the firm name, firm license number, mailing address, phone, physical address if different, the designated broker’s name and license number, and any branch manager’s name and license number. This ties your broker license to a licensed firm, as RCW 18.85 requires.
To answer it, enter the firm’s exact licensed name and number, then the designated broker’s name as it appears on their license. For example, Devon writes “Cascade Realty Group,” its firm license number, and “Sarah Lin” as the designated broker with her managing broker license number.
A nuance: the physical address only gets filled in if it differs from the mailing address, so leave it blank when they match. A common mistake is leaving this whole section blank because you have not picked a firm yet, which means the DOL cannot activate your license. The misconception is that you can fill this in later; the firm and designated broker must be in place for the application to result in an active license.
12. Designated Broker/Branch Manager Signature
This block requires the designated broker or branch manager to sign under penalty of perjury, with a typed name and date-and-place line. Their signature certifies the firm will employ and supervise you. The form notes that if someone other than the designated broker or branch manager signs, you must submit a copy of the delegation authority.
To answer it, have your designated broker print their name, date it, and sign the X line on page 2. For example, Sarah Lin prints her name, writes the date and “Seattle, WA,” and signs as the designated broker for Cascade Realty Group.
A nuance: a branch manager may sign instead of the designated broker, and a delegate may sign if a delegation document is attached. A common mistake is submitting the form with the firm section filled in but this signature line blank, which leaves the license inactive. The misconception is that the broker can sign this part; the firm’s authorized supervisor must sign, not the applicant.
13. Fingerprinting and Background Check Section (Page 2)
This part of the form is informational and tells you when and how to complete your fingerprint-based background check. The form lists that you need it when applying for a new broker license, when applying for a managing broker license through reciprocity, and every six years at renewal. It cites RCW 18.85.191 as the authority.
To act on it, schedule your fingerprints inside Washington through IdentoGO, where you pay the vendor for the printing and the background checks. For example, Devon books an IdentoGO appointment in Spokane, pays about $44.80 for the state and national check, and submits his prints before he applies.
A nuance applies to out-of-state filers: instead of a local appointment, you call (360) 664-6484 for fingerprint card mailing instructions and use an ink FD-258 card. A common mistake is applying before the prints reach the DOL, since results take 10 to 14 business days and the apply button will not appear until they land. The misconception is that the license fee covers fingerprinting; you pay IdentoGO separately, and that cost is not part of the $223 license fee.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common filers walked through the major sections of Form RE-620-004. Each shows what a real person enters from start to finish.
Scenario A — Devon Carter, first broker license after passing the exam:
| Form Section | What Devon Enters |
|---|---|
| New license fee | Checks Broker – $223 |
| Print option | $0 self-print, Total $223 |
| Name on license | Devon Carter |
| Date of birth | 03/09/1996 |
| Full legal name | Devon Michael Carter |
| Home address | 1420 Pine St, Spokane, WA 99201 |
| Legal background Q1 and Q2 | No and No |
| Employing firm | Cascade Realty Group, designated broker Sarah Lin |
Scenario B — Marisol Reyes, out-of-state agent and military spouse:
| Form Section | What Marisol Enters |
|---|---|
| New license fee | Checks Broker – $223 |
| Military status | Checks Military spouse or domestic partner |
| Name on license | Marisol Reyes |
| Date of birth | 11/22/1990 |
| Full legal name | Marisol Ana Reyes |
| Fingerprints | Calls (360) 664-6484 for out-of-state ink card instructions |
| Legal background Q1 and Q2 | No and No |
| Employing firm | Sound View Properties, designated broker James Okafor |
Scenario C — Theo Brandt, reinstating a cancelled license with a past disclosure:
| Form Section | What Theo Enters |
|---|---|
| New license fee | Checks Reinstatement and calls DOL for fee |
| Print option | $5 DOL print and mail, Quantity 1 |
| Name on license | Theo Brandt |
| Date of birth | 07/14/1982 |
| Full legal name | Theodore James Brandt |
| Legal background Q1 | Yes, with an attached written explanation |
| Legal background Q2 | No |
| Employing firm | Brandt & Associates, designated broker Theo Brandt |
How to File the Completed Form
Washington gives you two filing channels, and you should pick one rather than sending duplicates. The form warns you not to submit more than one application with your passing exam results.
- Online portal. Log in at the Professional Licensing portal through your SAW account, click “apply for your license” in your to-do list, and pay by card. You must pay both the license fee and the separate research fee in full, or the system holds your license. Processing is fast once your exam and fingerprint results are on file, and you can self-print your license free the moment it activates.
- By mail. Print Form RE-620-004, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing to: Real Estate Licensing, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3856, Seattle, WA 98124-3856. Keep a copy and your mailing receipt as proof of filing, since you may begin working from the postmark date of a complete application.
- Fingerprint submission. This is a separate step you complete through IdentoGO before you file, paying the vendor directly, with results taking 10 to 14 business days to reach the DOL.
For questions or language help, the DOL lists (360) 664-6500 or (360) 664-6488. Keep your payment confirmation, because that record is your proof if a fee question comes up later.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, the DOL Real Estate Licensing unit reviews your application, confirms your exam and fingerprint results, and checks your firm and designated broker signatures. If everything is complete and your background check is clear, the state activates your license and you can self-print it from your online account. You may begin working from the postmark date of a complete mailed application, so you do not always wait for final approval to start.
If your background check flags an issue, or you answered “Yes” to a legal-background question, a reviewer examines your written explanation before deciding. This can add time, but a disclosed and explained matter is often approved. The key is that the file stays open, not denied, while the DOL gathers what it needs.
If your application is incomplete, the DOL does not process it and may return it. The form states plainly that “Incomplete applications will not be processed,” so a blank firm section, missing signature, or short payment all stall your start date. Fixing and resubmitting costs days you could have spent working.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Applying before your fingerprint results reach the DOL — the apply button will not appear, so you waste time.
- Submitting two applications with one set of exam results — the form bans this and it creates a processing conflict.
- Leaving the employing firm section blank — your license cannot activate without a firm.
- Forgetting the designated broker signature on page 2 — the application stays incomplete.
- Checking both the broker and managing broker fee boxes — the DOL cannot tell which license you want.
- Underpaying by skipping the separate research fee online — the system holds your license until both are paid.
- Answering “No” to a legal-background question when a record exists — the background check finds it and may lead to denial for dishonesty.
- Using an old home address — you miss renewal and audit notices that carry deadlines.
- Entering the wrong date-of-birth format — a mismatch slows your fingerprint match.
- Leaving the applicant signature blank — the perjury declaration is void and the form is rejected.
- Forgetting to attach a written explanation after a “Yes” answer — the reviewer cannot evaluate your case and the file stalls.
- Adding a $5 print copy without raising your Total — your payment comes up short.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do confirm you have the RE-620-004 (R/6/22)WA version, because older forms may ask for outdated information.
- Do complete your fingerprints first, since results take 10 to 14 business days to post.
- Do match your full legal name to your government ID, because the state cross-checks it.
- Do line up your firm and designated broker before you file, so your license activates without delay.
- Do keep your payment confirmation and mailing receipt, because they are your proof of filing.
- Do disclose any license action or conviction honestly, since the background check will surface it anyway.
Don’t:
- Don’t submit more than one application with your exam results, because the form forbids it.
- Don’t click portal buttons outside your to-do list, since those are for exam applications only.
- Don’t leave the employing firm or signature lines blank, because that makes the application incomplete.
- Don’t use a nickname that does not match your legal identity on the legal-name line.
- Don’t assume the license fee covers fingerprinting, because you pay IdentoGO separately.
- Don’t wait for a mailed paper license before working, since you can self-print once active.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most broker applicants file on their own, but some lean on their firm or a school for help. Here is how the two paths compare.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Firm or School Help |
|---|---|
| Saves money, because there is no service fee | Reduces errors, since experienced staff catch blank fields |
| Gives you full control over timing and entries | Speeds firm setup, because your designated broker handles page 2 directly |
| Builds your understanding of the licensing system | Eases the legal-background section, with guidance on what to disclose |
| Works well for clean histories with no disclosures | Helps complex cases, like reinstatements or “Yes” answers |
| Lets you self-print and start the moment you are active | Lowers rejection risk, since a second set of eyes reviews it |
Cons of going solo include the risk of a missed box that returns your file, the stress of handling a disclosure alone, and the chance you apply before your results post. Cons of relying on help include possible service costs, less control over the timing, and depending on someone else’s schedule for the firm signature.
FAQs
Do I need to pass the exam before I file this form?
Yes. The DOL must have your passing broker exam results on file before the “apply for your license” button appears, so you cannot submit the application without them.
Do I have to be tied to a firm to get a broker license?
Yes. A broker license activates only when the employing firm section and the designated broker signature are complete, because state law ties your license to a firm.
Do I write my legal name or my nickname in the full legal name box?
Yes, use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your government ID, because the state cross-checks this field during your background review.
Do I fill in the physical address line under the firm section if it matches the mailing address?
No. You fill the physical address only when it differs from the mailing address, so leave it blank when the two are the same.
Do I check both the broker and managing broker fee boxes if I am unsure?
No. You check only one box for the license you want, because checking both signals two applications and stalls processing.
Do traffic tickets count in the criminal-history question?
No. Legal background Question 2 excludes traffic convictions, so a simple speeding ticket does not require a “Yes” answer or an explanation.
Do I need to attach anything if I answer “Yes” to a legal-background question?
Yes. You must attach a detailed written explanation, because the reviewer needs it to evaluate your case before deciding on your license.
Do I pay for fingerprinting through this form?
No. You pay IdentoGO separately for fingerprints and the background check, so that cost is not part of the $223 broker license fee.
Do out-of-state applicants use IdentoGO the same way?
No. Out-of-state filers call (360) 664-6484 for ink fingerprint card mailing instructions instead of booking a local Washington appointment.
Do I have to wait for a paper license in the mail before I start working?
No. You may begin working from the postmark date of a complete application and can self-print your license free once it is active.
Do I sign the form myself if I file the paper version?
Yes. You must print the completed form and sign by hand on the applicant X line, because a typed name does not count as a signature.
Do reinstatement filers pay the $223 broker fee?
No. Reinstatement fees vary, so you check the reinstatement box and call Real Estate Licensing at (360) 664-6500 for your exact amount.
Do I create a Secure Access Washington account to apply online?
Yes. You log in through a SAW account linked to your DOL profile, because that is how the online Professional Licensing portal verifies your identity.
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