The fast overview

You earn a DC salesperson license by completing the required education, passing the exam, completing the background check requirements, then applying through DLCP and affiliating with a brokerage.

That’s the whole path.

The details below are what keep it from turning into a frustrating stop-and-start process.

Step 1: Confirm you’re eligible and decide if you’re applying as a first-timer or by reciprocity

If this is your first license, your job is straightforward: follow DC’s standard education-and-exam path.

If you’re already licensed in Virginia or Maryland, DC has pathways that can reduce duplicate work. In most cases, you’ll still need DC-specific requirements (including coursework and the DC law portion of the exam), and you’ll need a current license certification letter—DC is strict about documentation.

The smart move is to decide which lane you’re in before you enroll, because reciprocity candidates often need different add-on courses than first-time applicants.

Step 2: Complete the 60-hour DC pre-licensing course

DC requires a 60-hour pre-licensing course from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider.

This is where people get surprised. The class isn’t about “how to get clients.” It’s about consumer protection: agency, contracts, disclosures, fair housing, finance basics, and the rules the Commission expects you to follow once you’re licensed.

Finish the hours, pass the provider’s final, and keep your completion certificate handy. You’ll need it for the exam and your application.

Step 3: Pass the PSI licensing exam

DC uses a PSI exam with two parts: national real estate content and DC law.

For salespersons, the candidate bulletin lists:

• General (national): 80 questions, 120 minutes

• State (DC law): 30 questions, 90 minutes

• Combined: 110 questions, 210 minutes

DC requires a minimum 75% passing score.

If you pass one portion and fail the other, you typically retake only the portion you missed—so it pays to treat DC law like its own study block instead of an afterthought.

Step 4: Handle the background check requirements

DC requires a criminal background check as part of the licensing process.

This is one of the steps that can slow people down because it’s administrative and doesn’t feel “productive.” Don’t treat it that way. Do it promptly and follow the instructions that come with your DLCP application flow so your file doesn’t stall.

Step 5: Choose a sponsoring broker and submit your DLCP application quickly

In DC, your license lives under a broker. You’re not practicing independently as a new salesperson.

While you’re in class—or at least while you’re studying for the exam—start interviewing brokerages. That way, when you pass, you can move straight into the application and activation phase without losing weeks “deciding where to hang it.”

One important timing rule: DLCP notes that once you pass the required exam, you must submit your salesperson application with the required fees within six months. That deadline is easy to miss if you treat licensing like something you’ll “finish later.”

What it typically costs in DLCP fees

DLCP lists these baseline fees for DC real estate licensing:

• Application fee: $65

• Salesperson license fee: $130

• Plus the Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund fee DLCP references ($60)

Your course tuition and PSI exam fee are separate.

Step 6: Plan for renewal and continuing education now, not later

DC renewal is predictable, but it’s not flexible.

For salespersons, DLCP lists the expiration date as August 31 of odd-numbered years. To renew, you complete the continuing education requirements for the cycle and file on time.

CE is one of those things that doesn’t feel urgent until it becomes urgent. If you build a habit early—knocking it out well before your deadline—you avoid the last-minute scramble that catches a lot of agents.

FAQs

How long does it take to get a DC real estate license?

Most people can finish in roughly 2–3 months if they stay in motion. The course can be completed in a few weeks, and exam scheduling is usually the next pacing item. After you pass, the remaining timeline depends on how quickly you complete the background check requirements and submit a complete DLCP application. The biggest delays usually come from pausing after the class or waiting too long after passing to apply.

Can I take the 60-hour DC pre-licensing course online?

Yes—many approved providers offer online options. Online is usually faster because it’s self-paced, but the benefit only shows up if you actually treat it like a schedule. If you drag the course out over months, you lose the “fresh memory” advantage when you sit for the exam.

What score do I need to pass the DC real estate exam?

DC’s candidate bulletin states you need a minimum 75% to pass. That’s true for the salesperson exam overall and is especially important on the DC law portion—because that’s the part people tend to under-study.

Do I need a sponsoring broker before I apply?

Practically, you should be interviewing brokerages early so you can activate and start working quickly, but licensing steps and activation can vary based on how your application is filed and how your brokerage handles onboarding. The safest approach is simple: line up a brokerage while you’re studying so you’re not stuck in limbo after you pass.

If I’m already licensed in Virginia or Maryland, can I get a DC license faster?

Often, yes—but it’s not “automatic.” DC has specific reciprocity/endorsement requirements, including DC-approved courses (fair housing and property management are commonly required) and passing the DC portion of the exam. You’ll also need an official license certification letter dated within DC’s required window. The upside is you can usually avoid duplicating national-level education you’ve already completed elsewhere.

How often do DC real estate licenses renew?

DLCP lists DC real estate renewals on an odd-year cycle. For salespersons, the expiration date is August 31 of odd-numbered years. If you wait until the deadline month to handle CE and renewal, you’re inviting stress. Treat renewal like a standing calendar event.