Real estate license renewal in Washington is handled on Form RE-620-005, which the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) publishes for brokers and managing brokers. The form collects your license details, two legal background questions and a signed declaration that you completed the required continuing education. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the agency's own copy and its online renewal service stay at the DOL.
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What is RE-620-005?
Real Estate License Renewal (Form RE-620-005) is the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) form used by real estate brokers and managing brokers to renew their license, with legal background questions and a declaration of required continuing education.
The form is a three-page paper alternative to renewing online. Page 1 carries the instructions for returning it, the fee schedule, the applicant block and two legal background questions. Page 2 holds the real estate education declaration, signed under penalty of perjury under Washington law, with the signature and the date and place. Page 3 explains fingerprint-based background checks and lists the continuing education each renewal type requires.
By signing, you certify that you took the required hours of approved real estate education, including the 3 hours of core curriculum under WAC 308-124A-785 and 308-124A-790. For an active renewal you do not attach proof of education; the DOL runs random audits that require proof before a renewal is completed. The form covers renewals of broker and managing broker licenses on active or inactive status. It does not activate an inactive license: the form says you may have to meet the active-license education requirements first and points to [email protected].
Who needs to file RE-620-005?
Real estate brokers and managing brokers licensed in Washington who are renewing their license use Form RE-620-005. The form gives separate education rules for each group:
- Brokers on a first active renewal: the education rules of WAC 308-124A-785 apply.
- Brokers on later active renewals: the rules of WAC 308-124A-790 apply.
- Managing brokers on any active renewal: the rules of WAC 308-124A-790 apply, with hours started after first licensure as a managing broker.
- Brokers or managing brokers renewing on inactive status: no continuing education is required to renew an inactive license.
Fingerprints matter to every renewal: the form says all licensees must submit fingerprint-based background checks every 6 years in order to renew or to join a firm, and that fingerprints are required at renewal if the background checks on record are 6 years old or older.
Anyone who answers "Yes" to either legal background question still uses this form but must attach a detailed explanation. The form names no representative who may sign for the licensee; the applicant signs.
When to file RE-620-005
File Form RE-620-005 when your real estate license comes up for renewal; the form prints no renewal date of its own and refers to the renewal notice the DOL emails you. A late renewal carries a higher fee than an on-time one for both brokers and managing brokers, so check the fee schedule on the form before you pay.
Handle fingerprints first if they apply to you. The form says it takes 14 business days for results to be received and entered, and that no notification is sent when they are entered. A separate fingerprint reminder email comes apart from the Real Estate Renewal Reminder; if you did not receive a renewal notice, log in to update your email address.
For an active renewal, complete your continuing education before you sign, because your signature certifies that the hours are done.
Documents you need
- A check or money order for the renewal fee, payable to the Department of Licensing, when you renew by mail.
- The per-copy print fee added to your payment for each copy, only if you want the DOL to print and mail your license.
- A detailed written explanation, only if you answer "Yes" to legal background question 1 or 2.
- Fingerprint-based background check, only if the background checks on record are 6 years old or older; results are submitted through IdentoGO inside Washington or by fingerprint card outside Washington.
- Proof of education completion, only if the DOL asks for it in a random audit; it is not attached to an active renewal.
How to fill out RE-620-005
Check the fee for your license type
On page 1, find the fee for your license, either Broker or Managing broker, and note that late renewals have a separate fee. Have your check or money order ready if you mail the form.
Enter your names
In the Applicant block, TYPE or PRINT the name as you would like it to appear on your license, then your legal name (First, Middle, Last).
Add birth date, license number and email
Enter your date of birth as mm/dd/yyyy, your license number and your email address. Use an email you check, because the DOL sends renewal and fingerprint reminders there.
Enter your address and phone numbers
Write your street address, city, state and ZIP code. Give a 10-digit daytime phone number and a 10-digit other phone number.
Order printed licenses if you want them
A self-print license is available online with an account. If you want the DOL to print and mail your license, enter the quantity and total in the print fee line and add that fee to your payment.
Answer legal background question 1
Mark Yes or No for any action (fine, suspension, revocation, censure, surrender, etc.) taken in the last 5 years, in any jurisdiction, against a professional or occupational license, certification or permit you hold. Attach a detailed explanation if Yes.
Answer legal background question 2
Mark Yes or No for any default, conviction or no contest plea to a gross misdemeanor or felony in the last 5 years, in any jurisdiction. Do not include traffic convictions; attach a detailed explanation if Yes.
Sign the education declaration
On page 2, TYPE or PRINT your name, sign on the applicant signature line and enter the date and place. Sign only if you completed the continuing education for your renewal type, listed on page 3.
Arrange fingerprints if required
If the background checks on record are 6 years old or older, follow the page 3 instructions: IdentoGO inside Washington, or fingerprint card submission outside Washington.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check every line, the Yes/No answers and the attached explanations. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then submit it with payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit RE-620-005
You can renew online through the DOL, or mail this completed form with payment.
- Online: go to https://professions.dol.wa.gov. Licenses can be self-printed with an online account.
- By mail: send the completed form and a check or money order for the renewal fee, payable to the Department of Licensing, to: Real Estate Licensing, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3917, Seattle, WA 98124-3917.
A renewal fee applies, and it depends on your license type and on whether the renewal is late; the amounts are printed on the form. If you want the DOL to print and mail your license, add the per-copy print fee for each copy to your payment and enter the quantity and total on the form. Fingerprints are taken separately: inside Washington you schedule an appointment through IdentoGO at https://www.identogo.com and pay IdentoGO directly; outside Washington, follow the fingerprint card instructions on the DOL fingerprinting page. For questions or language help, call (360) 664-6500. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Answering "Yes" to a legal background question without attaching a detailed explanation, which the form requires for any "Yes" answer.
- Signing the education declaration before completing the required continuing education; the signature certifies the hours and is made under penalty of perjury.
- Leaving out the fingerprint check when the background checks on record are 6 years old or older.
- Waiting on fingerprints at the last minute: results take 14 business days to be received and entered, and no notification is sent.
- Sending the late renewal fee schedule's lower amount when the renewal is late; the form lists a separate, higher fee for late renewals.
- Making the check or money order payable to anyone other than the Department of Licensing.
- Mailing the form to the wrong place instead of Real Estate Licensing, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3917, Seattle, WA 98124-3917.
- Applying the subsequent-renewal rules on a first active broker renewal, which requires 90 hours including the 30-hour Advanced Practices Course and the 30-hour Real Estate Law Course.
- Forgetting the print fee and quantity when you want the DOL to print and mail the license.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form RE-620-005?
Form RE-620-005 is the Washington State Department of Licensing form titled Real Estate License Renewal. Brokers and managing brokers use it to renew a license by mail, answering two legal background questions and signing an education declaration.
Can I do my real estate license renewal online in Washington?
Yes. The form lists the DOL online option at https://professions.dol.wa.gov, and licenses can be self-printed with an online account. Alternatively, mail the completed form with a check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing.
Where do I mail Form RE-620-005?
Mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee to Real Estate Licensing, Department of Licensing, PO Box 3917, Seattle, WA 98124-3917. For questions or language help, call (360) 664-6500.
Do I need fingerprints to renew my real estate license?
Yes, if the background checks on record are 6 years old or older. Licensees submit fingerprint-based checks every 6 years to renew or join a firm. Results take 14 business days to be received and entered, and no notification is sent.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew?
For an active renewal, a first-time broker needs at least 90 hours, including a 30-hour Advanced Practices Course, a 30-hour Real Estate Law Course and a 3-hour Core Course. Later broker renewals and all managing broker renewals need at least 30 hours, including the 3-hour Core Course.
Do I need continuing education to renew an inactive license?
No. The form says no continuing education is required to renew an inactive license. To activate it later, you may have to meet active-license education requirements; email [email protected] to ask before applying.
Do I attach my education certificates to the renewal?
No, not for an active renewal. You sign the declaration instead, and the DOL conducts random audits that require proof of completion before renewal. If you cannot verify the hours, you may face disciplinary action.
Can I fill out the real estate license renewal form on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent and does not file the form or take payment; you submit it to the DOL online or by mail.
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