First Steps: What to Do the Week You Decide on Real Estate
You have decided you want to pursue a career in real estate, but what happens during the very first week? Taking the leap into a new profession brings immediate questions about state rules, study schedules, and actual start-up costs. Figuring out the exact first steps to become real estate agent candidates must take in Washington helps you avoid wasted time and unnecessary expenses.
In Washington, getting your real estate broker license requires completing 90 hours of state-approved coursework before sitting for the state exam. Before you worry about joining a firm or printing business cards, you need an actionable strategy for your first seven days. You can begin exploring your required education by reviewing the Washington Real Estate Pre-Licensing Package to see how the curriculum is structured.
What Your First Week of Action Steps Really Involves
Many aspiring brokers assume their first week should be spent interviewing managing brokers or learning sales scripts. In reality, your initial week is entirely about operational readiness and understanding state compliance. The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) sets strict prerequisites before you can practice real estate legally.
Per the Washington Department of Licensing, all entry-level agents are classified as "brokers," while the supervisors who manage firms are "managing brokers." To qualify for a broker license, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete two mandatory pre-licensing courses totaling 90 clock hours: a 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course and a 30-hour Real Estate Practices course. You can verify all regulatory qualifications directly on the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
Picture your first week not as a whirlwind of property tours, but as establishing a quiet command center at home: verifying your eligibility, setting aside 10 to 15 study hours per week, and purchasing your state-approved coursework so your education begins immediately.
The Honest Pros and Cons of Entering the Industry
Entering Washington's real estate market offers incredible independence, flexible scheduling, and uncapped income potential. However, navigating the pre-licensing process demands serious self-discipline and upfront capital for education, fingerprint background checks, exam fees, and initial licensing costs.
Connecting these realities to your required 90 hours of education is essential. Washington requires students to pass final course exams for both the 60-hour Fundamentals and 30-hour Practices sections before they receive course completion certificates. Recent updates to state real estate laws also emphasize enhanced agency disclosures and strict consumer protection guidelines, meaning modern coursework must reflect current statutes rather than outdated rules.
Here is the typical sequence a newcomer experiences:
- Complete 90 hours of certified pre-licensing education.
- Submit fingerprints for a state and federal background check.
- Pass the state and national broker examination administered by the state testing vendor.
- Apply for your license with the Washington DOL and affiliate with a licensed managing broker.
Take control of your schedule early: start the coursework today and take the exam when you're ready.
How to Decide If Real Estate Is Right for You
Deciding to move forward requires balancing current commitments such as full-time employment, childcare, or financial transitions. Because pre-licensing courses can be completed entirely online, you do not need to quit your current job during your first week.
Follow this realistic one-week evaluation plan:
- Day 1: Audit Your Eligibility. Confirm you meet the age and high school education requirements mandated by the Washington DOL.
- Day 2: Build a Study Budget. Allocate roughly 6 to 10 weeks to complete your 90 hours of education at a sustainable pace of 10 to 15 hours each week.
- Day 3: Account for Startup Costs. Plan for course enrollment, state exam testing fees, fingerprint processing, and initial license application fees.
- Day 4: Select Your Education Provider. Choose an approved provider offering accessible, comprehensive online instruction.
- Day 5-7: Enroll and Establish Your Study Routine. Register for your course and complete your first introductory module.
Your First Concrete Steps Checklist
Beginners often lose momentum by getting distracted by brokerage recruitment pitches or purchasing expensive marketing tools before completing their education. Keep your focus sharp with this concrete checklist for week one:
- Confirm you meet the Washington DOL basic age and education criteria.
- Enroll in a state-approved 90-hour pre-licensing education package.
- Designate a dedicated study area and block study hours into your weekly digital calendar.
- Review the Washington candidate handbook from the state testing provider.
- Hold off on signing brokerage agreements until your coursework is well underway.
While building a real estate business takes steady persistence, breaking down the entry requirements into a practical checklist makes the journey manageable from day one.
How GetMeRenewed Fits In
When you are ready to start, GetMeRenewed provides an all-in-one, Washington-approved pre-licensing solution tailored to your schedule. The curriculum includes both required courses: the 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals and the 30-hour Real Estate Practices.
Everything is 100% self-paced and mobile-friendly, featuring comprehensive study materials, practice exams, and dedicated customer support to ensure you understand both national principles and Washington-specific license laws. You can enroll immediately in the Washington 90-Hour Pre-Licensing Package to start working through your required clock hours today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to finish my Washington pre-licensing courses?
Online pre-licensing courses in Washington are self-paced, though most education providers provide up to six to twelve months of access to complete your 90 hours of instruction and pass the course final exams.
Can I take my Washington real estate broker exam online?
The state testing vendor offers both in-person proctored testing centers throughout Washington and remote online-proctored exam sessions, provided your computer meets standard technical and security requirements.
When should I choose a managing broker in Washington?
While you can network early, you do not need to formally affiliate with a brokerage firm until after you pass your state licensing exam and submit your license application to the Washington Department of Licensing.
Conclusion
The most important takeaway for your first week is simple: momentum begins with education. Everything you just read starts with one step: your 90-hour course. Enroll today and build the foundation for your new real estate career.
