Firm license — Requirements.

RCW 18.85.091
in effect
Sign in to generate a plain English summaryAsk Belisarius Agent
(1) The minimum requirements for a firm to receive a license are that the firm: (a) Designates a managing broker as the "designated broker" who has authority to act for the firm, and provides the director with the name of the owner or owners or any others with a controlling interest in the firm; (b) Assures that no person with controlling interest in the firm is the subject of a final departmental order, as provided in chapter 34.05 RCW, suspending or revoking any type of real estate license; and (c) Does not adopt a name that is the same or similar to currently issued licenses or that implies the real estate firm is a nonprofit or research organization, or is a public bureau or group. (2) An applicant for a real estate firm's license shall provide the director with: (a) The firm name and unified business identifier number; (b) Washington business mailing and street address, contact telephone number, if any, and a mailing and physical address for either the firm's trust account or business records location, or both; (c) Internet home page site and business email address, if any; (d) Application fee prescribed by the director; and (e) Any other information the director may require. (3) The firm must provide the following to the department for renewal of the firm's license: (a) Renewal fee; (b) Notice of any change in controlling interest for the firm; and (c) Notice of any change in the firm's registration or certificate of authority filed with the secretary of state. (1) The minimum requirements for a firm to receive a license are that the firm: (a) Designates a managing broker as the "designated broker" who has authority to act for the firm, and provides the director with the name of the owner or owners or any others with a controlling interest in the firm; (b) Assures that no person with controlling interest in the firm is the subject of a final departmental order, as provided in chapter 34.05 RCW, suspending or revoking any type of real estate license; and (c) Does not adopt a name that is the same or similar to currently issued licenses or that implies the real estate firm is a nonprofit or research organization, or is a public bureau or group. (2) An applicant for a real estate firm's license shall provide the director with: (a) The firm name and unified business identifier number; (b) Washington business mailing and street address, contact telephone number, if any, and a mailing and physical address for either the firm's trust account or business records location, or both; (c) Internet home page site and business email address, if any; (d) Application fee prescribed by the director; and (e) Any other information the director may require. (3) The firm must provide the following to the department for renewal of the firm's license: (a) Renewal fee; (b) Notice of any change in controlling interest for the firm; and (c) Notice of any change in the firm's registration or certificate of authority filed with the secretary of state.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.85&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026