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DLCP

Department of Licensing
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Real Estate Commission

 


General Information

The District of Columbia Real Estate Commission regulates the licenses of professional real estate agents and protects consumers by upholding the District of Columbia real estate license laws and regulations including:


The Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Mayor. All members must be residents of the District of Columbia throughout their tenure on the Commission. Three members must each hold a Broker’s license; two members must hold a Salesperson’s license; two members must hold a Property Manager’s license; one member must be a licensed attorney; and one member must be a consumer member who does not hold a real estate license. Five members of the Commission constitute a quorum.

 

The Commission meets on the second Tuesday each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection located at 1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. August is a recess month. Due to the public health emergency, all board meetings are currently being held virtually.

Board meeting minutes are available at open-dc.gov.

Applicant

Apply for license

Click to apply for a license.

 

Items Needed for Application

All Applicants

  • One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
  • Unexpired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
  • Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees

 

Broker

Endorsement

  • Meet or exceed the District’s 135-hour pre-licensing education requirements in the jurisdictions from which you are applying
  • Two (2) years’ experience as a licensed salesperson. The active license must immediately precede the application date. 
  • Complete 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission approved 3-hour Property Management course.
  • Passing score on the state (DC) portion of the Broker exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.
  • An applicant for an Independent Broker’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination.
  • Original letter of license certification from your original jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted.

Examination

  • Two (2) years’ experience as a licensed salesperson. The active license must immediately precede the application date. 
  • Complete 135-hour pre-licensing educations.
  • Passing scores on both the national & state (DC) portions of the Broker exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.
  • An applicant for an Independent Broker’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination.
  • Property Management Continuing Education Certificate

Reciprocity

  • Two (2) years’ experience as a licensed salesperson. The active license must immediately precede the application date. 
  • Complete a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission approved 3-hour Property Management course.
  • Passing score on the state (DC) portion of the Broker exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.
  • An applicant for an Independent Broker’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination.
  • Original letter of license certification from your original jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted.

 

Property Manager

  • Currently, pre-license education is not required for DC property managers. However, if property management pre-license education is desired, visit the DCREC website for approved providers and courses. 
  • Passing scores on both the general and DC portions of the Property Manager exam.  
  • An applicant for a Property Manager’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination
  • Property Management Study Guide

 

Real Estate Organization

  • Registration as a legal entity, domestic (DC) or foreign (non-District) that conducts business in the District of Columbia (ex. Professional Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc.)
  • Trade Name Registration, if the entity is operating under a trade name.
  • Submit a current Certificate of Good Standing from the Division Of Corporations and, if applicable, a trade name registration certificate.

 

Real Estate Salesperson

Endorsement

  • Meet or exceed the District’s 60-hour pre-licensing education requirements in the jurisdictions from which you are applying.
  • Complete a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission approved 3-hour Property Management course.
  • All endorsement applicants are required to pass the state (DC) portion of the Salesperson exam with minimum 75 percent passing score. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website. 
  • Original letter of license certification from your licensing jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted.

Examination

  • Complete 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved educational provider. 
  • Passing scores on both the national & state (DC) portions of the Salesperson exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.  
  • An applicant for a salesperson’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination. 

Reciprocity

  • Complete a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DC Real Estate Commission approved 3-hour Property Management course. 
  • Passing score on the state (DC) portion of the Salesperson exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website. 
  • An applicant for a salesperson’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination.   
  • Original letter of license certification from your original jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted.
  • Property Management Continuing Education Certificate

 

Examination

Exams may be scheduled online or by phone.

To schedule online, visit psiexams.com. New users will need to create an account and register prior to scheduling an exam. Once registered, select “Schedule and examination” and then:

  1. Select Government/State Licensing Agencies
  2. Select District of Columbia exams
  3. Select Account for the type of licensing exam that you are seeking

Applicants may also schedule by phone at 1-855-557-0616.

Fees*  

Application – $65.00
License – 
Associate Broker – $170.00
Real Estate Broker – $170.00
Property Manager – $170.00
Salesperson – $130.00
 
Renewal
Associate Broker – $170.00 (Up to two years)
Real Estate Broker – $170.00 (Up to two years)
Property Manager – $170.00 (Up to two years)
Salesperson – $130.00 (Up to two years)
Late Renewal – $50.00
Examination/Re-examination – See Section 3500.3
 
Reinstated License
Associate Broker – $210.00
Real Estate Broker – $210.00
Property Manager – $210.00
Salesperson – $130.00
 
Inactive Status
Associate Broker – $210.00
Real Estate Broker – $210.00
Property Manager – $210.00
Salesperson – $130.00
 
Other Services
Duplicate License – $30.00
Verification of Records – $30.00
Transfer/License Exchange/Status change – $30.00
 
In addition, a fee of $60.00 shall be submitted for the Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund included in the licensee fees.
 
* Please note that according to D.C. Code § 47-2853.10, application fees for initial licensing, certification, registration, renewal and reinstatement shall not be refundable, even if the applicant withdraws his or her application for licensure, certification or registration, or is found to be not qualified.

Licensee

Renewal and Renewal Cycle

Broker, Company, Property Manager
Expiration Date: February 28; Renewal Year: Odd

Salesperson
Expiration Date: August 31; Renewal Year: Odd

Submit an application for renewal of an occupational or professional license.

Real Estate Commissions Updates/Requests
Real Estate Reinstatement/Activation Application
 
 

Consumer

 
It is unlawful for any person to practice discrimination in the rental or sale of housing accommodations and commercial space in the District of Columbia. If your complaint relates to discrimination or discriminatory practices, you may consider filing a complaint with the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights online or in person. You may also consider filing a consumer complaint with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
 

 

Calendar

Meeting Dates  

  • Tuesday, January 9, 2024
  • Tuesday, February 13, 2024
  • Tuesday, March 12, 2024
  • Tuesday, April 9, 2024
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2024
  • Tuesday, June 11, 2024
  • Tuesday, July 9, 2024
  • August (RECESS)
  • Tuesday, September 10, 2024
  • Tuesday, October 8, 2024
  • Tuesday, November 12, 2024
  • Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Contact Us

Board Members

Frank Pietranton – Chair, Broker
Ulani Gulstone – Vice Chair, Attorney Member
Edward Downs – Broker
Monique Owens – Property Manager
Elizabeth Blakeslee – Broker
Joe Borger – Property Manager
Ericka Black – Salesperson
Ramona Barber – Salesperson Member
Patrice Richardson – Consumer Member

To apply for a vacancy, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments for more information and an application.

 

Board Staff

Leon Lewis – Program Coordinator
Stacey Williams Price – Board Administrator
Brittney Cheshier – Program Support Specialist
Kendra Covington – Program Support Specialist
Kevin Cyrus – Education Coordinator
Kathy Thomas – Education Liaison
 
For more information, please contact Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL) using our online inquiry form, via email at [email protected], or by phone at (202) 442-4320.
 
Address: 1100 4th Street, SW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20024
Direct Email: [email protected]
 
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