Real estate news

October 2021

New mandatory education – fair housing requirements

What’s happening?

We've begun the process for implementing Substitute Senate Bill 5378. This bill requires education on fair housing for:

New broker licensees.
Managing broker licensees.
Renewals.

The new law goes into effect on June 1, 2022.

Active brokers and managing brokers

You must take a fair housing education course as part of the required 30-hour instruction. The first active renewal after June 1, 2022 must include a 6-hour course on fair housing. You must complete a 3-hour course every time you renew afterwards.

New brokers

You will receive a 3-hour fair housing instruction as part of the normal 90-hour pre-licensing curriculum. You'll also get an extra 3-hours as part of the 90-hour curriculum with your first license renewal.

Our next steps

Hire an institutional designer to create the course curriculum.
Identify stakeholders and reach out for industry input.
Update our online licensing system.
Propose rulemaking to include stakeholder feedback.

Questions? Need help?

Email us: DOLEducation5378@dol.wa.gov.
Subscribe to our Real Estate Program LISTSERV.

March 2021

New customer service hours

What is happening?

Starting on Monday March 25th, our customer service hours are changing. This helps us provide better service to you. We have increased the number of staff that will be available for phones calls. We will be able to take calls during these times:

Monday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Why is this happening?

Our team has been experiencing a high volume of phone calls and emails resulting in long wait times. Dedicating certain hours during the week to answer phone calls will allow us more time to:

Process licenses faster.
Respond to emails timely.
Reduce long wait times over the phone.

What does this mean to you?

If you need to speak with a staff member, you will only be able to reach us during the hours listed above. You will not be able to reach a staff member outside of these hours. If you need immediate help on an urgent issue outside of our phone hours, email us at RealEstate@dol.wa.gov.