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Washington license transfer

How to transfer your Washington real estate license to a new brokerage

In Washington you file the License Transfer and Activation form. It needs your old firm's designated broker or branch manager to sign, and your new firm's designated broker.

See the Washington stepsWhat to sort out first

Process checked against the Washington State Department of Licensing's own forms and portal on September 19, 2026. Boards change forms, so confirm there before you file.

WA transferChecked September 19, 2026
4 steps to move your license 1 2 3 4
Fee
See the form
Can you work?
Once DOL processes it

01At a glance

The Washington transfer, at a glance.

Who files, where, and your old broker's part. Fee and timing are up top.

Who filesYou, with both firms' signatures
WhereReal Estate License Transfer and Activation form (RE-620-004)
Old brokerYour old broker's part: has its designated broker or branch manager sign the form.

02Step by step

How the Washington transfer works

The Washington State Department of Licensing process, step by step.

  1. 1Tell your current firm you are leaving.

    Then download form RE-620-004 from the DOL forms page.

  2. 2Get your old firm's signature.

    The designated broker or branch manager signs it. DOL will not process it without them.

  3. 3Get your new firm's designated broker to sign.

    Then file it with DOL.

  4. 4Questions on your file.

    DOL real estate: 360-664-6488.

03Watch out

Where Washington transfers get stuck

Two signatures

Line up your old firm's signature early.

04Before you move

What to sort out before you switch

The state filing is the easy part. These are the things that cost agents money when they skip them.

Read your contract with your broker

Your independent contractor agreement sets your notice period, any fees you owe on the way out, and how deals that close after you leave get paid.

Listings stay with the brokerage

A listing agreement is a contract between the seller and the brokerage, not you. You can only take a listing with your old broker's written release and your seller's agreement.

Pending deals

Deals under contract usually close with your old brokerage, and your agreement decides how you are paid on them. Get it in writing before your last day.

MLS and association

Move your MLS and REALTOR® association membership to your new office so your access does not lapse.

Update every ad the same day

Signs, your website, social media and business cards must show your new brokerage once you move. State ad rules require the brokerage name.

CE and E&O

Several states will not complete a transfer while your continuing education is overdue or your errors and omissions cover has lapsed. Check both first.

05If you are looking

What changes if you move to AXEN

No commission split. You keep 100% and pay a flat fee per closing instead.

No commission split100%of your commission stays yours. You pay a flat fee per closing instead.
File fee on Pro$500a closing, capped at $6,000 a year.
Admin fee$295on every sale, even after the cap.
Platform fee$50/moor $500 a year.
Released pendings$0if your old brokerage releases a pending deal to AXEN.
Rev share5 levelsNo quota to unlock one. Not a promise of income.
Every AXEN fee, in fullFile fee, small sales, leases, admin, platform, pendings and rev share.
  • File fee: $500 a closing on Pro, capped at $6,000 a year. $1,000 on Elite, capped at $12,000. After the cap it is $0 until your AXEN anniversary.
  • Small sales: under $2,500 of commission, the file fee is 10% of it instead.
  • Leases, rentals and referrals: 10% of the commission, never more than $500 on Pro or $1,000 on Elite, plus a $50 admin fee.
  • $295 admin fee on every sale, even after the cap. Most of it pays your Deal Desk coordinator and state broker.
  • Platform fee: $50 a month, $500 a year, or $600 taken from your first closing.
  • Released pendings: if your old brokerage releases a pending deal to AXEN, AXEN charges $0 on it.
  • Rev share: 5 levels, no quota to unlock one. Not a promise of income.

These are costs, not an earnings claim. Your income depends on your own sales.

See every AXEN fee, compare the math on AXEN vs eXp vs Real fees, or look inside the AXEN portal for free. Our Washington broker handles the new-broker side of this for agents joining AXEN. See the Washington guide.

06Straight answers

Washington license transfer questions

Short answers. Tap a question to open it.

How long does it take to transfer a Washington real estate license?

You can start working with your new brokerage once DOL processes it. How fast that comes depends mostly on how quickly both brokers act.

How much does it cost to transfer a Washington real estate license?

DOL lists any fee on form RE-620-004.

Does my old broker have to do anything in Washington?

Yes. Your old firm's designated broker or branch manager must sign the transfer form.

What happens to my listings when I change brokerages?

Listings belong to the brokerage, not the agent. You can only take one with your old broker's written release and the seller's agreement.

Does my old firm have to sign my Washington transfer?

Yes. Their designated broker or branch manager signs form RE-620-004.

Can I transfer my license to AXEN?

Yes. AXEN is licensed in Washington, and our Washington broker handles the new-broker side of the transfer. Start at axenrealty.com/join.

Moving your license to AXEN?

Our Washington broker handles the new-broker side of this for agents joining AXEN. Look inside the portal first. It is free.

Look inside the AXEN portal for free See every AXEN fee Washington guide

AXEN Realty, LLC. Commissions are negotiable and are not set by any brokerage. These are costs, not an earnings claim. Your income depends on your own sales.