DOL Announces Increase in Real Estate Fees

As you may recall, in 2019 the Department of Licensing (DOL) proposed a general real estate fee increase to take effect in the fall of 2020. Those increases were delayed in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the DOL is resuming the effort to increase these fees in order to bring the Real Estate Account into good standing. In accordance with RCW 43.24.086, DOL is required to set real estate fees “at a sufficient level to defray the costs of administering that program.”

These fees have not been changed since 2010 and are insufficient to sustain the real estate program. The DOL has determined the proposed fee increases below are necessary to continue to provide the information technology systems, staffing levels, and other critical services needed to support licensees and maintain public safety. Below is a table that outlines the complete list of proposed fee increases for the real estate program and the amount these fees will be raised.

The DOL intends to have the new fees in place by late summer 2021.

If you have questions or would like to share any concerns, please email Ellis Starrett, Rules and Policy Manager, at [email protected]. Read more

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July 22, 2021: Membership Meeting

July 22, 2021 @ 12PM-1:30PM

Membership Meeting

Lessons Learned from Long Island Divided

Would YOU pass the test on fair housing? Pulitzer Prize winner and No. 1 bestselling author Bill Dedman is ready to take you on a guided tour inside Newsday’s three-year investigation Long Island Divided and its documentary film Testing the Divide — raising awareness of illegal steering by real estate agents. As one of the lead reporters, Bill developed the methodology for the investigation, including recruiting, training, and deploying 25 testers with hidden cameras. In this special fair housing membership meeting you’ll discover:

  • How were the tests conducted?
  • What were the major findings?
  • How can agents avoid steering?
  • Can agents talk about schools?
  • How can agents ensure fair treatment?

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the shocking investigation that prompted NAR to make sweeping changes to its approach to housing discrimination — including the addition of anti-bias training, the review of state licensing laws for agents, and the creation of Fairhaven, NAR’s recently launched self-testing fair housing simulation!

Register for the meeting at:

http://bit.ly/PACMLSmm0722

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DOL License Renewals: Please Be Proactive!

The Department of Licensing has modified their licensing processes, for both new applications and renewals. Some agents have experienced delays and hurdles in getting their information processed in a timely manner.

All license requests must be submitted online through the Secure Access Washington portal – do not send any paperwork to the DOL through the mail!

Additionally, the DOL is requiring agents to submit new fingerprints if they do not have any on file dated in the past six years.

We are asking you to be mindful of your license expiration date and to renew at least two weeks in advance to avoid any processing issues.

Please keep the following advisories in mind when you go to renew your license:

  • You must create a SAW profile and renew by adding the Professional Licensing service to your account
  • Once you create an account, you must link your existing license to your profile before you can process a renewal request
  • If the state requires you to submit new fingerprints, schedule through indentogo.com. This vendor takes digital fingerprints and sends them directly to the state on your behalf. There are several facilities in our area that offer this service and it is the preferred method of the DOL. They are quick and efficient and the state typically receives and processes your fingerprints within three business days
  • The renewal fee is $146.25 and fingerprints (if required) are $42.30
  • At time of renewal, you must sign an affidavit verifying you have taken all of your required continuing education credits. You do not need to submit your certificates of completion unless you are audited

If you have any licensing questions, please call our office at (509) 783-2184 and ask to speak to Rosalyn Drury.

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