Washington Real Estate Exam Practice Questions
Practice questions covering Washington-specific topics including the Law of Agency Act, seller disclosure Form 17, deed of trust rules, and DOL licensing requirements.
Washington Real Estate Exam Practice Questions
The Washington real estate exam contains 130 questions: 80 national and 50 state-specific. You need 70% on each section to pass — that means 56 correct on the national portion and 35 correct on the state portion. These practice questions focus on the state section, which is where most candidates struggle.
Agency Questions
Q: Under Washington's Law of Agency Act, when must a licensee disclose which party they represent?
A: At the first meeting with a party to a prospective transaction. Washington requires agency disclosure earlier than many states — do not wait until an offer is written.
Q: A buyer's agent in Washington wishes to show a property listed by their own firm. What type of agency relationship is permitted?
A: Dual agency with written informed consent from both buyer and seller. Washington also permits a firm to appoint separate designated brokers for each party.
Q: Who holds earnest money in a typical Washington transaction?
A: The closing agent (escrow company), not the listing broker. This is a major Washington distinction. The broker does not typically hold earnest money.
Disclosure Questions
Q: What is the Seller Disclosure Statement in Washington commonly called?
A: Form 17. It is required for most residential sales. Sellers must complete it within 5 business days of signing a purchase agreement, and buyers have 3 business days to rescind after receiving it.
Q: Which properties are exempt from Washington's Form 17 requirement?
A: Transfers between co-owners, inherited property, court-ordered transfers, new construction with a public offering statement, and certain REO (bank-owned) sales.
Finance and Taxation Questions
Q: Washington imposes a Real Estate Excise Tax (REET). What is the rate structure?
A: Graduated rates: 1.1% on the first $525,000 of the sale price, 1.28% up to $1.525 million, 2.75% up to $3.025 million, and 3% on amounts above $3.025 million (rates set by RCW 82.45).
Q: Washington is a community property state. What does this mean for a married couple's real estate?
A: Property acquired during marriage is presumed to be owned equally by both spouses, regardless of whose name appears on the deed. Both spouses must sign to convey community property.
Licensing Questions
Q: How many pre-license education hours are required to become a real estate broker (salesperson) in Washington?
A: 90 hours, including a 60-hour fundamentals course and a 30-hour practices course, all administered through the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL).
Q: What is the Washington real estate license renewal period and CE requirement?
A: Licenses renew every 2 years. Brokers must complete 30 hours of continuing education, including a mandatory 3-hour core curriculum each cycle.
Q: A Washington broker wants to operate independently. What license must they obtain?
A: A Managing Broker license. Brokers in Washington must work under a Managing Broker for at least 2 years before qualifying to become a Managing Broker themselves.
Quick Review
Washington exam priorities: agency disclosure timing, Form 17 requirements and rescission period, earnest money held by closing agent (not broker), REET graduated rates, community property rules, and the distinction between Broker, Managing Broker, and Designated Broker license levels. These topics appear consistently in the state section.
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