Obtaining a WA real estate license requires pre-licensing education from one of the approved real estate schools in Washington, passing an exam, and background checks. Individuals with felonies or misdemeanors on their criminal record may still qualify for this privilege by providing additional documentation.
It is best to be truthful with your state real estate department when applying for a license. Lying or withholding information could ultimately disqualify you from receiving one.
Washington Real Estate License Background Check
Background checks are an integral component of obtaining a Washington real estate license. They help the state detect and screen out applicants who may pose risks to themselves or others, thus confirming your integrity as an ethical agent with no criminal records. With this process, the state ensures you receive every benefit of being an ethical agent with an impeccable record.
When applying to become a real estate agent or broker in Washington State, the state will review your criminal history and fingerprinting report in order to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for a license.
Felony Convictions
If you have a felony conviction, it is possible that the background check will flag your application. The department will consider the type and level of crime, how it relates to your profession, and when you were convicted. They also want to know if there have been any charges, court orders, or other actions taken against you since your conviction.
Applicants who have been convicted of conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, forgery, extortion, or larceny will face greater difficulty getting a license. Furthermore, the commission wants to know more about any other criminal activities you may have been involved in as well as if you were underage at the time of the offense.
However, if you can provide documentation that clearly explains your situation and why the charge or judgment was filed against you, then it should be possible to resolve the matter. This could include charging documents, court orders, disciplinary letters, or other evidence proving the charges were valid.
The background check process differs by state but typically includes county-wide searches and other jurisdictional inquiries, fingerprinting through an approved facility, or submission of a fingerprint card. These checks are run by the Department of Justice to look for any arrests, convictions, or charges that might have affected your eligibility to obtain a real estate license.
Getting a Waiver
In Washington State, it is possible to acquire a real estate license despite having a felony record. However, the Department of Licensing will conduct an extensive background investigation in order to confirm your eligibility for licensure.
Your past criminal history will be visible during the application and fingerprinting process for a real estate license. Therefore, it’s essential that you provide complete and accurate information on this form so the Department of Licensing has all relevant facts before making a determination.
Convictions of violent crimes such as sexual assault, aggravated robbery, and drug offenses may prevent you from obtaining a real estate license. On the other hand, if the offense was non-violent and not considered a threat to public safety and was committed years ago and you followed court mandates at that time, then there is more of a chance that getting your license will be easier.
A felony is a serious offense and can carry with it an extensive prison sentence. In most states, felons cannot obtain real estate licenses until after serving five years of their sentence.
The board will evaluate your case on an individual basis, taking into account the nature and level of conviction as well as any impact it has had on your ability to practice real estate. They may also look into whether the offense was related to your profession and how long has passed since it occurred.
To guarantee you receive a waiver, submit a letter from your probation officer on official letterhead confirming that you are free from all supervision and have not been charged with either a felony or misdemeanor in five years. Furthermore, the commission will require proof that all court orders have been fulfilled and sanctions complete.
While you might be able to get a real estate license in Washington state if you have a felony, it’s certainly not a guarantee. You want to check and make sure you can get your real estate license before you start investing money and time into the process. Make sure the felony on your record won’t disqualify you first.