Wash. Rev. Code » Title 18 · Chapter 18.85
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 18.85.331 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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It is unlawful for any person to act as a real estate broker, managing broker, or real estate firm without first obtaining a license therefor, and otherwise complying with the provisions of this chapter.
No suit or action shall be brought for the collection of compensation as a real estate broker, real estate firm, managing broker, or designated broker, without alleging and proving that the plaintiff was a duly licensed real estate broker, managing broker, or real estate firm before the time of offering to perform any real estate transaction or procuring any promise or contract for the payment of compensation for any contemplated real estate transaction.
[ 2008 c 23 s 15; 1997 c 322 s 6; 1972 ex.s. c 139 s 9; 1951 c 222 s 8. Formerly: (i) 1941 c 252 s 6; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 8340-29. (ii) 1941 c 252 s 25; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 8340-48. Formerly RCW 18.85.100.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2011–2023 · leading case: Hickethier v. State Dept. of Licensing, 244 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011).
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Hickethier v. State Dept. of Licensing, 244 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “RCW 18.85.331,.411. A broker is a person who performs real estate brokerage services, including renting real estate, negotiating or offering to negotiate the rental of real estate, holding oneself out to the public by any representation that one is engaged in real estate…”
Hickethier v. Dep't of Licensing, 159 Wash. App. 203 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “RCW 18.85.331, .411. A “broker” is a person who performs real estate brokerage services, including renting real estate, negotiating or offering to negotiate the rental of real estate, holding oneself out to the public by any representation that one is engaged in real estate…”
Janice Greenlee, V. Matthew F. Barnes (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 5× “331 requires a real estate broker to be licensed in Washington before offering to perform a real estate transaction or procure a promise or contract for the payment of compensation for performing any real estate transaction: It is unlawful for any person to act as a real estate…”
Howard Seelig & Beatrice Seelig, Apps. v. 308 Fourth Avenue South Jt. Venture, Res. (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 4× “2 The respondents incorrectly quoted RCW 18.85.331, the statute central to its argument on the management services claim.”
Fabian Vaksman v. Bruce Lystad (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “Vaksman also argued that when Cynthia Lystad issued the three-day notice, she was acting as an unlicensed managing broker in violation of RCW 18.85.331. On December 22, Snohomish County Sheriff Deputy Ross served the writ of restitution on Vaksman.”
Howard Seelig & Beatrice Seelig v. 308 Fourth Avenue South Jt. Venture (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “'"2 Although the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, if that party is the plaintiff and it fails to make a factual showing sufficient to establish an element essential to its case, summary judgment is warranted.”
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