I have a felony or misdemeanor on my record. Can I still become a Salesperson?

If you have a criminal conviction, you can ask the DOL to decide if you can get your Real Estate License. The review will not approve the license, it determines whether the type of conviction relates to the license.

This service is optional. The DOL will review your application before you take any required classes or exams or paying licensing fees. 

How to get screened

Online:

1. Sign up for a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account
2. Select "Add a new service" and choose "DOL Professional and Business Licensing"
3. Once the service has been added, choose the "Access Now" button which will direct you to the online portal for submission
4. Upon submission, the DOL will confirm receipt via email and provides a screening number for future access/reference

Mail:

1. Submit a completed Criminal Conviction Screening form. You can include supporting documents if you wish.
2. We’ll review the form and any documents to determine if you would be eligible to apply for a license. We may ask you for more information or documents so they can make an accurate decision.
3. We’ll give you a decision in writing within 60 days after receiving your request.

What you’ll need

You’ll need information for every criminal conviction that occurred within the last 5 years. Don’t include traffic convictions. Include details about:

• What led to the offense.
• Where it occurred.
• The date of conviction.
• Sentencing information (jail or prison time, fines, etc.).

Provide as much information as you can recall and any supporting documents. You can contact the county or district clerk where the conviction(s) occurred to get information.

Additional information and helpful resources can be found on DOL's Criminal Conviction Screen Page or you can contact the DOL using the information below: