(1) A person desiring a license as a real estate firm shall apply on a form prescribed by the director. A person desiring a license as a real estate broker or managing broker must pay an examination fee and pass an examination. The person shall apply for an examination and for a license on a form prescribed by the director. Concurrently, the applicant shall:

     (a) Furnish other proof as the director may require concerning the honesty, truthfulness, and good reputation, as well as the identity, which may include fingerprints and criminal background checks, of any applicants for a license, or of the officers of a corporation, limited liability company, other legally recognized business entity, or the partners of a limited liability partnership or partnership, making the application;

     (b) If the applicant is a corporation, furnish a certified copy of its articles of incorporation, and a list of its officers and directors and their addresses. If the applicant is a foreign corporation, the applicant shall furnish a certified copy of certificate of authority to conduct business in the state of Washington, a list of its officers and directors and their addresses, and evidence of current registration with the secretary of state. If the applicant is a limited liability company or other legally recognized business entity, the applicant shall furnish a list of the members and managers of the company and their addresses. If the applicant is a limited liability partnership or partnership, the applicant shall furnish a list of the partners thereof and their addresses;

     (c) Unless the applicant is a corporation or limited liability company, complete a fingerprint-based background check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system and through the federal bureau of investigation. The applicant must submit the fingerprints and required fee for the background check to the director for submission to the Washington state patrol. The director may consider the recent issuance of a license that required a fingerprint-based national criminal information background check, or recent employment in a position that required a fingerprint-based national criminal information background check, in addition to fingerprints to accelerate the licensing and endorsement process. The director may adopt rules to establish a procedure to allow a person covered by this section to have the person's background rechecked under this subsection upon application for a renewal license.

     (2) The director must develop by rule a procedure and schedule to ensure all applicants for licensure have a fingerprint and background check done on a regular basis.

[2008 c 23 § 17; 1997 c 322 § 8; 1987 c 332 § 4; 1980 c 72 § 1; 1979 c 25 § 1. Prior: 1977 ex.s. c 370 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 24 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 42 § 1; 1953 c 235 § 6; 1951 c 222 § 10. Formerly: (i) 1947 c 203 § 1, part; 1945 c 111 § 3, part; 1943 c 118 § 2, part; 1941 c 252 § 11, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 8340-34, part; prior: 1925 ex.s. c 129 §§ 10, 11. (ii) 1947 c 203 § 3; 1945 c 111 § 6; 1941 c 252 § 16; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 8340-39. Formerly RCW 18.85.120.]