--- title: "Washington real estate website advertising rules" description: "Check Washington firm-name disclosures, team branding, approval, social media, IDX, license-number questions, and fair housing wording. Washington real…" canonical: "https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/website-rules-washington" --- ## Site navigation - [Scale With Search](https://scalewithsearch.com/) - Real estate - Real estate - [Real estate](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate) - Work - Start here - [Send your brief](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#send-your-brief) - [Prepare your six-question brief](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#prepare-your-six-question-brief) - Build - [Site build, content library with SEO, signal desk](https://scalewithsearch.com/work) - For your business - Trades and home services - [Auto body and collision shops](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/auto-body-and-collision-shops) - [Foundation and home repair contractors](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/foundation-and-home-repair) - [Garage door and fencing contractors](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/garage-door-and-fencing-contractors) - [HVAC contractors](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/hvac-contractors) - [Janitorial and commercial cleaning companies](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/janitorial-and-commercial-cleaning) - 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That requirement covers advertising on your own website. Unlicensed team brands have additional restrictions. The starting authority is [RCW 18.85.361(8)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.85.361). Read: 2026.10.10. Use the rules below to check your pages and ads. Carry the approved requirements into your [real estate website brief](/for/real-estate). Confirm with your broker. ## Include the firm’s licensed name RCW 18.85.361(8) requires the firm name or licensed assumed name in a “clear and conspicuous manner.” [RCW 18.85.361(8)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.85.361). Read: 2026.10.10. The administrative rule specifies “firm name or an assumed name as licensed.” It expressly covers internet advertising, web pages, and email. [WAC 308-124B-210(1)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124B-210). Read: 2026.10.10. DOL guidance says a firm logo or website address “does not qualify” as the licensed name disclosure. [Advertising Guidelines, printed page 4](https://dol.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/real-estate-advertising-guidelines.pdf#page=7). Read: 2026.10.10. There is a specific exception for licensees advertising personally owned property. They “must only disclose that they hold a real estate license.” [RCW 18.85.361(8)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.85.361). Read: 2026.10.10. ## Make the name visible where the advertisement appears The statutory test is whether the name is “readily noticed and understood.” Color, contrast, size, audibility, and presentation determine that test. [RCW 18.85.011(4)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.85.011). Read: 2026.10.10. These cited provisions specify visibility without prescribing a header, footer, pixel size, or name-size ratio. A footer location alone does not establish visibility. For an owned or controlled website, DOL guidance recommends firm and broker licensed names on “every viewable page,” including framed pages. [Advertising Guidelines, printed page 5](https://dol.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/real-estate-advertising-guidelines.pdf#page=8). Read: 2026.10.10. As a practical check, open a property page directly on your phone. Inspect the name without visiting the homepage first. Repeat on desktop. ## Check the team name’s licensing status The following conditions apply when a broker uses a name, title, or brand without obtaining an assumed name license. | Citation | Exact excerpt | What it controls | Read | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [WAC 308-124B-210(2)(a)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124B-210) | “clear and conspicuous” | Display the firm’s licensed name alongside the brand. | 2026.10.10 | | [WAC 308-124B-210(2)(b)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124B-210) | “separate and distinct” | The brand cannot imply a separate legal entity. | 2026.10.10 | | [WAC 308-124B-210(2)(c)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124B-210) | “realty,” “realtors,” “firm,” “real estate” | Avoid names commonly understood as a firm or office. | 2026.10.10 | | [WAC 308-124B-210(2)(d)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124B-210) | “advance written approval” | Obtain the designated broker’s approval before using the brand. | 2026.10.10 | For a licensed assumed name, DOL requires an “assumed name endorsement” attached to the firm license. Verify that status before treating a team brand as the licensed firm identity. [DOL: Assumed names, Who needs a license?](https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/real-estate-firms/assumed-names-real-estate-firms). Read: 2026.10.10. ## Follow the firm’s advertising approval process The express advance-written-approval rule above concerns an unlicensed title or brand. It does not state that every individual post needs separate written approval. Designated broker delegations must address “advertising.” The designated broker’s written policy must address “Levels of supervision.” [WAC 308-124C-125(8)(b), (9)(b)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124C-125). Read: 2026.10.10. Confirm with your broker how the firm reviews website changes and online ads. Record the approved version and responsible reviewer. ## Apply the online guidance to social media DOL guidance recommends prominent, understandable firm and broker name disclosure “no more than one click away.” It also addresses one-click disclosure for banners and multimedia ads. [Advertising Guidelines, printed page 5](https://dol.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/real-estate-advertising-guidelines.pdf#page=8). Read: 2026.10.10. That is agency guidance. The statute’s firm-name requirement still governs the advertisement. Confirm with your broker how the proposed format satisfies both. ## Keep license-number requirements separate from name disclosure No blanket website license-number requirement was identified in the cited advertising provisions or DOL’s online advertising guidance. WAC 308-124B-200(1) concerns license availability “at the address appearing on the individual license.” It does not prescribe a website license-number field. [WAC 308-124B-200(1)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-124B-200). Read: 2026.10.10. The advertising provisions above require licensed names. Any additional number-display requirement from your firm or MLS agreement is UNRESOLVED for your site. Confirm with your broker. ## Check IDX permissions, accuracy, and disclosure For other firms’ listings, DOL’s guide says brokers “must have an agreement.” It calls for timely material updates and written correction requests to third-party providers. [Advertising Guidelines, printed pages 18–19](https://dol.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/real-estate-advertising-guidelines.pdf#page=21). Read: 2026.10.10. The guide also directs compliance with “applicable multiple listing service rules.” [Advertising Guidelines, printed page 3](https://dol.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/real-estate-advertising-guidelines.pdf#page=6). Read: 2026.10.10. These sources do not supply universal IDX attribution wording or a fixed refresh interval. Your feed’s listing-credit text, notices, and placement remain UNRESOLVED. Confirm with your broker. ## Check fair housing wording and any required symbol Washington prohibits advertisements indicating discriminatory intent through a “limitation, specification, or discrimination.” The statute identifies protected characteristics, including race, disability, and families with children status. [RCW 49.60.222(1), (1)(g)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=49.60.222). Read: 2026.10.10. As an editing practice, describe property features. Review language suggesting who should live there. No blanket agent-website logo or fixed statement requirement was identified in these Washington advertising provisions or DOL’s fair housing section. [Advertising Guidelines, printed page 11](https://dol.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/real-estate-advertising-guidelines.pdf#page=14). Read: 2026.10.10. Any property-program or MLS requirement for a symbol, statement, or placement is UNRESOLVED here. Confirm with your broker. ## Keep advertising claims supportable The license law reaches false statements the licensee could have discovered through “reasonable care and inquiry.” [RCW 18.85.361(2)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.85.361). Read: 2026.10.10. Check property status, descriptions, and service claims before publishing. Keep supporting material with the approved copy. ## A short website checklist Use this as a review record. It combines the cited requirements with practical checks. - [ ] Match the displayed firm identity to the licensed firm or licensed assumed name. - [ ] Check its visibility on phone and desktop. - [ ] Review each page’s firm and broker name disclosure. - [ ] Verify team-name status and required advance written approval. - [ ] Follow the firm’s review process for ads and revisions. - [ ] Test the social disclosure path. - [ ] Resolve any additional license-number requirement. - [ ] Confirm listing permissions, material updates, and feed-specific IDX notices. - [ ] Review housing descriptions and resolve any applicable logo or statement requirement. - [ ] Retain sources for property and service claims. Record each affected URL, the required change, and the broker’s confirmation. ## Related: Real estate - [Check your real estate website in 30 minutes](/articles/real-estate-website-audit) - [Test the seller inquiry path on your real estate website](/articles/seller-inquiry-path-agent-website) - [Own your real estate website: domain, hosting, editing, and leads](/articles/own-your-site) ---- ```text .|########||. .|########||. .|########||. |##||. .||##|. |##||. .||##|. |##||. .||##|. |#|. .|#|. |#|. .|#|. |#|. .|#|. |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#. .#| .#. .#| .#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| .# ||#########| #| .# ||#########| #| .# ||#########| #| .#. |######||######|. .#. .#. |######||######|. .#. .#. |######||######|. .#. #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# # .||####|###########################|. # # .||####|###########################|. # # .||####|###########################|. # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || #. .######|#|#########| .# #. .######|#|#########| .# #. .######|#|#########| .# .#. |#####||||#####| .#. .#. |#####||||#####| .#. .#. |#####||||#####| .#. |# ||########|| #. |# ||########|| #. |# ||########|| #. |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#. |#. .#. |#. .#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. |##||. .||##| |##||. .||##| |##||. .||##| .||########||. .||########||. .||########||. 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