Difference between real estate agent and broker in Washington State?

Agents must be employed by a Broker.

Like the other poster said, agents are employed by brokers. You cannot become a broker until you've been an agent for at least X months (depends on the state). Every real estate brokerage must have a managing broker and that is what allows them to hire agents. Only if the broker has certain licenses can the agents in that brokerage us those licenses. For example, if your broker has a property management license, then agents contracted/employed with that brokerage can also take their property management license and use it. If the broker does not have a property management license and the agent does, the agent still cannot use that license to conduct business. This is important when it comes time to choose a brokerage and you want to do property management, rentals etc.

Real estate brokers have more experience than agents. That is why you need to gain a lot of experience on bank foreclosures, mortgages, and other subjects in order to become one.