Virginia Real Estate Commission
Your easy guide to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Your resource hub as a real estate salesperson or broker in Virginia.
We know how challenging it can be to navigate complex departmental and commission websites, so we’ve created this guide to help real estate professionals in Virginia access documents and get their departmental-related questions answered. Whether you’re looking for an application or need to know how to contact the Department, this guide has you covered.
Basic Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation information.
Location:
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive,
Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233-1485
DPOR Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Licensing Center Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Contacting the Department:
The Department prefers all inquiries be submitted online through their Contact Us page.
You can also call the Department’s Licensing Section at 804.367.8526, or the Education Section at 804.367.2406. They’re available by phone Monday – Friday, from 8:15 AM – 5 PM.
Files, applications, and important documents.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common forms and resources you’ll need to get licensed and maintain your license in Virginia. If you can’t find what you’re looking for below, check out the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation website. A few documents can only be found inside the Department’s online services portal, where licensees apply for licensing and manage their accounts.
| Form Title | Form Description |
|---|---|
| eLicense Online Portal | The eLicense portal is where you’ll submit your applications, submit your CE, renew your license, and upload any necessary documents. |
| How to Apply for a License | Read about how to apply for your real estate license here. |
| Renew Online | Renew your license here. |
| Salesperson Transfer Application (to a Firm or Sole Proprietorship) | If you are a salesperson, you may transfer to a firm or sole proprietorship using this application. |
| RE Salesperson Activate/Transfer License | The RE Salesperson Form is used to activate your real estate license or transfer it from another state. You must hold a non-expired salesperson license to use this application. Make sure to renew or reinstate your license before submitting this application. |
| License Inactivate Application: Salesperson or Associate Broker | Inactivate your salesperson or associate broker license using this application. |
| Branch Affiliation Application | To affiliate yourself with a branch, use this application. |
| Credit Card Payment Form | Here is your credit card payment form to pay any fees or payments to DPOR. This form may be used for credit card payments only. |
| Broker License Application | Apply for your broker’s license here. |
| Broker - Universal License Recognition | Complete this application to get licensed in Virginia if you qualify as an out-of-state applicant who already holds a valid license or certification in another state. |
| Concurrent Broker License Application | Apply for a concurrent broker license using this application. |
| IN-STATE Experience Verification Form | This form must be completed by a principal broker or supervising broker who can attest to the applicant's real estate sales experience during the required time period. |
| OUT-OF-STATE Experience Verification Form | This form must be completed by a principal broker or supervising broker who can attest to the applicant's real estate sales experience during the required time period. |
| Settlement Agent Registration | Use this form to register to become a settlement agent in the state of Virginia. |
| Broker Activate Application | Activate your broker’s license using this application. |
| Broker Transfer Application | Transfer your broker’s license to an associate broker, principal broker, or sole proprietorship using this application. |
| License Inactivate Application: Principal Broker or Sole Proprietor | To place your principal broker license on inactive status, close your firm, or close your proprietorship, use this form. |
| License Inactivate Application: Associate Broker | To place your associate broker’s license on inactive status, use this form. |
| Branch Affiliation Application | Notify the DPOR of your affiliation with a branch with the Branch Affiliation Application. |
| Termination of Branch Affiliation Application | To notify DPOR of your termination with a branch affiliation, use this application. |
| Death or Disability of a Real Estate Broker | Use this form to designate another licensed broker to carry on a business for the sole purpose of concluding the business in the event of the designating broker's death or disability. |
| Signature Authority Form | This form gives signature authority to an Associate Broker as long as they hold a current license with your firm. |
| Broker Acknowledgement Form for Online Approvals | This application is only to be used when a Principal/Supervising Broker must approve a DPOR online transaction for a Salesperson transferring his/her license to another place of business and cannot complete this process online. |
| Exchange Broker-to-Salesperson License Form | Exchange your broker license for a salesperson license using this form. |
| Real Estate Name/Address Change Form - Individual | Use this form to notify the DPOR of a recent address change or name change. |
| Certification Request Form | The Certification Request Form requests documentation of your Virginia license status. The charge for a Certification of Regulant Status is $35.00 |
| Disciplinary Action Reporting Form | Licensee holders can use this form to report a new disciplinary action against their real estate license to DPOR. |
| DPOR Criminal Conviction Reporting Form | If you already have a real estate license and must report your criminal conviction to the DPOR, use this form. |
FAQs: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
What are the continuing education requirements for real estate salespersons and brokers in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation requires that real estate salespersons and associate brokers complete 16 hours of continuing education from an approved DPOR school. These courses ensure that agents stay up-to-date on industry requirements, expectations, and trends. Your CE must be completed every 24 months and is required to maintain licensure. After you complete the coursework, you must submit your continuing education here.
If you’re ready to get started on your Continuing Education, sign up for 16 hours of continuing education today.
What are the continuing education requirements for real estate brokers in Virginia?
Continuing education is required to keep your knowledge up-to-date, and your license active. Real estate brokers must complete 24 hours of continuing education from an approved DPOR school every 24 months in order to maintain their licenses. After you finish your coursework, you will need to submit your continuing education online.
If you’re ready to get started on your broker continuing education, sign up to fulfill your CE requirements today.
Can I renew my license without submitting my CE credits?
No. Licensing renewal cannot occur until all continuing education courses are completed.
What are the steps to become a real estate agent in Virginia?
Here is a quick breakdown of becoming a real estate salesperson in Virginia:
- Complete Your Pre-Licensing Education.Becoming a real estate Salesperson in Virginia starts with 60 hours of education. This serves as the learning core before you can take the state exam.
- Take and Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam.You must pass the proctored Virginia Real Estate Exam. Learn more about online proctoring.
- Apply for Your Real Estate License. To apply, you’ll need to create an account on the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation web portal. The application requires proof of real estate education, various documents (think social security cards and work history), and verification that you’ve found a sponsoring broker. Once your application is approved, you’ll be ready to start working as an agent.
For a more comprehensive explanation of the licensing steps, take a look at our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Virginia. If you’re ready to start your pre-licensing education today, you can sign up for one of our approved online packages. Also consider exploring our Free Trial for the Virginia Real Estate Agent Pre-Licensing course. We proudly boast one of the highest pass rates in Virginia!
How soon must I report a change in my personal information to the DPOR?
Salespersons and brokers must keep the DPOR informed of their current name and home address. Changes of name and address must be reported to the board in writing within 30 calendar days of change.
How do I reinstate my license?
All active new salesperson licensees are required to complete a Board-approved 30-hour post-license education (PLE) curriculum within one year from the last day of the month in which the license was issued in order to remain on active status. If you don’t complete your post-licensing, your license will be placed on inactive status.
To re-activate your license:
- Complete the 30-hour post-license education (PLE) requirement.
- Submit a Salesperson Activate/Transfer Application with the required fee.
Will my criminal history prevent me from getting a real estate license in Virginia?
If you have a criminal history, you can petition the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for a pre-determination of whether your background will disqualify you from getting a real estate license. You must fill out this form and submit it to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
What is Virginia’s out-of-state recognition/reciprocity policy for real estate agents?
Virginia is a full reciprocity state. This generally means that any licensed real estate agent or broker who relocates to the state can easily transfer their license.
To apply for a Virginia Salesperson or Broker license by reciprocity if you hold a current and valid Salesperson or Broker license in a neighboring state (District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, or West Virginia), you must meet the following conditions:
- There are no pending investigations or unresolved complaints against you;
- You do not have a disqualifying criminal record as determined by the Board; and
- No other state has imposed discipline on you, except for discipline involving only a financial penalty and no harm to the health or economic well-being of the public.
To apply for a Virginia Salesperson license by reciprocity if you hold a current and valid Salesperson license in a non-neighboring state, you must meet the conditions for individuals licensed in neighboring states listed above in addition to the following:
- Pass the State portion of the exam;
- Submit verification of completion of a 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course; and
- Submit letters of certification from other jurisdictions where licensed.
To apply for a Virginia Broker license by reciprocity if you hold a current and valid Broker license in a non-neighboring state, you must meet the conditions for individuals licensed in neighboring states listed above in addition to the following:
- Pass the State portion of the exam;
- Submit verification of experience (you must be actively engaged as a Salesperson or Broker for three out of the four years preceding application for licensure);
- 3. Submit verification of completion of 180 hours of broker pre-licensing courses substantially equivalent to Virginia’s real estate education requirements; and
- Submit letters of certification from other jurisdictions where licensed.