Common Questions About Licensing & Real Estate Careers in Virginia

• Complete 60 Hours of Virginia Approved Pre-Licensing Education. Successfully complete 60 hours of approved Pre-Licensing salesperson courses.
• Pass the Final Course Exam. You must complete the final proctored exam with a minimum score of 75% to pass.
• Pass the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam. The state exam is 120 questions long, with an allotted 150-minute window of time to complete it. This is comprised of 80 national questions and 40 state questions. When you schedule your exam, you’ll need to have a photo of yourself prepared as well.
• Complete Fingerprints and a Background Check. You’ll need to get your fingerprints and background check done within the state of Virginia, and then you have 45 days to send your completed application to the Real Estate Board.
• Select a Sponsoring Broker. Before you apply to be a licensed Virginia Real Estate Salesperson, you need to find a Virginia sponsoring (employing) broker. It's important to find the right broker to work with, as your broker will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate.
• Complete the License Application. Complete and submit your Virginia real estate salesperson license application with a $210 fee. Online applications are recommended.

You must take and pass the required 60-hour Pre-Licensing coursework hours from an approved education provider to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in Virginia. If you treat your education like a 40-hour workweek, you can finish your education in as little as 1.5 weeks! However, it's more realistic (and likely more effective learning!) to take your time with these courses — most students take a few months to complete their coursework at their own pace.

Examples below:

• Pre-Licensing education in Virginia may cost between $300-600.
• The state exam fee costs $60.
• Viriginia’s application fee is $210.

The State of Virginia says you must be at least 18 years of age to get your Virginia Real Estate Salesperson License.

When you apply for your license, you can disclose any criminal history in a separate form. The Virginia Real Estate Board will review the nature of the crimes and decide if you qualify to receive a license. Violent crimes and fraud are more likely to negatively impact the board's decision, but are not automatically disqualifying.

The examination fee for the Virginia real estate salesperson license is $60. The fee is the same for a broker license exam.

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:

1. Your license is in good standing with no reported pending complaints;
2. You have not been subject to professional discipline involving harm to the public or license probation, suspension, or revocation;
3. Submit to fingerprinting and disclose (a) all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury within five years of the date of the application and (b) all felony convictions;
4. Pay the reciprocity application fee; and
5. Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam.

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:

1. Submit verification of completion of a 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course; and
2. 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:

1. 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);
2. Submit verification of completion of 180 hours of broker pre-licensing courses substantially equivalent to Virginia’s real estate education requirements; and
3. Submit letters of certification from other jurisdictions where licensed.

New Salespersons must complete the 30-hour Post-License Education requirement within one year from the last day of the month in which the license was issued in order to remain on active status. No Continuing Education is required of new Salespersons in their first two-year license term.

Salesperson and Broker licenses expire every two years on the last day of the initial license month. Continuing Education must be completed prior to license renewal.

Experienced Salespersons must complete 16 hours of Continuing Education to renew their licenses every two years.

Brokers must complete 24 hours of Continuing Education to renew their licenses every two years.

The state requires course completions to be reported to the state. We will report your course to the state upon completion.

You can do a LOT with a Broker license in Virginia, including:

• Help clients sell, lease, and buy properties
• Establish and manage your own real estate brokerage firm
• Supervise and hire other salespersons to work for you
• Become a property manager

One of the biggest advantages you have as a broker is the ability to hire other salespersons to work for you — which can be financially rewarding!

Yes! To start your own business, you’ll need a Broker license. Then, you’ll be able to hire other salespersons to work for you.

Before you can become a licensed real estate broker in Virginia, you must have graduated from high school or earned your GED. The process is simple, but you may need a few forms on hand to get started!

Here are the five steps to becoming a broker:

• Meet the Experience Requirements. You must have been actively engaged as a real estate licensee for at least 40 hours per week during 36 of the 48 months before you apply for your license. You will need to fill out a form that documents this experience and save it to attach with your application. There are forms for both in-state experience and out-of-state experience, both requiring your supervising broker to verify your experience before you can apply for your license.
• Complete Pre-Licensing Education. You must complete 180 hours of Pre-Licensing coursework before you can apply.
• Pass Your Final Course Exam. Virginia requires you to pass your final course exam with in-person proctoring.
• Book Your Exam. You'll need to pass a qualifying exam administered by PSI. You can schedule your exam through PSI Online. There is a $60 fee to take your exam.
• Submit Your Application. Your final step is to submit your completed application and fees using the Virginia DPOR Online Portal. Your fee may vary depending on whether this is an upgraded license, reciprocity, or a license by examination.

According to Indeed, Virginia brokers make an average salary of $101,739. However, some salaries are as high as $196,500, depending on your education and how long you’ve been a broker.

Yes! Many salespersons choose to only work part time, and for good reason. You can sell properties full time to receive a high salary or sell just a few homes a year for some extra pocket money.

To find a real estate brokerage to work for in Virginia, you can:

• Search Online: Conduct an online search looking for real estate brokers in your area. In general, brokers are looking for new agents and will be happy to talk to you.
• Talk to Other Agents: Get advice from other agents in your area!
• Consider an Online Brokerage: There are many real estate brokerages today that have a virtual office. You’ll meet with clients over the phone or in public places.
• Learn More Here: If you still want more advice on how to find a real estate brokerage to work for, check out this blog.

There are a few ways to find a sponsoring broker in Virginia — you can start by Googling brokerages in your area. Make a list of brokerages you’d like to work with, and then contact them by phone or email. For more tips, check out this blog about sponsoring brokerages to learn how to find the right one for you.

No. A salesperson in Virginia must work under the direction, control, or management of a broker. Starting a business is one of the perks of becoming a broker in Virginia.

Some of the best skills salespersons can have include:

• Communication & Negotiation Skills: Good communication is imperative as a real estate salesperson. Learn great oral communication skills and negotiation strategies through this non-credit professional development course.
• Market Insight: It’s important to stay up-to-date with industry changes in real estate. You can stay ahead of the competition by investing in professional development courses.
• Tech Savviness: Learning how to be tech-savvy is important to communicating with your clients and marketing your business well.
• Networking: Real estate is a career for social butterflies! Make sure to get out there and attend social events to network.