Get Your Virginia Real Estate License

You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent to apply for a real estate license in Virginia.

Go through the following five steps to get a Virginia real estate license. 

Step 1: Complete the 60-hour Virginia pre-license course either online or in a classroom environment. The selected course provider must be approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board. 

Aspiring real estate salespersons prefer an online Virginia real estate course. Online courses offer the flexibility and convenience of studying from anywhere and at any time.  

Step 2: Pay $60 and schedule your Virginia Real Estate License Examination through PSI Services. For state-approved courses, the course provider will confirm to PSI about your suitability to appear for the exam. Choose a center to appear for the licensing exam from one of the following centers. 

• Vienna Area
• Richmond
• Virginia Beach
• Roanoke
• Charlottesville
• Johnson City (Tennessee)
• Eastern Shore Area (Maryland)

The real estate license exam consists of two parts, both in a multiple-choice format with the passing grade being 70%. 

• National section: Complete the 80 questions in this category in 105 mins. You must get at least 56 questions right. The questions relate to the fundamentals and best practices of real estate in the USA. 
• State section: There are 40 questions to be completed in 45 minutes. You must get at least 30 questions right. The questions are related to the laws and regulations specific to the state of Virginia only. 

You must pass both the National and the State sections to proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Pay $52.00 and submit your fingerprints for a background check for any history of a criminal conviction. It can be done at a PSI testing location or through Fieldprint, a provider of electronic fingerprinting services. The license application must be submitted within 45 days of the fingerprint check. 

Step 4: Find a licensed broker or brokerage firm willing to sponsor and employ you.

Step 5: Pay $170 and apply for a real estate salesperson license on the DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) portal. Upload proof of completing the VA real estate license course, fingerprint clearance certificate, and employment status with a broker. 

The Virginia licensing authority will send your license directly to the broker.

Fixed Costs:

1. State Examination Fee (per attempt): $60.00
2. Fingerprint fee: $52.00
3. License Application Fee: $170.00

       Total fixed costs: $282

Variable costs: 

This expense is the cost of a Virginia real estate license course and varies between providers of study materials. The cost also depends on whether you choose a classroom-based course or prefer online study materials. 

RealEstateU provides the most affordable Virginia real estate license course online with courses starting at $99 only. The price goes up to $207 with add-ons like e-textbook and study guide. The cost of pre-licensing courses ranges on average between $200 to $500.

Hence, the total cost of getting a Virginia real estate license for a salesperson varies between $385 and $785.

If you are looking for value for money, bank on the Virginia real estate license course online from RealEstateU. The courses are designed by top real estate professionals and start at $99 only. Add their e-textbook and study guides that will reduce your study time by 90% and the package comes to a reasonable $207. 
Most importantly, the study guides have practice questions that simulate the type you will face on exam day. Hence, you will be better prepared for exam day and can face the licensing test more confidently.

The 60-hour Virginia real estate course covers a wide range of subjects based broadly in the following areas.   

• Real estate principles
• Property ownership
• Contracts
• Financing
• Agency relationships
• Virginia real estate laws
• Ethical practices
• Business planning
• Goal setting
• Lead generation
• Negotiation skills
• Real estate math
• Client communications

Yes, the real estate pre-licensing course in Virginia can be completed online.

The average earnings of a real estate salesperson in Virginia is $110,265 per year. However, it varies between cities in the state as follows.  

• Mclean, VA: $126,333 per year 
• Arlington, VA: $122, 476 per year 
• Norfolk, VA, $103,631 per year 
• Woodbridge, VA, $101,528 per year
• Williamsburg, VA, $97,777 per year

The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) regulates the issue of real estate licenses in Virginia.

A Realtor is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors.

You need a real estate license if you sell, buy, lease, or rent real estate properties in Virginia on behalf of clients for a fee.

Yes, a real estate license in Virginia allows you to work in any city in the State without any restrictions.

You must pass the Virginia Real Estate Licensing Exam to get a real estate license in Virginia. The exam is in multiple-choice format with a 70% pass grade.

Becoming a real estate salesperson is the first step to a career in this field. They must work under a broker to get a VA real estate license. Salespersons cannot have their own business or work individually. 

A broker has specific years of work experience and goes through additional pre-licensing courses to get a license. They can also work individually, open a brokerage firm, and hire salespersons to work for them.  

A broker can be an individual, a firm, a limited liability company, or a corporation.

A candidate must submit copies of fingerprints for a background check to get a real estate license in Virginia. They must also declare the following convictions or pleas.

• Misdemeanors
• Felonies
• Other convictions

The misdemeanors that an applicant must reveal broadly cover the following areas.

• Moral turpitude
• Sexual offense
• Drug distribution
• Physical injury 

The DPOR then evaluates the records of each applicant and may approve or disapprove an application.