Cost to Get a Virginia Real Estate License

The total cost to get a Virginia real estate license ranges from an estimated $440 to $955, covering the pre-licensing course, state exam, fingerprinting, and license application fee. For anyone researching how to become a real estate agent, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) sets the fixed regulatory fees, while the pre-licensing course price varies by education provider and package tier. After initial licensure, agents should budget for post-license education, biennial renewal, and optional professional memberships that add several hundred to over a thousand dollars per year in ongoing costs.

Total cost to get a Virginia real estate license

The upfront investment for a Virginia salesperson license falls between an estimated $440 and $955, depending on the pre-licensing course provider and package tier selected. The four required expenses are the 60-hour pre-licensing course, the PSI exam, fingerprinting, and the DPOR license application.

Each exam retake adds $60 to the total, per the DPOR pre-license page^[1]. The pre-licensing course is the largest variable: a basic online package can cost under $150, while premium packages with live instruction and exam prep can exceed $500.

Effective July 1, 2026, DPOR assesses a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year pursuant to 2026's House Bill 30, remaining through June 30, 2030, per the DPOR Real Estate Board page^[2]. For a 2-year license term, this adds $14.50 to certain fees. The $244.50 application fee above includes this charge; the base application fee is $230.

Pre-licensing course cost in Virginia

Virginia pre-licensing courses typically range from approximately $100 to $600, depending on the provider, format, and package tier. The Virginia DPOR^[1] requires salesperson applicants to complete 60 hours of Board-approved education before taking the exam. Providers deliver this coursework through internet-based, in-person, or mail-based study options.

The Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® (NVAR)^[3] charges $275 for its 60-hour classroom course, which does not include the textbook. Online providers generally offer the lowest prices, with basic packages starting around $100 to $150. Mid-tier packages that add exam prep typically run $200 to $350, and premium packages with live instruction or post-licensing bundles can reach $500 to $600.

Virginia real estate exam and fingerprinting fees

The exam and fingerprinting together cost an estimated $97 to $112, depending on the fingerprinting location. PSI, Virginia's contracted exam vendor, charges $60 for each exam attempt. Fingerprinting at a PSI test center costs approximately $52, or roughly $37 through Fieldprint, a separate fingerprinting service.

The $27 state processing fee component is collected by the Virginia State Police^[4] for the fingerprint-based criminal history search. PSI test centers in Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Vienna, and Virginia Beach offer fingerprinting services from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. without an appointment, per the DPOR pre-license page^[1].

The DPOR license application process^[5] requires a complete application on file within 45 days of fingerprinting, or fingerprints must be retaken for an additional fee. Background checks expire after 45 days.

License application fee

The salesperson application costs $244.50 under the July 1, 2026 DPOR fee schedule, which breaks down to a $230 base fee plus $14.50 for the Technology Fee over the 2-year license term. The DPOR salesperson license application form^[6] (form A490-0225SLIC) lists this total. The application is a fillable PDF with no online submission option; you must print, sign, and mail it to the Board.

All fees paid to DPOR are non-refundable, per the DPOR Fees and Payments page^[7]. Exam scores remain valid for one year after passing, so the application must reach the Board within that window.

Post-license education cost

New Virginia salespersons must complete 30 hours of Board-approved post-license education (PLE) within one year of licensure, according to the DPOR post-license page^[8]. The 30-hour curriculum covers nine required topics, including fair housing, agency law, contract writing, and escrow requirements.

PLE course costs vary by provider, typically ranging from $100 to $300. Some brokerages and local REALTOR® associations, including NVAR, offer complimentary post-licensing to their members. Failure to complete PLE within one year results in automatic placement on inactive status.

License renewal cost in Virginia

Virginia salespersons pay $100 to renew a 2-year license, a rate set by the Virginia Administrative Code fee schedule^[9] (18VAC135-20-15). A $50 late fee applies if renewal is not completed before the expiration date, per the FAAR renewal guide^[10].

The Technology Fee described in the total cost section also applies to renewal fees. If a license is not renewed for more than two years, the licensee must complete the entire licensing process again, including pre-licensing education and the exam.

Continuing education cost

Virginia salespersons who have renewed at least once must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years. For licenses expiring on or after June 30, 2026, the breakdown is 11 mandatory hours and 5 elective hours, per Virginia Code section 54.1-2105.03^[11]. The mandatory hours cover ethics, fair housing, legal updates, agency, and contracts. Previously, the split was 8 mandatory and 8 elective hours.

CE course costs typically range from $50 to $150 per renewal cycle, depending on the provider and format. First-time renewing salespersons do not pay for CE; they complete the 30-hour post-license education requirement instead, per the DPOR continuing education page^[12].

REALTOR® dues, MLS access, and E&O insurance

REALTOR® association dues, multiple listing service (MLS) access, and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance are not required for licensure but are common expenses for practicing agents. Neither REALTOR® membership nor MLS access is required to hold a Virginia real estate license, but most agents join to access forms, the MLS, and professional networks.

Annual REALTOR® association dues combine national, state, and local membership. The National Association of REALTORS®^[13] (NAR) charges $201 per member for 2027, consisting of $156 in base dues plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign. State and local association dues vary by region, bringing the total to approximately $500 to $850 per year, plus a one-time application fee.

MLS fees in Virginia typically run $36 to $60 per month, usually paid quarterly. E&O insurance, while not required by state statute, is required by most brokerages. Annual E&O premiums generally range from $300 to $500, though some brokerages include coverage for their agents at no additional cost.

Virginia broker license cost comparison

The broker pathway requires 180 hours of pre-licensing education approved by the Board, triple the salesperson requirement. NVAR charges $310 per broker course, and four courses are required, bringing the broker pre-licensing tuition to $1,240 at that provider.

The broker renewal fee is $120 per 2-year term, per the Virginia Administrative Code fee schedule^[9]. Broker continuing education requires 24 hours per renewal cycle, compared to 16 hours for salespersons.

Real estate agent income potential in Virginia

Real estate agents earn income through commissions on completed transactions, and earnings vary widely by experience level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics^[14] reports a median annual wage of $58,960 for real estate brokers and sales agents combined as of May 2024.

New agents should expect to earn less than the median in their first year, as building a client base takes time. The NAR agent income data^[15] shows that income rises substantially with experience, with agents who have built long-term client relationships earning well above the median.

Are Virginia real estate license fees refundable?

No. All fees paid to DPOR are non-refundable, regardless of whether the application is approved, denied, or withdrawn. The DPOR Fees and Payments page^[7] states that the agency receives no general funds or tax revenues and funds its regulatory programs entirely through collected fees. Dishonored checks result in license suspension if not replaced within 10 days, with a $50 service charge.

Planning your licensing budget

The full first-year investment, including initial licensure and ongoing professional costs, typically ranges from an estimated $1,500 to $3,000 depending on provider choices and local association dues. The largest one-time expense is the pre-licensing course, and the largest recurring expense is REALTOR® association dues plus MLS access.

Before enrolling, confirm your chosen pre-licensing course is Board-approved through the DPOR pre-license education page^[1], and review the current fee schedule on the DPOR Real Estate Board page^[2].