Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Virginia may seem difficult, but it is doable! With these steps, you will be prepared to take the real estate license exam and get your Virginia real estate license. Let’s look at the requirements, the cost, and everything else you can expect to start your new career in real estate.
Virginia Real Estate License Requirments
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete 60-hours of pre-licensing courses
- Register to take the VA real estate salesperson exam
- Take and pass the Virginia real estate license exam
- Complete fingerprinting and background check
- Apply for a Virginia real estate license
5 Steps to Getting Your Virginia Real Estate License
Step 1: Complete a 60-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
You must complete 60-hours of pre-license courses from a real estate school in Virginia before becoming a licensed real estate agent. In addition, you will need to pass the course final exam and show proof of completion before taking the real estate license exam. Most people choose to take online courses for their pre-licensing education requirements. Here is a list of our top picks.
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With our top picks, you can access practice questions and tests, eBooks, flashcards, video and audio lessons, private tutoring, study materials, live webinars, Q&As, and instructor support. You can even exam prep to help you better prepare for the VA real estate exam.
You can skip this step if…
- you are licensed to practice real estate in another state. You must only take the Virginia real estate license examination’s state portion.
Step 2: Register to Take the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam
After completing the 60-hour pre-license education course with an approved course by the Virginia real estate board, you must complete the application to take the Virginia salesperson exam. You must pay a $60 examination fee when you submit your completed application to take the exam.
There are three ways to earn approval for the real estate agent exam.
- Apply with a letter from the board – if you are applying for a license with a permission letter from the board to take the exam, you must register via mail or fax. In addition, you must submit a copy of the letter with the registration form.
- Apply with reciprocity – if you are applying for a license by reciprocity to take the exam, you must register via mail or fax. In addition, you must submit a copy of your current (unexpired) license with the registration form.
- Apply with your education provider – if you are applying for a license by examination, you may register via the Internet, mail, email, telephone, or fax.
After you receive a confirmation notice of PSI’s approval of your registration, you are responsible for calling PSI to schedule an appointment to take the real estate examination.
Step 3: Take and Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam
After you have completed the 60-hour pre-license coursework and get approval, you are ready to take the Virginia salesperson license exam. You must pass both portions of the Virginia salesperson exam to get a real estate license in Virginia.
You will have two and a half hours to complete 120 multiple-choice questions. The national portion consists of 80 questions; you must correctly answer at least 56. The state portion consists of 40 questions; you must correctly answer at least 30.
Bring This
2 forms of ID* – 1 government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or Green Card) and 1 with your name and signature. (Social Security Card, Credit Card, or Employment/Student ID)
Calculator – You may bring a silent battery-operated calculator (with no letters).
*All identification must match the legal name on your exam registration form.
Don’t Bring This
Do not bring any personal items!
- Your phone, watch, wallet, hat, and jacket must be left outside of the testing area.
- You will need to leave everything in your car or put them in a locker (electronics turned off) until the completion of the exam.
The test center will provide everything you need for the exam.
When you have completed the exam, your results will automatically show up on your screen or if the time limit has been reached. You will receive a successful notification and a performance summary if you have passed the examination. If you fail the exam, you will receive an unsuccessful notification and a diagnostic report showing your strengths and weakness.
If you fail one or both portions of the exam, you can reschedule and retake the exam. But you’ll have to pay another $60 fee each time you retake the exam.
Is the VA Real Estate Salesperson Exam Hard?
The exam pass rate for the state portion in Virginia is less than 46% which means it is difficult but not impossible. We recommend checking out The CE Shop; they have a real estate exam pass rate of an impressive 60%!
Step 4: Submit Fingerprints and Pass a Background Check
There are two ways to submit your fingerprints to get a Virginia real estate license. The first way is to go directly to a PSI testing center; their fingerprinting services are on a first-come, first-serve bases, and you will need to pay a fingerprinting fee of $52. This process can take up to 4-6 weeks.
The second way is to use Fieldprint; you must create an account on the Fieldprint website and enter the Fieldprint code for your corresponding license type. Then, print the confirmation page and bring it with you and two identification forms to your appointment. This process can take a few weeks, depending on the processing times of the Virginia State Police and the FBI.
Step 5: Submit Application for License
After you’ve fulfilled all the real estate education requirements, it’s time to submit your application to the board for approval. You must complete the application process online or print a PDF copy and mail it. If you have already found a real estate broker to work with, they must fill out the bottom portion of the salesperson license application. You will also need to pay a fee of $170 and send in the certification of completion as proof of completing the real estate courses to have an active license.
If you have not already found a real estate brokerage firm to work with or a sponsoring broker, you will complete the salesperson license application, pay the fee of $170, and have an inactive license. Once you find a sponsoring broker, you will need to complete the salesperson activate/transfer application process and have your new broker fill out the bottom portion; you will also need to pay a fee of $60.
Congratulations, you are now an active, licensed real estate agent in Virginia! Take time to celebrate your accomplishments and dream about your new future!
Virginia Real Estate License Reciprocity
Suppose you already have an active real estate license in another state and have completed the 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course. In that case, you can take the Virginia real estate license exam. To pass the state-specific portion of the exam, you must correctly answer 30 of the 40 questions and have 45 minutes to complete the test. Once you pass the exam, you can submit your license application to the board.
Virginia Real Estate Agent License FAQs
What topics are covered on the Virginia real estate salesperson licensing exam?
The Virginia real estate exam covers national and state-specific topics, including property ownership, land use controls, financing, agency principles, property management, real estate valuation, and Virginia real estate laws and regulations.
How much does it cost to take the Virginia real estate exam?
The Virginia salesperson licensing exam fee is $60, payable when you schedule your exam through PSI.
Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining a Virginia salesperson license?
Yes, Virginia requires real estate agents to complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their licenses. This includes specific courses on ethics, fair housing, and legal updates.
How do I renew my Virginia real estate license, and how often is renewal required?
To renew your Virginia real estate license, complete the required continuing education and submit a renewal application online through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation website.
How long does it take to get a salesperson license in Virginia?
It can take anywhere from two weeks to six months to complete the pre-licensing course and up to two months to complete the examination process to start your real estate career as a Virginia real estate agent.
