Understand the Two Instructor Categories

Virginia generally separates real estate instructors into two categories:

• Pre-license instructors, who teach the education required for a Virginia real estate salesperson or broker license.
• Post-license and continuing education instructors, who teach approved education for already licensed real estate professionals.

The qualifications and application process differ between these categories. A person may qualify for one category but not automatically for the other.

Becoming a Pre-License Real Estate Instructor

To receive Virginia Real Estate Board certification as a pre-license instructor, an applicant must generally satisfy at least two qualifying standards established by regulation.

Potential qualifying standards include:

• Holding an active Virginia real estate broker license and having a bachelor’s degree plus two consecutive years of active real estate experience immediately before applying.
• Holding an active Virginia real estate broker license and having five consecutive years of active real estate experience immediately before applying.
• Holding a Board-approved professional designation, such as Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Commercial Investment Member, Certified Property Manager, or another approved designation.
• Holding the Designated Real Estate Instructor (DREI) designation through the Real Estate Educators Association.
• Holding a valid Virginia teaching credential, or an equivalent credential from another state.
• Having at least five years of teaching experience in an accredited school, college, university, or comparable educational institution.
• Being a Virginia State Bar attorney engaged in real-estate-related law.

The Board may consider substantially equivalent qualifications and has authority to waive listed qualifications when the applicant provides persuasive evidence of relevant expertise.

Do You Need a Virginia Broker License?

Not necessarily. An active Virginia broker license is required for some qualification combinations, but it is not the only route. For example, a professional designation, qualifying teaching credential or experience, and other approved credentials may help satisfy the two-qualification requirement.

Nevertheless, substantial current real estate knowledge is highly valuable. Applicants who intend to teach licensing subjects should be prepared to demonstrate practical knowledge of Virginia real estate law, agency, contracts, finance, brokerage operations, and the subjects covered by the approved course.

Becoming a PLE or CE Instructor

Applicants for post-license or continuing education instructor approval must have:

• Expertise in a specific field of real estate.
• At least three years of active experience in that field during the five years immediately preceding the application.
• A commitment to teach only within the area of demonstrated expertise.

The Board may request documentation such as:

• A résumé.
• Educational transcripts.
• Professional licenses or certificates.
• Professional designations.
• Up to three reference letters.
• Other records showing relevant experience and subject-matter expertise.

Examples of specialty areas might include property management, residential sales, commercial real estate, real estate law, appraisal-related topics, financing, ethics, fair housing, or brokerage management. Approval to teach one subject does not necessarily authorize instruction in every real estate topic.

Real Estate Licensing and Instructor Approval Are Different

Virginia instructor certification is separate from a real estate salesperson or broker license. Teaching real estate courses does not itself authorize a person to perform licensed activities such as brokerage, listing property, negotiating transactions for compensation, or representing clients.

If the instructor will also practice real estate, that person must separately maintain the appropriate Virginia license and comply with applicable renewal, education, and conduct requirements. The Board may deny an instructor application based on prior disciplinary action.

Choose a Virginia-Approved Education Provider

Most instructors work through a school or education provider that is certified or approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board. The provider typically:

• Offers Board-approved courses.
• Submits course materials for approval.
• Identifies qualified instructors.
• Maintains attendance and course records.
• Ensures instruction follows the approved course outline and delivery requirements.

DPOR publishes education-provider materials, course-approval forms, and instructor applications. Its education-provider page includes separate materials for pre-license instructors and PLE/CE instructors.

An instructor should identify a provider before applying when possible. The provider can help determine whether the instructor’s qualifications fit the specific course, whether additional documentation is needed, and whether the instructor must be added to an existing course approval.

Application Steps

1. Decide what you want to teach

Determine whether your goal is to teach:

• Pre-license salesperson or broker education.
• Post-license education.
• Continuing education.
• A specialized course offered by a particular approved provider.

This decision determines which DPOR application and qualification standards apply.

2. Review the current regulations

Read the Virginia regulation governing instructor certification before assembling the application. Confirm the exact qualification combination, documentation requirements, and any restrictions applicable to your category.

3. Assemble evidence of qualifications

Prepare clear, dated documentation, such as:

• A copy of a degree or transcript.
• Proof of an active Virginia broker license, if applicable.
• Verification of real estate experience.
• Copies of professional designations.
• A teaching certificate or evidence of teaching experience.
• Proof of Virginia State Bar membership and real-estate-related legal practice, if applicable.
• A résumé and supporting records for PLE/CE subject-matter expertise.

Experience descriptions should identify employers, dates, roles, responsibilities, and the specific subject matter relevant to the proposed instruction.

4. Complete the appropriate DPOR application

For pre-license instruction, use the Virginia Real Estate Board’s Pre-License Education Instructor Certification Application. The current DPOR form identifies a $265 application fee, but fees and form versions can change, so confirm the amount on the current application before submitting.

For PLE/CE instruction, use the Board’s instructor approval materials. Some applications are submitted by or through the education provider, particularly when adding an instructor to a Board-approved course. DPOR materials indicate that an additional instructor approval submission may require the course’s timed outline and an Instructor Resume Worksheet.

5. Submit all required attachments

Incomplete applications can delay review. Check that:

• Every applicable qualification is selected.
• Supporting evidence is attached.
• Experience dates are consistent across the application and résumé.
• The application uses the current form version.
• The fee and payment method are correct, where a fee applies.
• The education provider has supplied any required course documents.

6. Wait for Board review and approval

Do not advertise yourself as approved to teach Virginia Board-approved education until the required certification or approval has been issued. The Board may evaluate qualifications, prior instructional performance, provider recommendations, and disciplinary history.

Teaching Through an Approved School

After approval, an instructor generally teaches through a certified education provider rather than independently treating any course as automatically approved. The provider remains responsible for using the approved curriculum, meeting delivery standards, and maintaining required records.

Before accepting an assignment, confirm:

• The school is authorized to offer the course.
• The specific course has Board approval.
• You are approved for the relevant course or subject.
• The course format—classroom, synchronous distance learning, or another format—is authorized.
• Attendance, testing, and recordkeeping procedures are clear.

Maintaining Professional Compliance

Virginia real estate instruction is regulated education, not merely informal training. Instructors should:

• Teach the approved course content accurately.
• Use current Virginia statutes, regulations, forms, and agency guidance.
• Avoid presenting personal practice preferences as mandatory law.
• Keep professional credentials current.
• Notify the provider or Board of material changes when required.
• Teach only subjects within the scope of approval.
• Maintain records requested by the provider or regulator.

Because Virginia real estate laws and Board forms can change, instructors should review DPOR updates regularly and coordinate with the approved education provider before revising course materials.

Where to Confirm Current Rules

The official source is the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Real Estate Board. Use its education-provider page for current applications, instructor forms, course-approval materials, contact information, and updated instructions.

The Virginia Administrative Code contains the controlling instructor-certification regulation. The regulation states the qualification standards for pre-license instructors, the expertise requirement for PLE/CE instructors, the Board’s ability to consider equivalent qualifications, and its discretion concerning disciplinary history.

When a form and a secondary explanation appear inconsistent, follow the current regulation and contact the Real Estate Board’s education staff for clarification before filing.

Authoritative Sources

• Virginia Real Estate Board instructor-certification regulation
• Virginia DPOR Real Estate Education Provider Forms
• Virginia DPOR Pre-License Education Instructor Certification Application
• Virginia DPOR Additional Instructor Approval Application
• Virginia Real Estate Board regulations and guidance