How to Get Your Real Estate License in Virginia

Becoming a real estate salesperson in Virginia requires completing approved education, passing the state and national licensing examination, submitting fingerprints for a criminal-history check, and applying to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). The process can often be completed in a few months, depending on course scheduling, exam preparation, background-check processing, and how quickly you secure a sponsoring broker.

Virginia Real Estate License Requirements at a Glance

To qualify for a Virginia real estate salesperson license, applicants generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Complete a 60-hour Board-approved Principles of Real Estate course.
Pass the Virginia and national portions of the salesperson examination.
Submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal-history background check.
Submit a complete salesperson license application to DPOR.
Work under the supervision of a Virginia-licensed sponsoring broker.

Virginia does not require previous real estate experience for a salesperson license. The official DPOR process confirms the 60-hour education requirement and states that salesperson applicants have no prior experience requirement.

Step 1: Complete the 60-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Virginia requires prospective salespersons to complete 60 class or clock hours of pre-license education through a Board-approved provider. The course covers foundational subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Virginia real estate law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership
Real estate finance
Fair housing
Licensing rules and professional responsibilities

Before enrolling, confirm that the course is approved for Virginia salesperson licensing. Course prices vary by provider, format, included study materials, and student-support services, so applicants should compare the total cost rather than choosing solely by advertised tuition.

For a Virginia-focused online option, review Leap Real Estate’s Virginia pre-licensing course. Prospective students should confirm the current approval status, course format, final-exam procedures, and included materials directly with the provider and DPOR.

Online Real Estate Courses in Virginia

Online education can be a convenient option for students who need flexible scheduling. Before purchasing an online course, verify:

The provider is currently approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board.
The course includes the full 60 required hours.
The provider explains how attendance, identity verification, and course completion are recorded.
The course includes or clearly describes its required final examination.
The provider submits eligibility information to PSI or gives instructions for submitting proof of completion.

PSI materials state that the education provider generally submits a candidate’s eligibility information electronically; if it cannot do so, the candidate may need to provide an original transcript or certificate of completion.

If you want a flexible option, Leap Real Estate’s Virginia pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education while preparing for the exam.

Step 2: Pass the Virginia Real Estate Licensing Exam

Virginia’s salesperson exam is administered by PSI and contains two portions:

National portion: 80 questions, with 105 minutes allowed
Virginia state portion: 40 questions, with 45 minutes allowed
Combined examination: 120 questions and 150 minutes

The portions may be taken separately or together. The reported passing standard is 70% for the national portion and 75% for the Virginia portion.

The current PSI examination fee is $60, whether the portions are taken together or separately, according to the PSI candidate materials. Retakes and additional preparation materials can increase the total cost.

Exam scores remain valid for one year. If the application is not completed within that period, the applicant may need to retake the examination.

How to Prepare for the Exam

A practical study plan includes:

Reviewing the course textbook and Virginia-specific law.
Taking practice questions after each major topic.
Studying agency, contracts, finance, and state regulations separately.
Scheduling the exam only after consistently passing practice tests.
Bringing the identification required by PSI.
Checking the current candidate bulletin before registering because procedures and testing-center policies may change.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Virginia requires applicants for initial licensure to submit fingerprints for a state and national fingerprint-based criminal-history search. Fingerprints must be submitted before the license can be issued.

DPOR identifies fingerprinting options that include:

Electronic fingerprinting at participating PSI locations in Virginia.
Fieldprint Livescan services at participating Virginia locations.

The available materials report fingerprinting charges of approximately $52 through PSI or $37.50 through Fieldprint, but applicants should confirm the amount and accepted payment method directly with the selected vendor before scheduling.

Background-check results are time-sensitive. DPOR’s process materials state that the application must be received within 45 days of fingerprinting or the applicant may have to submit fingerprints again and pay another fee.

A criminal record does not necessarily mean automatic denial. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and contact DPOR before applying if they have questions about convictions, pending charges, disciplinary history, or licensing issues in another jurisdiction.

Step 4: Find a Virginia Sponsoring Broker

A new salesperson generally cannot practice independently. Virginia salespersons operate under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker, commonly called the principal or sponsoring broker.

A sponsoring broker typically:

Holds the salesperson’s license at the brokerage.
Supervises transactions and compliance.
Provides access to brokerage systems and forms.
Explains commission policies and transaction procedures.
Helps the new salesperson understand local MLS and association requirements.
May offer training, mentorship, lead programs, or office support.

Start interviewing brokerages before submitting the application or while studying for the exam. Compare:

Commission splits and transaction fees
Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees
Training and mentorship
Lead-generation expectations
Office and transaction support
Geographic coverage
Independent-contractor policies
E&O insurance arrangements
Whether the brokerage serves the market and property types you want to pursue

The best brokerage is not always the one offering the highest advertised commission split. For new agents, supervision, education, compliance support, and lead opportunities can be equally important.

A strong pre-licensing foundation can make brokerage interviews easier, so consider completing Leap Real Estate’s Virginia pre-licensing course before you start comparing brokerages.

Step 5: Submit the Virginia Salesperson License Application

After completing education, passing the exam, obtaining fingerprints, and selecting a sponsoring broker, submit the current salesperson application to DPOR.

The application package may require:

Completed and signed application form
Proof of education completion
Examination results
Fingerprint and background-check information
Sponsoring-broker information
Required disclosures
Application fee

Use the most recent application downloaded from the official DPOR website. DPOR’s published process specifically instructs applicants to print, complete, sign, and submit the current application and warns that incomplete applications can delay processing.

The reported Virginia salesperson application fee is $230, but applicants should verify the amount on the current DPOR application before submitting payment because licensing fees may change. The initial budget should also include:

Pre-license course tuition
$60 PSI examination fee
Fingerprinting fee
$230 reported application fee
Optional exam-preparation materials
Local REALTOR® association, MLS, lockbox, insurance, marketing, and brokerage expenses

Because course prices and business expenses vary, there is no single reliable total cost for every applicant. A reasonable budget should include more than the state-mandated fees and allow for an examination retake if necessary.

Realistic Virginia Licensing Timeline

A realistic timeline depends on the applicant’s schedule and the speed of application processing. A typical sequence may look like this:

Pre-license education: Several weeks to a few months.
Course final exam and eligibility processing: Varies by provider.
PSI examination scheduling: Often depends on appointment availability.
Fingerprinting: Usually completed after or around the examination stage.
Background-check processing and application review: Varies by case and document completeness.
Brokerage selection and onboarding: A few days to several weeks.

Applicants who study consistently and submit complete documents may finish in a few months. Delays are common when an application is incomplete, fingerprints must be retaken, education records are missing, or additional background information is requested.

Post-License Education

New Virginia salespersons must complete 30 hours of post-license education during the first year after initial licensure. This requirement is separate from the 60-hour pre-license course.

Post-license education is intended to help new agents transition from exam preparation into actual practice. Topics can include:

Real estate contracts
Agency and brokerage relationships
Transaction management
Risk management
Ethics and professional conduct
Fair housing
Escrow and recordkeeping
Property management or related practice areas

Confirm the exact deadline and currently approved course options with DPOR. Failure to complete required post-license education can affect the license’s status.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After the initial post-license period, Virginia licensees must complete continuing education for renewal. The exact hours, subject requirements, renewal deadline, and course categories can change, so licensees should rely on the current DPOR renewal instructions rather than an older article or school advertisement.

Maintain:

Course completion certificates
Renewal notices
Brokerage records
Required disclosures
Transaction and escrow documentation
Copies of any continuing-education submissions

Renewing on time is the licensee’s responsibility. A salesperson should check the license expiration date and current DPOR requirements well before renewal.

Potential Earnings for Virginia Real Estate Salespersons

Real estate income varies substantially. Salespersons are commonly paid through commissions or other compensation tied to completed transactions, and earnings can be affected by market conditions, brokerage arrangements, transaction volume, experience, location, pricing, and time spent prospecting.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage and employment information for real estate sales agents, but those figures should not be treated as a guaranteed income forecast for a new Virginia licensee. Applicants should review the latest BLS real estate sales agents data and, when available, Virginia-specific labor-market information before making financial decisions.

New agents should plan for an uneven initial income period and budget for business expenses such as:

Marketing and advertising
Transportation
Association and MLS dues
Insurance
Technology
Photography and signage
Brokerage and transaction fees
Taxes and bookkeeping

Ask each prospective brokerage for a written explanation of fees, commission splits, caps, referral arrangements, and payment timing.

Career Opportunities in Virginia Real Estate

A Virginia salesperson license can support several career paths, including:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing and sales
New-construction sales
Leasing and rental services
Relocation services
Commercial real estate support
Land and rural property sales
Property-management-related work, where separately permitted
Investor and development support
Real estate team operations
Transaction coordination and client-service roles

Some activities may require additional licensing, supervision, education, or employer-specific qualifications. A salesperson who later wants to operate a brokerage may need to meet Virginia’s separate broker requirements, including additional education and experience. DPOR states that broker applicants must complete 180 hours of education and generally have qualifying active real estate experience.

Concise Step-by-Step Summary

Confirm that you meet Virginia’s basic eligibility requirements.
Complete a Board-approved 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course.
Pass the course’s required final examination and obtain completion documentation.
Register with PSI and pass both the national and Virginia examination portions.
Submit fingerprints through an approved Virginia option.
Choose a Virginia-licensed sponsoring broker.
Submit the complete salesperson application and current fee to DPOR.
Complete 30 hours of post-license education during the first year.
Complete required continuing education before future renewals.
Maintain accurate records and verify changing requirements with DPOR.

Final Checklist Before Applying

Before submitting the application, confirm that:

The education provider is currently Board-approved.
The 60-hour course is complete.
Both exam portions have been passed.
Fingerprints were submitted through an accepted provider.
The application is being submitted within the fingerprint-result deadline.
The application uses the latest DPOR form.
The sponsoring broker’s information is accurate.
All criminal-history and disciplinary disclosures are complete.
The fee is the current amount shown on the official application.
Copies of all documents and receipts have been retained.

Virginia licensing rules, fees, forms, fingerprint procedures, and education requirements can change. Always verify the final requirements with the Virginia Real Estate Board before enrolling, scheduling the exam, or submitting an application.

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