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See what it takes to get licensed in Virginia, with an overview of required real estate education, testing, application requirements, brokerage considerations, and career preparation.
By Leap Real Estate Team | 8 minutes read
A Virginia real estate license can open the door to a career helping buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors navigate property transactions across the Commonwealth. Whether you want to work in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, the Shenandoah Valley, or Southwest Virginia, the first step is completing the state’s licensing process.
Virginia makes the path manageable for beginners. You must complete approved education, pass both portions of the state exam, submit fingerprints, apply through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, and work under a supervising broker before practicing.
This guide explains how to get a Virginia real estate salesperson license from start to finish.
To qualify for a Virginia salesperson license, you generally must:
Virginia does not require previous real estate work experience for salesperson applicants. The experience requirement applies primarily to people pursuing a broker license.
Because application forms, fees, and procedures may change, confirm the latest details with the Virginia Real Estate Board before enrolling in a course or scheduling an exam.
The Virginia Real Estate Board, operating through DPOR, oversees real estate salespersons, brokers, and real estate firms in the state.
DPOR handles key parts of the licensing process, including:
The Virginia Real Estate Board is also the best place to confirm whether a school, course, application form, or education provider is currently approved.
Before paying for a real estate course, review the basic eligibility requirements.
Virginia salesperson applicants generally must be at least 18 years old.
Applicants should verify the current education requirements with DPOR before applying. A high school diploma or equivalent may be requested in some licensing contexts, and applicants should not rely on outdated third-party information.
No prior real estate experience is generally required for a Virginia salesperson license. You can begin the process without having worked in a brokerage, property-management company, or real estate office.
Broker applicants face different standards, including substantially more education and qualifying real estate experience.
You do not necessarily have to live in Virginia to pursue a Virginia real estate license. Nonresident applicants may need to follow additional instructions, including requirements related to service of process or documentation from another state.
If you live outside Virginia, review the current nonresident instructions before submitting your application.
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from obtaining a Virginia license. However, applicants must answer background and disciplinary questions honestly and submit the required fingerprints.
If you have a criminal conviction, professional discipline, or unresolved legal matter, collect relevant court or licensing documents before applying. The Board may request additional information during its review.
The education requirement is one of the most important Virginia-specific steps. Salesperson applicants must complete 60 class or clock hours in a Board-approved Principles of Real Estate course.
The course prepares you for both the national and Virginia portions of the licensing examination.
Although course outlines vary, approved education commonly addresses:
Virginia-specific material deserves special attention because it is tested separately from the national content.
When comparing schools, look for:
Not every online real estate course qualifies for Virginia licensure. Confirm approval before registering. If you're ready to begin, you can review the Virginia real estate pre-licensing course.
After completing the course, save your certificate of completion and any attendance records. You may need to provide proof of education during the examination or application process.
Virginia requires salesperson applicants to pass both:
The national section focuses on broad real estate principles. The Virginia section tests state-specific laws, regulations, and practices.
The national portion may include questions about:
The Virginia portion may test:
Use a separate study strategy for each exam section.
Many first-time applicants underestimate the state portion because it covers rules they may not encounter in a general real estate textbook.
Virginia real estate examinations are administered through PSI.
After meeting the education requirement, follow the current PSI registration instructions to:
Testing locations may be available in Virginia and, depending on current arrangements, at other approved locations. Appointment availability can vary, particularly in larger markets such as Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads.
Before arriving, verify the current rules for:
Applicants who pass one portion and fail the other may be able to retake only the failed section, subject to current Virginia and PSI rules. Check the latest retesting deadlines and registration instructions before scheduling another appointment.
Initial Virginia real estate license applicants must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal history check.
Fingerprinting is handled through the process approved by DPOR. Applicants should follow the current Fieldprint or other designated vendor instructions, use the correct Virginia real estate code, and bring the required identification to the appointment.
Virginia’s application process makes timing important. Background-check results generally must still be current when DPOR receives the completed application. Current process materials state that fingerprint results are not older than 45 days when the application is submitted.
A practical order is:
Do not schedule fingerprinting months before you expect to apply. If the results expire, you may have to repeat the process and pay the fee again.
Applicants who live outside Virginia should verify which fingerprinting options and locations apply to them.
After completing education, passing the exam, and handling fingerprinting, submit the salesperson application to DPOR using the latest form provided by the Virginia Real Estate Board.
The application should be:
Depending on your circumstances, your application package may include:
Incomplete or outdated information can delay processing.
Do not leave out a conviction, license discipline, or other matter because you are unsure whether it applies. Read each question exactly as written and provide a clear explanation when requested.
If your history is complicated, gathering documentation before applying can make the review process more efficient.
Passing the Virginia real estate exam does not give you permission to operate independently.
A Virginia salesperson generally must practice under a licensed principal or supervising broker. You can often complete your education and examination before choosing a brokerage, but you must affiliate with a broker before actively conducting licensed real estate activities.
Speak with multiple brokerages before selecting one. Ask about:
A brokerage offering a slightly lower split may provide stronger training and better support during your first year. For a new Virginia agent, access to a responsive supervising broker can be more valuable than a headline commission percentage.
New active Virginia salesperson licensees must complete 30 hours of Board-approved post-license education within one year from the last day of the month in which the license was issued.
This requirement is separate from ordinary continuing education. Failure to complete it on time can result in the license being placed on inactive status, and an inactive license cannot be used to practice real estate.
The post-license curriculum includes practical subjects such as:
Track the deadline as soon as your license is issued. Do not assume that completing the initial pre-license course satisfies the post-license requirement.
Virginia salesperson licenses are renewed on a regular cycle. Renewal and continuing education rules can depend on whether you are a new licensee or have renewed at least once.
New salespersons generally have a separate post-license education obligation during the first year. After that, continuing education requirements apply according to the current Virginia rules.
Renewal requirements, course hours, deadlines, and fees may change. Check DPOR before your renewal period rather than relying on an old course provider email or an expired checklist.
The total cost depends on your school, exam attempts, business plan, and brokerage.
Typical expenses include:
State fees and testing costs can change. Verify current amounts with DPOR and PSI before creating your budget.
Also ask potential brokerages for a realistic first-year expense estimate. A low-cost license can become expensive if recurring desk, technology, MLS, insurance, or transaction fees are not considered.
Once your license is active, build your business around a specific Virginia market instead of trying to serve every community at once.
A new agent might begin by learning one city, county, or group of nearby communities, such as:
Your ideal starting area depends on your relationships, transportation, brokerage support, and familiarity with local housing conditions.
Track information that affects buyers and sellers in your area:
Virginia markets can differ significantly. A strategy that works in a competitive Northern Virginia suburb may not fit a rural market or a coastal community.
Start with people who already know you:
Focus on being useful rather than immediately asking for referrals. Local knowledge and dependable follow-up often produce stronger results than expensive advertising.
Set activity goals for:
A simple spreadsheet or customer relationship management system can help you track conversations, deadlines, referrals, and next steps.
Ask your supervising broker to explain:
Never guess about a contract, disclosure, legal issue, or escrow question. Bring it to your supervising broker or another appropriately qualified professional.
Virginia requires 60 class or clock hours of Board-approved pre-license education for salesperson applicants.
Yes. The salesperson examination includes a national portion and a Virginia-specific portion. Applicants generally must pass both.
Usually, you can complete the education and examination before selecting a brokerage. You generally need to affiliate with a Virginia-licensed supervising or principal broker before practicing.
Yes. Initial applicants must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal history check.
Current Virginia process materials state that the application must be received while the background-check results are current, generally within 45 days. Verify the timing before scheduling fingerprinting.
Yes. Virginia does not generally require prior real estate experience for salesperson applicants.
Yes. New active salesperson licensees must complete 30 hours of Board-approved post-license education within the required one-year period.
Nonresidents may be eligible, but additional application or service-of-process requirements may apply. Review DPOR’s current nonresident instructions.
The timeline varies based on your course schedule, exam preparation, testing availability, fingerprinting, and DPOR application processing. Many applicants finish in a few months, but complicated applications can take longer.
Complete fingerprinting, submit the DPOR application promptly, choose a supervising broker, activate the license as required, and enroll in the 30-hour post-license education program.
Before submitting your application, confirm that you have:
Getting a real estate license in Virginia requires more than passing a test. The strongest new agents combine exam preparation with careful attention to DPOR procedures, reliable broker supervision, local market knowledge, and consistent follow-up. Once your license is active, those habits can help turn a Virginia credential into a sustainable real estate career.
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