Virginia Frequently Ask Questions Real Estate License

​The Virginia Real Estate Board requires all real estate salesperson applicants to complete 60-hours of pre-license education by an approved education provider. The 60-hour VA pre-license course must be approved by the Board and be taught by an approved real estate instructor.

You must complete the Virginia 60-hour pre-license course in order to be eligible to sit for the state exam and ultimately apply for your VA real estate salespersons license.​

You can take the 60-hour Virginia pre-license course online or in a classroom. Most students prefer to take the course online since the online format allows them to take the course at their own pace. If you take the course in a classroom, you must do so according to the school's preset schedule.

Yes, you can certainly take the 60-hour Virginia real estate salespersons course online. In fact, most students prefer to take the course online. The online course format will allow you to complete the course more quickly and it is typically offered at a better price.

Yes, you are allowed to take (and complete) the 60-hour Virginia real estate salespersons course while you are still in high school. The Real Estate Board only requires that you be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma (or its equivalent) when it comes time to apply for your real estate license.

No, the Real Estate Board does not allow you to use credits from your law degree toward the 60-hour Virginia pre-license course. You must take a Board-approved pre-license course that is taught by an approved real estate instructor.

No, the Real Estate Board does not allow college credits to be used toward the 60-hour Virginia pre-license course. You must take the full 60-hour pre-license course in its​ entirety.

You can take the 60-hour Virginia pre-license course final exam as many times as needed until you pass.​

Yes, the Real Estate Board requires that the 60-hour pre-license course final exam be proctored. You may take the proctored final exam at your real estate school or at an approved proctoring location, such as a local library or testing facility.

The 60-hour Virginia pre-license course final exam consists of at least 100 multiple-choice questions.

As soon as you pass the final exam for the 60-hour Virginia real estate salespersons course, your Certificate of Completion will be available to download within your RealEstateU account.

​Your $60 examination fee is valid for one attempt and up to one year. If you do not take the Virginia state licensing exam within one year of registration, you must reschedule your exam and pay another $60 exam fee.

Before you can apply for your VA license, you must complete the following requirements: 1) Complete the 60-hour VA pre-license course, or receive an education waiver from the Board. 2) Pass the Virginia state licensing exam. 3) Submit a set of fingerprints to conduct a criminal record check (background check).​

​You must apply for your Virginia real estate salespersons license by mailing a completed Salesperson License Application to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. You must include all required supporting documentation and pay the $170 license application fee.

There is a $170 fee for the Virginia Salesperson License Application. You can pay the fee using a credit card, check, or money order. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the TREASURER OF VIRGINIA.​

You should only file your VA license application after you have passed the state licensing exam and your fingerprints have been received by the Board (fingerprints cannot be older than 45 days).​ You must submit your license application within one year of the initial exam date when you originally took the state exam.

Yes, if you do not have a sponsoring broker when it comes time to submit your Virginia Salesperson License Application, the Board will issue you an inactive real estate license. Please note, you cannot practice as a real estate salesperson with an inactive real estate license​.

If you hold an active Virginia real estate salesperson's license, you can practice/work as a real estate agent. If you hold an inactive license, you cannot perform any duties that require a real estate license.

​If you do not have a sponsoring broker when you submit your Virginia Salesperson License Application, the Board will issue you an inactive real estate license. Since you do not have a sponsoring broker, you do not have to complete sections 12, 13, & 18 on the application.

If you have a sponsoring broker when it comes time to submit your Virginia Salesperson License Application,​ the Real Estate Board will issue you an active real estate license. You must complete sections 12 & 13 of the application, and have your sponsoring broker complete section 18.

​If you hold an inactive VA real estate salesperson's license, you must submit a Salesperson Activate/Transfer Application by mail or online in order to activate your license. You must complete sections 8 & 9 with your sponsoring broker's information. Your sponsoring broker will have to complete section 14.

​Yes, you still may obtain a real estate license if you have a prior conviction; however, the Real Estate Board has the right to deny your application if they find that "the applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage" in the real estate profession.

The Board considers a conviction as: Any misdemeanor and felony convictions (including moving traffic violations), and all military and foreign convictions. A guilty verdict by judge or jury, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere. Convictions as a minor if tried as an adult.

​You must disclose any prior criminal activity in section 15 of the Virginia Salesperson License Application.

You must disclose any prior criminal activity on your Virginia Salesperson License Application. This means you cannot have the Real Estate Board review your case until you have completed the pre-license education requirements, passed the state exam, and submitted your fingerprints.

​The Real Estate Board requires all applicants to submit a set of fingerprints to the Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange for the purpose of conducting a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history check.

You will be electronically fingerprinted at the PSI testing center after you pass the Virginia state licensing exam. Even if you live outside of Virginia, you are still highly encouraged to get your fingerprints taken at a Virginia PSI testing location, as this will speed up the mandatory background check process.

​Your fingerprints will be electronically transmitted to the Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange where a state and national criminal history record will be conducted. The Board will use your criminal history record to verify that you have fully disclosed all past criminal activity on your license application.

Your fingerprints cannot be older than 45 days from the day the Real Estate Board receives your criminal history record to the day the Board receives your license application. For this reason, we recommend waiting to get your fingerprints taken until right after you fully pass the Virginia state licensing exam.

​Even if you do not live in Virginia, you are still encouraged to get your fingerprints taken as a Virginia PSI testing location. You must contact the Virginia Real Estate Board if you cannot be fingerprinted at a Virginia site.

​It may take up to 4 to 6 weeks to process your fingerprints and have your criminal record check sent to the Virginia Real Estate Board.

​There is a standard $52 fingerprinting fee that may be payable by money order, cashier's check, VISA or MasterCard. The payment includes the State processing fee of $27 and the PSI processing fee of $25.

There are 4 steps you need to take to get your Virginia real estate salespersons license: 1) Complete 60-hour pre-license course 2) Schedule and pass the state exam 3) Get fingerprinted 4) Apply for your Virginia real estate license.

Here is a breakdown of all the costs associated with obtaining your Virginia real estate salespersons license: 1) 60-hour Virginia pre-license course: $99. 2) Proctoring fee: Free - $35 per attempt. 3) State exam fee: $60 per attempt. 4) Fingerprint fee: $52. 5) License application fee: $170. Total Cost: $416

Here is an estimated time-frame it may take to get your VA real estate salespersons license: 1) Complete the 60-hour VA pre-license course: 2 weeks. 2) Schedule and pass the state exam: 2 weeks. 3) Get fingerprinted: 4 - 6 weeks. 4) Submit your license application for approvals: 2 weeks. Total Time-frame: 10-12 weeks

​There are two tests you need to pass in order to apply for your VA real estate salespersons license. First, you must pass the school's proctored final exam, which you will take at the end of the 60-hour pre-license course. After you pass the school's proctored final exam, you can then sit for the state licensing exam.

Virginia is one of the few states in the country that offers full reciprocity with all other states, provided you meet the conditions set forth in section 18 VAC 135-20-60 of the Virginia Real Estate Regulations.

You must do the following to obtain your VA license through reciprocity: 1) Pass the state portion of the VA licensing exam. 2) Get fingerprinted. 3) Submit a VA License Application with the following documents: Certification of Completion of a real estate license course, Letter of Good Standing, and payment of $170.

If you are licensed (or have been licensed) in another state, you may apply for your VA license through the same process as if you were obtaining your VA license through reciprocity. However, if your license is currently expired, you must take both the national and state portions of the Virginia state licensing exam.

Even if you are not a Virginia resident, you still have to go through the same process as a Virginia resident to get your VA real estate license. It is important to note that you must take the VA state licensing exam at a PSI testing center located within the Commonwealth of Virginia.​

If you hold an active Virginia real estate salesperson's license, under the supervision of your sponsoring broker, you can buy, sell, or lease any real estate within the Commonwealth of Virginia and earn a commission in the process. This includes residential, commercial, and even industrial properties.

If you want to represent a homeowner or landlord to sell or lease their property, or if you want to represent a buyer or tenant looking to buy or lease a property, and earn a commission in the process, you are required to obtain at least a Virginia real estate salesperson's license.

Yes, the RealEstateU online 60-hour Virginia real estate salespersons course is fully approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board. Approval #0214026790 RealEstateU is also an approved Real Estate Proprietary School by the Virginia Real Estate Board. Certification #0211001225​

The fastest way to schedule your VA state exam is online through the PSI website. You also have the option to schedule via mail, fax, or telephone. If you are applying for the state exam via reciprocity, you must mail or fax the Examination Registration Form to PSI before you can schedule your exam.

The Virginia state licensing exam costs $60 per attempt, regardless if you are only taking the national portion, the state portion, or both portions.​

​You must pay the $60 Virginia state exam fee directly to PSI, via credit card, money order, company check, or cashier's check. Cash and a personal check will not be accepted by PSI.

If you register online or via phone, you can register for and schedule your state exam the same day. If you register via mail, PSI will need up to 2 weeks to process your registration form. If you register via fax, PSI will need up to 4 days to process your registration form.

​You must take the Virginia state licensing exam at one of the approved PSI testing centers. There are seven PSI testing centers throughout Virginia. Please see pages 9&10 of the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for more information.

Your school will send your information to the PSI testing center within 5 business days of you passing the final exam for the 60-hour pre-license course. The Real Estate Board uses this submission as evidence that you have completed their education requirement.

Yes, your school is required to submit your information to PSI within 5 business days of passing the school's final exam. The Virginia Real Estate Board uses this information as evidence that you have completed the 60-hour pre-license course requirement.

Yes, even if you are applying for your VA real estate license via reciprocity, you are still required to pass the state portion of the VA state licensing exam. If you are an out-of-state licensee and your license is currently expired, you must pass both the state and national portions of the VA state licensing exam.

​You can change or cancel your state exam date through the PSI website or by phone at (800)733-9267. If your change or cancellation request is received at least two days before your scheduled exam date you will not have to forfeit your exam payment.

It costs $60 to retake the Virginia state licensing exam. The exam fee must be paid directly to PSI.​

​There are 80 questions on the national portion of the Virginia state licensing exam, and 40 questions on the state portion (120 questions in total). You must answer at least 56 questions correctly on the national portion to pass, and at least 30 questions correctly on the state portion.

Please have a look at pages 4-6 of the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for a detailed outline of the topics tested on both the national and state portions of the Virginia state licensing exam.

​You can take the Virginia state licensing exam as many times as needed until you pass. You simply have to schedule a new exam attempt through PSI and pay the $60 exam fee for each attempt.

If you took the VA exam by computer, you will receive your exam score immediately following completion of the exam.​ If you took a paper-and-pencil exam, your results will be mailed to you from PSI. Your exam results will also be reported to the Board, which they will use to verify that you have passed the state exam.​

​Once you pass the Virginia state licensing exam, you can then get fingerprinted and submit your Salesperson License Application. You must get fingerprinted at the PSI testing center. You can mail or fax your Salesperson License Application to the Board, with the help of your sponsoring broker.

​It is recommended that you bring a calculator to the Virginia state licensing exam; however, only non-programmable calculators that are silent, battery-operated, do not have a paper tape printing capabilities, and do not have a keyboard are allowed in the exam room.

​You must bring two forms of valid (not expired) identification to the PSI testing center. One ID must be a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID, which includes your signature and photograph. The second ID must include your signature and preprinted legal name.

​Yes, all PSI examination centers are equipped to provide access in accordance with the ADA. Applicants with disabilities that need a testing accommodation must submit an exam accommodation request.

Please have a look at pages 10 & 11 of the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for a detailed description of the PSI exam policies.

If you do not pass the VA state exam, you must schedule a new exam attempt through PSI. The quickest way to reschedule your exam is online through the PSI website, or by phone. You cannot schedule a new exam attempt on the same day you tested unsuccessfully. You must wait until at least the following day.

Yes, you do not need a sponsoring broker to take the Virginia state licensing exam. You only need a sponsoring broker when it comes time to apply for an active Virginia real estate salesperson's license.​

Yes, ​you must submit a completed Virginia Salesperson License Application within one year from your initial exam date when you originally took the exam. If you fail to submit a license application within one year, you must retake and pass the state exam.

​According to section 18 VAC 135-20-30 of the Virginia Real Estate Regulations, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Virginia real estate salesperson's license.

Yes, according to section 18 VAC 135-20-30 of the Virginia Real Estate Regulations, you must have a high school diploma, or its equivalent, in order to apply for a Virginia real estate salesperson's license.

​Yes, you are not required to be a Virginia resident in order to obtain your Virginia real estate license. However, as a Virginia real estate salesperson, you must work under a licensed Virginia real estate broker.

​You must disclose any prior felony convictions, including any plea of nolo contendere to a felony charge. You must also disclose any misdemeanor convictions (including any plea of nolo contendere) involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution or physical injury within the past five years.

​You do not have to disclose any violations adjudicated as a minor in the juvenile court system, a convictions pardoned, set aside, reversed, expunged, pending disposition, adjudication withheld, deferred judgment or otherwise rendered inoperative.

​You can renew your Virginia real estate license online or by mailing your Renewal Card (along with your renewal fee) to the Real Estate Board. We recommend renewing your license online through the DPOR website as this is the quickest way to renew your license.

​There is a $65 renewal fee to renew your Virginia real estate salesperson's license. If you renew your license online, you can pay using a credit card. If you opt to mail in a Renewal Card you should include a Credit Card Payment Form. Please note, all renewal fees are non-refundable.

​You must renew our VA real estate license within two years from the last day of the month in which your license was issued. For example, if your license was issued on January 10, 2020, you must renew by January 31, 2022. If you fail to renew your license by its renewal date, your license will be considered expired.

​All first-time Virginia real estate salespersons must complete 30-hours of post-license education (PLE) within one year from the last day of the month in which their license was issued. For example, if your license was issued on March 15, 2020, you must complete your 30-hours of PLE by March 31, 2021.

​If you hold an inactive VA real estate salesperson's license, you do not have to complete the 16-hour continuing education requirement for each renewal period. However, if you are a first-time VA licensee, you are still required to complete the 30-hours of post-license education within your first year of licensure.

All licensees who hold an active Virginia real estate salesperson's license, and are renewing their license for at least the second time, must complete 16-hours of continuing education for each renewal period.

If you hold an inactive Virginia real estate salesperson's license, you are not required to complete the 16-hours of continuing education. You simply need to submit your renewal application online (or mail in your completed Renewal Card) and pay the renewal fee.

You can renew your Virginia real estate license within 60 days of your license expiration date.

​Yes, any continuing education credits completed in excess of the required 16-hours of CE in the current license term, that were obtained within six months of your license expiration date, may be carried over to the next two-year renewal period.

​The Board may grant exemptions or waive or reduce the number of continuing education hours required in cases of certified illness or undue hardship as demonstrated to the Board. In addition, military personnel called to active duty may complete the required CE within six months of their release from active duty.

​If you fail to renew your license by its expiration date, your license will be considered expired and you will not be able to practice real estate until your license is reinstated. If you do not reinstate your license within 1 year after your license expiration date, you will have to apply for a new license.

To reinstate an expired real estate license, you must submit a Salesperson Activate / Transfer Application, either online or by mail and pay the required fee. Please note, you must have completed the required continuing education credits before you can submit to reinstate your license.​