How to Get a Virginia Real Estate License in 5 Easy Steps

Yep—selling properties across Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Richmond, and Norfolk sounds enticing. And whether you’re an aspiring real estate agent or an out-of-state salesperson moving to Virginia, we’re here to help.

We’ll guide you through the steps, discuss the time commitment and costs involved, and answer your questions about getting licensed.

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How to Get a Virginia Real Estate License

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How to Get a Virginia Real Estate License Complete a 60-Hour Prelicensing Course Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam Pass a Background Check Join a Virginia Real Estate Brokerage Apply for Your Virginia Real Estate License

To be eligible for a Virginia real estate license, you must:

1. Complete a 60-Hour Prelicensing Course

The first step to getting your Virginia real estate license is to complete a 60-hour prelicensing course. You can check out this PDF from the Virginia Real Estate Board’s website to find a list of approved real estate schools.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly online school for your online course and exam prep, consider The CE Shop. They’re known for providing high-quality and affordable prelicensing courses. Or take a look at our list of the five best online real estate schools; each one offers classes in Virginia.

Readers of The Close can save 30% on any of The CE Shop’s prelicensing and business-building courses. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

In Virginia, you must complete a course exam before you can apply to take your state license exam. Your prelicensing course exam must be proctored, either in person or virtually.

2. Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam

Once you’ve completed your coursework and class test, you’ll need to prepare for the Virginia real estate license exam. You’ll have 2.5 hours to complete the 120 multiple-choice-question exam. The license exam is administered by PSI; you can schedule your test and pay the $60 exam fee on its website.

Breakdown of the Virginia Real Estate Agent Exam

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National portion 80 questions 105 minutes
State of Virginia portion 40 questions 45 minutes
Total 120 questions 150 minutes

There are 7 testing locations across Virginia and neighboring states:

When it comes time to study, you might consider purchasing an exam prep package from a real estate school. Test prep packages ensure you walk into your license exam with confidence. They include practice questions and simulated exams, as well as flashcards or study guides.

We recommend checking out The CE Shop’s standard package, which is designed to ensure you know everything you need for both national and state portions of the Virginia real estate license exam.

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How to Study for the Real Estate Exam: Tips & Strategies

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. You must show two forms of valid identification at the PSI testing facility:

Your score report will immediately appear on the screen when you complete the exam. If you get at least 56 questions correct on the national portion and 30 right on the state portion, you’re all done! If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll see an unsuccessful notification on the screen. Be sure to grab a registration form for the exam retake at the testing center. You’ll have to pay another $60 to take it again.

3. Pass a Background Check

Before applying for your real estate license, you must complete a fingerprinting background check. There’s no need to make an appointment—fingerprinting is done on a first-come, first-served basis at PSI Testing locations and costs $52. Note that only the PSI testing locations in Richmond, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, and Vienna offer fingerprinting. You can find more information on this fingerprinting guide from the PSI Testing website.

It can take four to six weeks to complete your background check, so consider starting this process before sitting for your exam if you’d like to apply for your license shortly after your exam.

4. Join a Virginia Real Estate Brokerage

In order to apply for your Virginia real estate license, you’ll need to be employed by a sponsoring broker. Brokers have generally spent many years in the real estate industry and will be able to offer you guidance as you navigate your new career.

Begin your search for a job by visiting real estate agencies in your area. Make sure that you understand your contract with the brokerage that hires you and take note of these terms:

5. Apply for Your Virginia Real Estate License

Now it’s time to apply for your Virginia real estate license. First, fill out the real estate salesperson application from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s website. The license application fee is $170, and you’ll need to complete, sign, and mail the application to the state.

Be aware that you need to submit your license application within 45 days of getting fingerprinted. If they don’t receive your license application during that time frame, you’ll have to pay to be fingerprinted again.