Are you interested in getting your Virginia real estate license? Your first step is to complete a 60-hour prelicensing course at an approved school. If you’re at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED, you can launch a real estate career in Virginia in a matter of months.
We’ll guide you through the steps involved, discuss the time commitment and costs involved, and answer your questions about getting licensed. Let’s dive in!
How to Get a Virginia Real Estate License
Becoming a real estate agent in Virginia is as easy as taking courses, passing your exam, and filling out an application. Let’s take a look at each step.
1. Complete a 60-Hour Prelicensing Course
Cost: $200-$500
Time Commitment: 1 month
Your first step to getting your Virginia real estate license is to complete a 60-hour prelicensing course. You can visit the Virginia Real Estate Board 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.
To complete your Virginia real estate license requirements in person, consider Moseley Real Estate Schools. The materials will be brought to life by your certified instructor. Classes are held in locations all over the state.
In Virginia, you must complete a prelicensing course exam before you can apply for your state license exam. Your prelicensing course exam must be proctored, either in person or virtually.
2. Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam
Cost: $60
Time to Complete: 2.5 hours
Format: 120 multiple-choice questions
Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll need to prepare for the Virginia real estate license exam. You’ll have 2 1/2 hours to complete the 120-question exam. The license exam is administered by PSI Testing and you can schedule your license exam online and pay the $60 exam fee.
Breakdown of the Virginia Real Estate Agent Exam
| National Part of the Exam | 80 questions | 105 minutes |
| State of Virginia Part of the Exam | 40 questions | 45 minutes |
| Total | 120 questions | 150 minutes |
There are 7 testing locations across Virginia and neighboring states:
- Charlottesville
- Richmond
- Roanoke
- Vienna
- Virginia Beach
- Johnson City, TN
- Salisbury, MD
When it comes time to study, you might consider purchasing an exam prep package from a real estate school. Exam 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 for their Exam Prep Edge 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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Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. You must show two forms of ID at the PSI testing facility:
- A valid, government-issued ID that has your signature and photograph
- A valid ID that has your signature and preprinted name
Your score report will immediately appear on the screen when you complete the exam. Passing grades are 56/80 on the national portion and 30/40 on the state portion.
3. Pass a Background Check
Cost: $52
Time commitment: 4-6 weeks
Next, it’s time to complete your 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. Visit one of the five testing locations in Richmond, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, Ranaoke, or Vienna. Visit the PSI Testing website for more information.
It can take 4 to 6 weeks for your background check to be complete, so consider completing your background check 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
Cost: No cost
Time Commitment: 2-4 weeks
To apply for your Virginia real estate license, you’ll need to be employed by a real estate sponsoring broker. Real estate brokers are familiar with this process since they underwent it in their careers themselves. Particularly when times are busy, they are happy to take on new agents.
Begin your search for a job by visiting real estate agencies in your area. A sponsoring broker will be able to offer you guidance as you navigate your new career. To help you on your search, take a look at The Best Real Estate Company to Work for in 2022.
5. Apply for Your License
Now it’s time to apply for your Virginia real estate license. First, fill out the real estate salesperson application from the Virginia DPOR website. The license application fee is $170, and you’ll need to complete, sign, and mail the application to the DPOR.
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.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Virginia Real Estate License?
It costs just under $600 to get your Virginia real estate license. Some of these costs are fixed, such as the application, exam, and fingerprinting fees. The cost of your prelicensing course, on the other hand, can vary depending on the package you choose.
Most schools offer several tiers of packages to suit your needs, and you can typically choose from live, in-person classes, self-paced online classes, or Livestream classes. We recommend The CE Shop’s Standard Package, which included Exam Prep and is currently offered for $289. Readers of The Close can save 30% by using the code TheClose30 at checkout.
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Virginia Real Estate License Costs
| Prelicensing Classes (60 Hours) | $289 (The CE Shop) |
| Virginia Real Estate License Exam Fee | $60 |
| License Fee | $170 |
| Fingerprinting Fee | $52 |
| Total Cost | $571 |
How to Get a Real Estate License in Virginia: FAQs
Now you have a comprehensive look at how to become a real estate agent in Virginia. We’ve also assembled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the process here. If you have additional questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!
How much do real estate agents make in Virginia?
As of March 2022, Virginia real estate agents make an average of $89,089 per year. Remember that real estate is a commissioned-based career, so the sky is the limit as to your earning potential. With persistence and hard work, you can have a lucrative and successful real estate career in Virginia.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Virginia?
It takes between three and four months to get your Virginia real estate license. You’ll spend the bulk of that time completing 60 hours of prelicensing coursework. Once you’ve finished your course, you’ll need time to study for and take your license exam, and complete the license application. Be aware that it can take several weeks for the board to approve your application.
How many times can you take the Virginia real estate exam?
You have an unlimited amount of attempts to take the Virginia real estate exam. You will simply need to pay $60 per license exam attempt. If you aren’t feel confident about passing your license exam, consider purchasing an exam prep package from a real estate school.
What if I have a real estate license from another state?
If you hold a valid real estate salesperson or broker license in another state, you will only be required to take and pass the state portion of the Virginia real estate license exam.
Exam registration for reciprocity applications is by e-mail or fax only. Email or call the Virginia Real Estate Board at (804) 367-8526 or reboard@dpor.virginia.gov.
Do Realtors make a base salary?
No, real estate agents in Virginia do not earn a salary. They work entirely on commission. That’s one reason you must understand the terms of your contract with the brokerage that hires you.
- Split: Your commission split, or how you’ll divide the commissions earned between you and your broker, is a point of negotiation. Some brokerages will ask for an even 50/50 split on commissions.
- Desk fee: You may be charged a monthly desk fee from some brokerages. This fee is collected whether you earn a commission that month or not.
- Cap: A cap is a maximum amount that the real estate brokerage will take from the commissions you’ve earned throughout the calendar year. Everything that you make above that cap is yours to keep.
Beginning agents often wonder if it would be better to keep their day jobs and only work in real estate part-time or devote themselves full time to their new careers.
Of course, everyone’s financial situation and obligations are different, but to guide you in your decision, read How to Become a Successful Part-Time Real Estate Agent.
More Resources from The Close
We hope our step-by-step guide to getting your Virginia real estate license has you excited to start your new career. At The Close, we’re committed to providing actionable strategies for every stage of your career.
To get articles directly to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter. When you’re ready to upgrade your skills, check out The Close Pro. Lastly, don’t forget to join our Facebook Mastermind Group to get tips from seasoned agents about starting your real estate career.
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