South · Real Estate License
Virginia
Salesperson License Requirements
Governing Authority
DPOR
Virginia Real Estate Board, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Official website →60
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$342
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
6–20 weeks
Timeline
start to license
2 years
Renewal Cycle
16 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete 60-Hour Principles of Real Estate Course
Take a DPOR-approved 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course (classroom, online, or correspondence).
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
Schedule via PSI ($52) or Fieldprint ($37.50). Results processed by VA CCRE + FBI. Valid for 45 days.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam
Register at candidate.psiexams.com. Pay $60 exam fee. Pass National (56/80 = 70%) and State (30/40 = 75%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Submit License Application to DPOR
Apply online via DPOR. Pay $230 application fee. Upload fingerprint results and education certificate.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks processing
Affiliate with a Sponsoring Broker
Find a VA-licensed broker. Broker activates the license through DPOR.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Complete 30-Hour Post-License Education
Within first year of licensure: complete 30 hours of Post-License Education (9 required courses). Failure results in license lapse.
Estimated time: Within first year
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
Verified60 clock hours of a Board-approved 'Principles of Real Estate' course. Available classroom, online, or correspondence.
Required Topics / Courses
- Principles of Real Estate (60 hrs)
Provider type: DPOR-approved education providers (classroom, online, correspondence)
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering Virginia-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via OnVUE remote proctoring (limited to one online attempt; subsequent retakes must be in-person).
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 105 min | 70% |
| State (Virginia) | 40 | 45 min | 75% |
| Total | 120 | 150 min | — |
Retake policy: Unlimited attempts. Can retake next day (scheduling permitting). $60 per attempt. Only failed section needs retaking.
Both sections include 5–10 unscored pretest questions. Note: VA state portion has higher 75% passing threshold than most states. Test centers: Vienna, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Harrisonburg.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the Virginia real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
CompuCram
Adaptive exam prep with vocabulary tools, practice tests, and simulated exams for real estate licensing.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee Note: Application fee increased from $170 to $230 effective October 1, 2024. Some sources still cite the old $170 amount. (Alt: $170 per Pre-October 2024 fee schedule, some older websites) | $230.00 | DPOR | |
| Exam Fee (per attempt) | $60.00 | PSI Services | |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check (PSI) Note: PSI charges $52 total. Fieldprint is a cheaper alternative at $37.50. Both are accepted by DPOR. (Alt: $37.5 per Fieldprint Virginia (alternative provider)) | $52.00 | PSI Services | |
| Estimated Total | $342.00 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
High school diploma or GED
Residency
Not required
Non-residents must appoint DPOR Director as agent for service of process.
Citizenship
No explicit requirement
SSN or ITIN needed for practical purposes. No explicit statutory citizenship requirement found.
Background Check
Required
Fingerprint-based via PSI ($52) or Fieldprint ($37.50). VA Central Criminal Records Exchange + FBI. Processing: 1–2 days if clean, up to 60 days if criminal record. Results valid 45 days.
Sponsoring Broker
Required to activate
Not required to apply — license issued as inactive without sponsoring broker. Must affiliate with a licensed VA broker to activate.
Reciprocity
Virginia has reciprocity agreements
Type: Universal Reciprocity
Any actively-licensed agent from any U.S. jurisdiction may apply. Must pass Virginia State Law exam only ($60). Must hold current active license in good standing. Must meet substantially equivalent education requirements. Per 18VAC135-20-60.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education Hours
16 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$100.00
First Renewal Notes
Must complete 30-hour Post-License Education (PLE) within 1 year of initial licensure. Nine specific courses: Fair Housing, RE Law, Ethics, Agency Law, Contract Writing, Risk Management, Escrow, Finance. PLE is separate from standard CE.
Deadlines
Biennial, date based on license issuance. Renewal window opens before expiration.
CE hours increased from 8 to 16 for salespersons starting with licenses expiring June 30, 2026 and after (HB 383/SB 330, effective July 2024).
Find Continuing Education Courses
Virginia requires 16 hours of continuing education every 2 years. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
Application fee increased from $170 to $230.
Effective: 2024-10-01 · Affects: fees
HB 383/SB 330: CE increased from 8 to 11+ mandatory hours with new topic requirements (Ethics, Fair Housing, Legal Updates, Agency, Contracts). Full 16-hour requirement takes effect for licenses expiring June 30, 2026+.
Effective: 2024-07-01 · Affects: renewal
HB 1684/SB 1309: Buyer/tenant agency agreements required before showing property. Renewal fee increased from $65 to $100 for salespersons.
Effective: 2025-07-01 · Affects: requirements, fees
Sources
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Real-Estate
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter21/section54.1-2105/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency135/chapter20/section60/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency135/chapter20/section80/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://candidate.psiexams.com
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.nvar.com/news/2025-06-13/new-laws-2025-what-you-need-to-know-from-the-2025-virginia-general-assembly-session/
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
Published June 2025