Virginia · VA
Virginia Real Estate License Checklist (2026)
Every step, fee, and deadline on one page — designed to print cleanly to PDF and check off as you go.
Before you start
- You are at least 18 years old
- You hold a high school diploma or GED
- You can pass a criminal background check / fingerprinting
Education
Virginia requires a single 60-hour Principles of Real Estate pre-license course — one of the shorter requirements in the country. But note Virginia adds a 30-hour post-license education requirement within your first year of active licensure, so the true first-year education load is 90 hours.
- Complete the 60-hour Board-approved Principles of Real Estate pre-license course (in-person or online)
- Pass the school's final course exam and get your certificate of completion — your school reports completion to PSI
- Register with PSI and pass both the national and state portions of the exam (scores expire after 1 year)
- Plan for the 30-hour post-license education curriculum within 12 months of licensure to keep your license active
Application & exam
- Pass both exam portions, then submit fingerprints through DPOR's approved vendor, Fieldprint (fieldprintvirginia.com) — about $37.50. Background checks are time-sensitive, so fingerprint shortly before applying
- Complete the Salesperson License Application — the fee is $230, payable to the Treasurer of Virginia. There is no online option for the initial application; it must be mailed
- Decide on active vs. inactive: if you have a sponsoring firm, your principal or supervising broker signs the Broker's Statement and your license issues active with that firm. If you apply without a firm, Virginia issues an INACTIVE license you can activate later
- Submit the complete application within 1 year of your original exam date, or you'll have to retest
- Once the Board receives your fingerprint results, your completed application must arrive within 90 days or you must re-fingerprint
- After licensure, complete 30 hours of post-license education within 1 year or your license automatically goes inactive
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 60-hour pre-license course | $150 – $450 | |
| PSI exam fee | $60 per attempt | |
| Fingerprinting (Fieldprint) | ~$37.50 | |
| DPOR license application fee | $230 | |
| 30-hour post-license course (first year) | $100 – $250 | |
| Estimated total | $500 – $900 |
Key deadlines
- But note Virginia adds a 30-hour post-license education requirement within your first year of active licensure, so the true first-year education load is 90 hours.
- 2-year renewal cycle; salesperson renewal fee is $100.
- New licensees must complete the one-time 30-hour post-license education within 12 months of licensure; after that, 16 hours of continuing education (including mandatory topics like fair housing and ethics) every 2 years.
- Register with PSI and pass both the national and state portions of the exam (scores expire after 1 year)
- Plan for the 30-hour post-license education curriculum within 12 months of licensure to keep your license active
- Background checks are time-sensitive, so fingerprint shortly before applying
- Submit the complete application within 1 year of your original exam date, or you'll have to retest
- Once the Board receives your fingerprint results, your completed application must arrive within 90 days or you must re-fingerprint