Virginia · VA
How to get your Virginia real estate license
Everything you need to earn a Virginia salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.
Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.
Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026
How to get a Virginia real estate license
- Hours required
- 60 hrs
- Total cost
- $500 – $900
- Typical timeline
- 4–12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 18+
Confirm you're eligible for a Virginia real estate license
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a Virginia real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.
Complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education
Note: 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
Pass the Virginia real estate exam
Virginia uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 56 of 80 on the national portion (70%) and 30 of 40 on the state portion (75%). The exam fee is $60. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: 120 multiple-choice questions (80 national + 40 state), computer-based at PSI test centers; 150 minutes total; portions can be taken and passed separately.
Apply for your Virginia license
- 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
Find a sponsoring broker
Your Virginia license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.
Virginia real estate license cost breakdown
Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Free download
Free: The National Exam Study Guide
The 9 topics, 15 formulas, and 20 vocab terms you must know to pass. Includes your Virginia licensing checklist as a bonus.
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Frequently asked questions
Renewal & continuing education
Virginia: 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..
Moving your license?
See how Virginia handles out-of-state licenses — full reciprocity, partial agreements, recognition, or start-over — and how every other state stacks up.