Virginia licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Virginia
A practical step-by-step guide to Virginia licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Virginia licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 27, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 60 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Estimated cost
- $435–$800
- Estimated timeline
- 2–4 months
- Renewal cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
Experienced Virginia salespersons must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two‑year license term. Of these, 11 hours are mandatory topics covering fair housing, ethics, agency law, contracts and legal updates; the remaining 5 hours are electives. New salespersons must complete a 30‑hour post‑license education curriculum within one year of initial licensure.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Complete pre‑license education
Finish 60 hours of salesperson pre‑licensing education through a DPOR‑approved provider.
Pass the Virginia licensing exam
Schedule the Virginia real estate exam with PSI and pass both the national and state sections. The exam fee is about $60 per attempt.
Get fingerprinted for background check
Obtain fingerprints at a PSI testing center or Fieldprint location and submit them to DPOR within 45 days of your application.
Submit license application
Submit your salesperson license application to the Virginia Real Estate Board and pay the $170 application fee.
Complete post‑license education
Within one year of licensure, complete the 30‑hour post‑license education program covering fair housing, real estate law and regulations, ethics, current industry issues, agency, contract writing, risk management, escrow requirements and finance.
Renew license and complete continuing education
After the first renewal, complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years, including 11 hours of mandatory topics such as fair housing, ethics, agency, contracts and legal updates.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $435–$800. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑license course | $150–$500 | Cost of the 60‑hour pre‑license education program. |
| Exam fee | $60 | PSI examination fee per attempt. |
| Fingerprinting/background check | $52 | Fee charged by PSI ($25) plus the state processing fee ($27) for fingerprinting. |
| Application fee | $170 | State salesperson application fee. |
| Post‑license education | $150–$300 | Cost of the required 30‑hour post‑license curriculum. |
| Continuing education | $100–$200 | Cost of 16‑hour CE package for each two‑year cycle. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
Do new Virginia salespersons need post‑license education?
Yes. New licensees must complete a 30‑hour post‑license education curriculum within one year of initial licensure or the license will be placed on inactive status.
How many hours of continuing education are required in Virginia?
Experienced salespersons must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years, including 11 hours of mandatory topics such as fair housing, ethics, agency, contracts and legal updates.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.