Virginia Real Estate License · Start Here

Real Estate License in VA: How to Get Licensed

Virginia uses Salesperson as the entry-level real estate license. The path runs through a 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course, the PSI state exam, a fingerprint-based background check, a DPOR application, and post-license education (PLE) in your first year.

Salesperson = Entry Level60 Class/Clock HoursPSI ExamDPOR ApplicationFingerprint Background Check30-Hour PLE, First YearRenews Every 2 Years

RealReady is an independent guide. The Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB), under DPOR, regulates licensure, and PSI Services administers the licensing exam.

RealReady Virginia · Independent Guide
Salesperson Path Snapshot
Entry licenseSalesperson
Education60 class/clock hrs
RegulatorVREB / DPOR
Background checkFingerprint-based, PSI/Fieldprint
Exam vendorPSI Services
RenewalEvery 2 years, issuance month
Independent planning snapshot — verify current status with the official source.
Snapshot

Virginia real estate licensing in one screen

This hub is the starting point for Virginia candidates. Use the linked guides for a deeper look at course choice, cost, exam prep, the application, renewal, and out-of-state situations.

License name
Salesperson
Entry-level Virginia real estate license.
Education
60 class/clock hours
Board-approved Principles of Real Estate pre-license course.
Exam
PSI
National and state portions, scored separately.
Regulator
DPOR / VREB
Virginia Real Estate Board, under DPOR.
New-salesperson PLE
30 hrs / 1 year
Not the same as continuing education — see the trap below.
Renewal
Every 2 years
Last day of the month the license was issued.

The Virginia salesperson path, start to finish

The Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB), operating under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), regulates real estate licensure in the Commonwealth under Title 54.1, Chapter 21 of the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Administrative Code (18VAC135-20). Most first-time candidates follow the same general sequence.

  • Education — complete 60 class/clock hours of a VREB-approved Principles of Real Estate pre-license course, then pass the proctored course final exam.
  • Exam — register with PSI and pass both the national and state portions of the Virginia salesperson exam.
  • Background check — submit fingerprints for a criminal history record check, timed carefully so results don't expire before you apply.
  • Application — apply for licensure through DPOR once education, exam, and background steps are complete, and affiliate with a Virginia real estate firm to go active.
  • Post-license education (PLE) — complete a 30-hour Board-approved PLE curriculum within one year from the last day of the issuance month.
  • Renewal & CE — renew every two years and complete continuing education for later renewal cycles.

Education: the 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course

Salesperson pre-licensing education in Virginia is a single 60 class/clock hour course — Principles of Real Estate — covering real estate principles, contracts, agency, and Virginia-specific law. Course completion requires passing a monitored, proctored final exam. See the VA real estate license course guide and the online course guide if you're comparing formats.

Application and firm affiliation

Once education, exam, and background steps are complete, candidates apply for licensure through DPOR. An active Virginia salesperson license generally requires affiliation with a licensed firm. See the full VA real estate license application guide for the sequence.

The PSI exam

PSI Services is the ARELLO-accredited vendor contracted by DPOR to administer the Virginia salesperson exam, which has National and Virginia portions that are scored independently. For current portion counts, time limits, and passing thresholds, verify in the current PSI candidate information bulletin — see the VA real estate license exam guide.

Cost

Costs include course tuition, the PSI exam fee, a fingerprinting/background-check fee, and the DPOR application fee. Tuition varies by provider, so treat it as a range rather than a fixed number. See the VA real estate license cost guide for a breakdown and verified-as-of framing on fee figures.

Timeline

Realistic timelines depend on how quickly you complete the 60-hour course, schedule the PSI exam, and move through fingerprinting and DPOR processing. See how long it takes to get a real estate license in Virginia for a stage-by-stage estimate. RealReady does not guarantee any specific timeline.

Renewal, PLE, and continuing education

Virginia salesperson licenses run on a two-year cycle, expiring on the last day of the month the license was originally issued. New salespersons must complete 30 hours of Board-approved post-license education (PLE) within one year from the last day of the issuance month or the license moves to inactive status. Experienced salespersons instead complete continuing education (CE) each two-year cycle; the mandatory/elective mix inside that CE requirement changed for licenses expiring on or after June 30, 2026. See the VA real estate license renewal guide for the full breakdown.

Watch out for these Virginia-specific traps

The 60-hour course is not the license
Completing Principles of Real Estate and passing the course final exam only qualifies you to sit for the PSI state exam. You still need to pass PSI, clear the background check, and be approved by DPOR before you hold a license.
Passing PSI is not active practice authorization
A passing PSI score is not itself a license. You still need DPOR to issue the license and, generally, firm affiliation before you can practice and earn commission.
PLE is not the same as CE
The 30-hour post-license education (PLE) required in your first year is a separate requirement from the continuing education (CE) required at later renewals. PLE credits do not substitute for CE, and vice versa.
“Virginia Real Estate Commission” is a search term, not the regulator's name
People often search for a “Virginia Real Estate Commission,” but the actual regulator is the Virginia Real Estate Board, operating under DPOR. See the regulator guide for the distinction.

Responsibility map

VREB sets licensing rules; DPOR processes forms and issues licenses.
PSI administers the exam and PSI/Fieldprint options support fingerprints.
Firm/broker information and signature are required for an active application.

Choose your stage

Checking eligibilityStart with requirements.Need educationReview approved course rules.Ready to applyPrepare the signed form.

Active or inactive application

Apply active with firm or sole-proprietor information and broker signature, or apply without affiliation and receive an inactive license. An inactive license does not authorize licensed activity.

Out-of-state pathway resolver

Standard, traditional reciprocity, and Universal License Recognition are separate routes. Compare the out-of-state pathways.

First-year PLE warning
Complete 30 hours of PLE within one year from the last day of the issuance month.
Technology Fee notice
The $7.25 per license year Technology Fee took effect July 1, 2026 and is currently scheduled through June 30, 2030.

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All Virginia guides

All Virginia GuidesVA Real Estate License RequirementsHow to Get a Real Estate License in VAVA Real Estate License CourseReal Estate License Online in VAVA Real Estate License CostHow Long to Get a Real Estate License in VAVA Real Estate License ExamVA Real Estate Exam PrepVA Real Estate License ApplicationVA Real Estate License Lookup & VerificationVA Real Estate License Renewal & PLE/CEVA Real Estate License ReciprocityVirginia Real Estate Commission (Regulator Explained)
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