Holding a Virginia real estate license allows you to make more money than the typical American agent, making it a very attractive career option.
Each state has its own requirements, however, getting a real estate license in Virginia only needs a few simple steps. In a few weeks, prospective licensees can obtain their real estate licenses.
Let’s dive into this article together with RealEstate-Prep to find out the most comprehensive guide to becoming a real estate agent in Virginia in 2024.
Don’t forget to take our free VA Virginia Real Estate practice exam to get familiarized with the format as well as the questions of the actual exam to strengthen your knowledge and skills, as a result, enhancing your chance to pass the Real Estate exam with a high score on your first attempt. Good luck to you!
Requirements To Get A Virginia Real Estate License
For anyone looking to become a Virginia real estate agent, the state’s DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) has a few fundamental criteria, to be eligible, you must:
- At least 18 years old.
- Possess a GED or have a high school diploma.
- Be a U.S. citizen or you have the lawful right to live and work in the United States.
- Have a strong moral character.
If you can check those boxes, you can continue to research your new industry.
How To Obtain a Virginia Real Estate License
In Virginia, becoming a real estate agent is as simple as taking courses, passing an exam, and submitting an application. Here is the most complete guide to getting a real estate license in Virginia in 2024.
Step 1. Complete a 60-Hour Prelicensing Course
To obtain a Virginia real estate license, you must first complete a 60-hour prelicensing course. A list of approved real estate schools can be found on the website of the Virginia Real Estate Board.
Before you may apply for your state license exam in Virginia, you must pass a prelicensing course exam. You must have a proctor for your prelicensing course exam, either in person or online.
Step 2. Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam
You have 2.5 hours to complete the Virginia Real Estate exam with 120 multiple-choice questions.
You’ll need to get ready for the Virginia real estate license exam after you’ve completed your courses. The 120-question test will take you 2 and a half hours to complete. You can book your license exam online and pay the $60 exam fee. PSI Testing is responsible for administering the license exam.
The Virginia Real Estate Agent Exam is broken down as follows.
| National Part of the Exam | 80 questions | 105 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| State of VA Part of the Exam | 40 questions | 45 minutes |
| Total | 120 questions | 150 minutes |
Seven testing locations are spread out over Virginia and its neighboring states:
- Charlottesville.
- Richmond.
- Roanoke.
- Vienna.
- Virginia Beach.
- Johnson City, TN.
- Salisbury, MD.
You can think about getting an exam preparation package from a real estate school when it comes time to study. Exam preparation packages make sure you feel confident when you take your license exam. They consist of study materials like flashcards or study guides, as well as practice questions and mock exams.
Be there 30 minutes before the exam’s start time. At the PSI testing center, you must present two forms of identification:
- A valid government-issued ID including your photograph and signature.
- A valid ID containing your signature and preprinted name.
As soon as you complete the exam, your score report will show up on the screen. On the national portion, a passing score is 56/80, and on the state portion, a score of 30/40.
Step 3. Pass a Background Check
It’s now time to complete your background check using fingerprints. There is no need to schedule an appointment; PSI Testing facilities provide fingerprinting on a first-come, first-served basis and charge $52. Visit one of the five testing sites in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Charlottesville, or Vienna. To learn more, visit the PSI Testing website.
If you want to apply for your license soon after your exam but don’t want to wait 4 to 6 weeks for your background check to be completed, think about doing it before you take the exam.
Step 4. Join a VA Real Estate Brokerage
You must work for a real estate sponsoring broker in order to submit an application for your Virginia real estate license. Real estate brokers are aware of this process since they went through it when starting their careers. They are happy to accept new agents, especially during busy times.
Visit local real estate agencies to get started on your job search. You can get assistance from a sponsoring broker as you make your way through your new career.
Step 5. Apply for Your License
It’s now time to submit your Virginia real estate license application. On the Virginia DPOR website, first, complete the real estate salesperson application. You must fill out, sign, and mail the application to the DPOR with the $170 license application fee.
Be advised that you have 45 days from the time you get your fingerprints taken to submit your license application. You will have to pay to have your fingerprints taken again if they don’t receive your license application within that time frame
Virginia Real Estate License Costs
Obtaining a real estate license in Virginia will cost you slightly about $600. Some of these costs, like the application, exam, and fingerprinting fees, are fixed. On the other hand, the cost of your prelicensing course can vary based on the package you choose.
You can often select among live, in-person classes, self-paced online classes, or Livestream sessions, and most schools offer several tiers of packages to meet your needs.
| Prelicensing Classes (60 Hours) | $289 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA Real Estate License Exam Fee | $60 | |||||
| License Fee | $170 | |||||
| Fingerprinting Fee | $52 | |||||
| Total Cost | $571 |
How Long Will It Take To Get A Real Estate License In Virginia?
Getting your real estate license usually takes four (4) months. However, a lot of people take much longer or much less time to obtain their Virginia real estate license. A license can be obtained in some weeks, however, you can take your time and complete the licensing process over the course of a year.
The kind of pre-license coursework a potential licensee chooses to take and how quickly they complete the courses will determine how long it will take them to get a Virginia real estate license.
When attending real estate school online, a student finishes courses at their own pace. If someone needs to take more time on their coursework or wants to finish their studies more quickly, online courses can be helpful.
An individual in a classroom setting must follow along at the group’s pace. This choice is suitable for people who prefer to interact with their classmates and are more motivated in a school setting.
FAQs
Is it really hard to pass the VA real estate exam?
What score must I obtain to pass the Virginia real estate examination? You must obtain a score of at least 75% on the Virginia real estate exam to pass. Anyone who has finished an Exam Prep course finds passing the exam to be substantially less stressful.
How many times can I take the Virginia real estate exam?
The Virginia real estate exam can be taken as many times as you want. Simply pay $60 for each attempt at the license exam. If you’re not sure you’ll pass your license exam, think about buying an exam preparation package from a real estate school.
Can I take the Virginia real estate exam online?
This test can be completed on a computer, please be aware that this is not an open-book test.
How much money do Virginia real estate agents make?
Virginia real estate agents will make, on average, $89,089 per year as of March 2022. Since real estate is a commission-based career, your earning potential is virtually limitless. You can have a lucrative and lucrative real estate career in Virginia if you are persistent and work hard.
What happens if you have a real estate license from another state?
Only the state portion of the Virginia real estate license exam must be completed and passed if you already have a current real estate salesperson or broker license from another state.
How many questions are there in the Virginia real estate exam?
The salesperson exam consists of 40 state-specific questions and 80 national questions. You must correctly answer 30 questions from the state portion and at least 56 questions from the national section in order to pass. 50 state-specific questions and 80 questions from throughout the country make up the broker exam.
Conclusion
The average real estate salary is $47,930 and real estate agents in Virginia make an average of $49,060 a year, but the salary ranges from $36,000 to $100,000+ a year, depending on experience and expertise.
So holding a Virginia real estate license allows you to make more money than the typical American agent, making it a very attractive career option.
In any state, getting a real estate license can be a bit daunting. However, obtaining a real estate license in Virginia is simply provided you adhere to a few simple rules. We hope that our detailed instructions for getting your Virginia real estate license have you excited to begin your new career.
