Education Requirements

Requirements for becoming a Realtor® and continuing your education.

I want to become a Realtor®

Take the first steps to start your career as a Realtor®.

I am a Salesperson

Renewing your license with classes at FAAR.

I am a New Agent

Your post-license education starts here.

I am a Broker

FAAR offers Continuing Education for Brokers.

I want to become a Realtor®

Steps to Apply for a Real Estate License

Salespersons and Brokers

Only after reviewing: all four steps below, the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (see step 2), and the entire application form (see step 4), contact Board staff if you still have questions.

Virginia Real Estate Board Contact Information:

(804) 368-8526 | reboard@dpor.virginia.gov | www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Real-Estate/

Step 1: Complete pre-license education
*Even if you are applying “by reciprocity” from another state.

Successfully complete approved pre-license real estate courses.

  • 60 hours for salespersons
  • 180 hours for brokers

 

BROKER EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

Broker applicants must have been “actively engaged” in real estate full-time (averaging 40 hours per week) for 36 of the 48 months prior to applying.

*no experience requirement for salesperson applicants

 

Visit www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Real-Estate/Pre-License/

For more information, approved schools and courses, and a chart of clock hours of broker education acceptable from other states.

Step 2: Pass the Virginia and National exams
*Exam scores are only valid for one year, and then they expire.

Apply to take the national and state portions of the exam. Download the Candidate Information Bulletin from the Board’s vendor, PSI Exams (https://candidate.psiexams.com/), to learn how to register.

Select GOVERNMENT/STATE LICENSING AGENCIES, choose VIRGINIA as the jurisdiction, then VA REAL ESTATE for account, and finally on VA SALESPERSON or VA BROKER for classification.

 

RECIPROCITY APPLICANTS:

If you are already licensed in another state and your out-of-state license is not expired, then you only need to pass the “state” part of the Virginia exam.

*Exam registration by mail or fax only (no online option for reciprocity applicants).

Step 3: Get your fingerprints taken
*Background checks expire after 45 days. Only necessary if not currently licensed as a salesperson in Virginia.

If you live in Virginia, you must have your fingerprints taken at a PSI testing location in Virginia.

Even if you live outside of Virginia, you are highly encouraged to get your fingerprints taken at a Virginia PSI testing location because it will speed up the mandatory background check process.

*If you do not live in Virginia, and are unable to get your fingerprints taken at a Virginia PSI testing location, please contact the Board office.

A complete application must be on file with the Board within 45 days – or else you will have to get your fingerprints taken again for an additional fee.

Step 4: Print, complete, sign and mail application
*Use most recent form download directly from DPOR website.

A license cannot be issued until your application is 100% accurate and complete.

  1. All questions answered.
  2. All document + fee attached.
  3. Background check is not older than 45 days.

 

Special notes for BROKER APPLICANTS:

Sale Proprietor broker applicants: Be sure to mark the application correctly and include all required documentation.

Principal Broker applicants opening your own firm: Attach a complete FIRM application to your accurate and complete individual broker application.

 

Special notes for RECIPROCITY APPLICANTS:

Licensure certification from other state(s) must be dated less than 60 days from the time we received your complete and accurate application.

Certifications of licensure are required from ALL states where you are or have been licensed to practice real estate.

 

*Only after reviewing: (1) all four steps above, (2) the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, and (3) the entire application form, contact Board staff if you still have questions.

Virginia Real Estate Board Contact Information:

(804) 368-8526 | reboard@dpor.virginia.gov | www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Real-Estate/

Online Pre-Licensing

Earn your VA Real estate license with the 60-hour Virginia Principles and Practices of Real Estate for Salespersons Course.

Join FAAR

Benefit from FAAR’s resources to deliver professional and ethical service.

I am a New Agent

Post Licensure for New Agents

Section 54.1-2105.01 of the Code of Virginia requires all active new salesperson licensees to complete a Board-approved 30-hour post-license education (PLE) curriculum within one year of obtaining their salesperson licenses (in order to remain on active status). The 30-hour PLE program consists of eight courses:

  • Fair Housing, ADA and Civil Rights (2 hours)
  • Real Estate Law and Regulations (8 hours)
  • Ethics and Standards of Conduct (3 hours)
  • Current Industry Issues and Trends (2 hours)
  • Agency Law (3 hours)
  • Contract Writing (6 hours)
  • Risk Management (3 hours)
  • Escrow Requirements (3 hours)

New salespersons may complete the eight courses and 30 hours among different Board-approved education providers. As of January 1, 2014, there is only one approved post-license education curriculum (without practice “tracks”) that covers course topics as noted above.

Register for Classes

Get the real classroom experience – find and register for in-person courses held at FAAR’s Headquarters.

Online Post-Licensing

The Post-Licensing package meets all of the requirements for Salespersons renewing within one year of obtaining their license.

I am a Salesperson

Salesperson Continuing Education

Salespersons must complete 16 hours of CE to renew their License(s).

  • Mandatory Topics – 8 hours:
  • Agency (1 hour)
  • Ethics (3 hours)
  • Fair Housing (2 hours)
  • Legal Updates with Flood Instruction (1 hour)
  • Contracts (1 hour)
  • Elective Topics – 8 hours

For additional information on licensing requirements, contact DPOR.

Register for Classes

Get the real classroom experience – find and register for in-person courses held at FAAR’s Headquarters.

Online Continuing Education

The CE package meets all of the requirements for active Sales license renewals in their second or subsequent renewal cycle.

I am a Broker

Broker Continuing Education

Brokers must complete 24 hours of CE to renew their License(s).

  • Mandatory Topics – 16 hours:
  • Broker Management & Agent Supervision (8 hours)
  • Agency (1 hour)
  • Ethics (3 hours)
  • Fair Housing (2 hours)
  • Legal Updates with Flood Instruction (1 hour)
  • Contracts (1 hour)
  • Elective Topics – 8 hours

For additional information on licensing requirements, contact DPOR.

Register for Classes

Get the real classroom experience – find and register for in-person courses held at FAAR’s Headquarters.

Online Continuing Education

The CE package for Brokers meets all of the requirements for active Broker licensees.

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