Step 1: Make sure you’re eligible before you pay for anything

Virginia’s baseline requirements are simple, but they’re not flexible. You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED. DPOR also requires you to provide a Social Security number or a Virginia DMV control number on the application.

If you have any criminal history, don’t assume it’s an automatic “no.” Virginia asks you to disclose it and may require supporting documentation. The bigger issue is inconsistency or omission, not the fact that something happened years ago.

Step 2: Complete the 60-hour “Principles of Real Estate” course

This is the core gate. The course is required and must be Board-approved. Most people choose online because it’s self-paced, but classroom options are still common if you prefer structure.

Expect the curriculum to feel more like “consumer protection law” than “sales.” You’ll spend real time on agency, contracts, disclosures, fair housing, basic finance, and Virginia-specific rules. You’ll also take your school’s final exam and receive proof of completion when you pass.

Step 3: Pass the Virginia Salesperson exam (PSI)

Virginia uses PSI as the exam vendor. The salesperson exam is split into two timed sections:

National portion: 80 questions (105 minutes)
Virginia portion: 40 questions (45 minutes)

You need to pass both sections. If you pass one and fail the other, you typically only retake the section you missed, which is a relief.

One small but important detail: DPOR notes that exam sites outside Virginia can’t do electronic fingerprinting. If you plan to test out of state, you’ll need a separate fingerprint plan.

Step 4: Do fingerprints at the right moment (the “45-day clock”)

Fingerprinting is required for the background check, and Virginia is strict about timing. Once DPOR receives your fingerprint results, your completed application needs to be on file within 45 days, or you may have to be fingerprinted again.

That’s why many applicants do fingerprints at a Virginia PSI site (walk-in hours are available) right after they pass, then submit the application immediately. Fieldprint is the other main option if you need an appointment-based location.

Step 5: Submit your DPOR Salesperson License Application (active or inactive)

Virginia’s Salesperson License Application currently has no online option, so you’ll be mailing a complete packet with the fee.

A few things to get right here:

• Fee: The current salesperson license application fee is $230.

• Deadline: Your application must be submitted within one year of your initial exam date, or you’ll need to re-test.

• Active vs inactive: You can apply as active if you’re affiliating with a licensed Virginia firm/sole proprietor (you’ll provide the firm details). If you don’t affiliate yet, you’ll be issued inactive.

This is where people lose weeks. Not because the process is complicated, but because one missing piece can pause the file.

Step 6: Finish Post-License Education in your first year

Virginia doesn’t let new agents “set it and forget it” after getting licensed.

If you’re a newly licensed salesperson and you’re active, you must complete 30 hours of Post-License Education (PLE) within one year (nine specific courses, not a random 30 hours). If you miss that deadline, your license can be placed on inactive status until you fix it.

Virginia’s PLE curriculum is broken into these topics: Fair Housing/ADA/Civil Rights, Real Estate Law & Regulations, Ethics, Current Industry Issues, Agency Law, Contract Writing, Risk Management, Escrow Requirements, and Real Estate-Related Finance.

After you’re past your “new licensee” stage and you’ve renewed at least once, Virginia’s continuing education requirements kick in for experienced licensees, and those requirements change slightly based on your expiration date.

What it usually costs and how long it usually takes

Most people finish in 2–4 months if they stay consistent. Nights-and-weekends learners often land closer to the 3–6 month range because exam scheduling and application processing add calendar time.

Cost depends on your school, but the predictable state-level costs look like this:

• PSI exam fee: $60

• Fingerprinting/background check: varies by vendor

• DPOR application fee: $230

• Course tuition: varies by provider

If you’re already licensed in another state

Virginia does allow applying through reciprocity, but it’s not “automatic.” DPOR’s summary is clear: for a salesperson license by reciprocity, you must pass the Virginia (state) portion of the exam, show completion of a 60-hour Principles of Real Estate course (substantially equivalent), and submit license certifications from every jurisdiction where you’re licensed.

FAQs

How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Virginia?

Most people finish in about 2–4 months if they keep momentum. The course can be completed quickly, but exam scheduling, fingerprint timing, and DPOR processing create the real timeline. If you finish your course and wait weeks to schedule the exam, the process stretches out fast.

Can I take the Virginia pre-licensing course online?

Yes. Many applicants do the 60-hour course online through a Board-approved provider. Online tends to be faster because you control the pace, but you still have to pass the exam and submit a complete application packet.

Do I need a broker before I apply?

Not necessarily. Virginia allows you to be issued an inactive license if you aren’t affiliating with a firm yet. If you want to start working immediately, you’ll want a sponsoring broker lined up so you can apply as active without delays.

How hard is the Virginia real estate exam?

It’s not “advanced,” but it’s precise. The questions are written in exam language, and small wording differences matter. People struggle when they study passively or skip practice questions. If you’re consistently passing full-length practice exams, the real test feels fair.

What happens if I miss the post-license education deadline?

If you don’t complete the 30-hour PLE within the required one-year window, Virginia can place your license on inactive status. You can’t practice with an inactive license, so this is a deadline worth treating like a hard stop.

What if I have a misdemeanor or felony?

It depends on the situation. Virginia requires disclosure and may require documentation. A record isn’t always disqualifying, but failing to disclose or trying to “work around” the question is what creates major problems.

I’m licensed elsewhere. Can I transfer to Virginia?

Virginia offers a reciprocity route, but you still have to meet Virginia’s requirements. In most cases, that includes passing the Virginia portion of the exam and providing license certifications and education verification.