Interested to try your hand in real estate?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’re going to give you a complete, up-to-date guide on how to get a real estate license online in Virginia.
Yes, you can now obtain a license almost completely online!
Not only that, but we’ll also leave you with some recommendations, notes, and a FAQs section to help you understand everything you need to know.
We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started!
Qualifications for a Real Estate License in Virginia
To qualify for a real estate license, you must:
- Be at least 18-years old
- Hold a high-school diploma or GED
- Be a US citizen or legal alien
Yes, that’s all it takes.
Requirements to Getting a Real Estate License Online in Virginia
As for requirements, you need to fulfill all these steps:
Step 1: Take a real estate pre-licensing course
Step 2: Pass the Virginia real estate exam
Step 3: Submit a background check
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
Step 5: Apply for a real estate license
Let’s look into the details.
Step 1: Take a real estate pre-licensing course
For your educational requirements, you need to take a 60-hour salesperson real estate pre-licensing course. Make sure that the course is approved by the state.
To receive proof of education (a.k.a your certificate of completion), you will most likely have to pass an end-of-course exam.
The best news is that you can take this course completely online!
So if you’re looking for a great online real estate school, we highly recommend AceableAgent.
AceableAgent is a renowned online real estate school that ranks as one of the best providers of online education in the industry.
With their Virginia-approved course, you’ll also get access to a whole host of different interactive study tools, such as mini-games, to optimize your learning experience.
Better yet, you’ll get a stellar mobile app that’ll allow you to take this course on the go. You can get done with the requirements no matter where you are.
Also, with a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, you can rest assured that you’re getting a tried and tested course appreciated by thousands of successful realtors across Virginia.
Step 2: Pass the Virginia real estate exam
Once your online real estate school sends a copy of your certificate of completion to the PSI, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Virginia real estate exam.
You can apply for the exam online through the PSI’s website (you will need to create an account if you don’t already have one).
But first, you need approval by submitting the Examination Registration Form (found on pages 14 and 15) to:
PSI * ATTN: Examination Services VA RE
3210 E Tropicana Ave * Las Vegas, NV* 89121
Once approved, you can schedule your exam and pay the $60 examination fee on their site.
On exam day, don’t forget to bring 2 valid forms of ID, with at least one being government-issued to your designated testing center. Don’t forget to bring a non-programmable calculator, too, as this will help you with the math questions.
What can you expect from the Virginia real estate exam?
Well, it consists of two portions - state and national.
The state has 40 questions that you’ll need to complete in 45 minutes, while the national has 80 questions with 105 minutes (1.7hrs) to complete.
To pass, you need to score 30 correct for the state and 56 correct for the national.
For more information regarding examination procedures, consult the PSI handbook.
Step 3: Submit a background check
Then, you have to provide copies of your fingerprints to a PSI examination center. This may be done right after your exam if the PSI examination center supports such a facility.
If it doesn’t, then a detailed list of fingerprint testing sites can be found on the PSI website and in the PSI handbook.
No prior appointment is necessary to get fingerprinted. You will have to pay $52 for this process, though.
After submitting copies of your fingerprints, the PSI will inform you of your background check results within 4 to 6 weeks.
Can’t felons get a real estate license in Virginia?
It depends.
Felons are still eligible to receive a license. The final decision, however, will rest with the Virginia Real Estate Committee, which will judge each applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
The last step before finally applying for your real estate license is to look for a sponsoring broker.
Often, people tend to rush through this process to get their license as soon as possible.
But you should always take the time to evaluate all local brokerage firms available based on their experience, reputation, commission structure, and corporate culture.
Note: some brokers may be more demanding of their agents with normal office hours and a formal dress code. Other brokers may be more flexible, allowing agents to work when they want.
Your decision will depend heavily on whether you’re looking to do real estate full-time or as a side gig.
Step 5: Apply for a real estate license
When all the above steps are completed, it's time to file your final application to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).
Unfortunately, the DPOR’s official website does not offer an online application at the moment.
So you’ll have to complete this form, attach all required documents (stated in the form), and pay a license fee of $170. Send these to the following address:
Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, Virginia
Real Estate License in Virginia FAQs
Do I need to take real estate post-licensing courses in Virginia?
Yes.
Within 1 year of receiving your real estate license, you need to complete a 30-hour real estate post-licensing course.
If you fail to do this, your license will be inactivated. And you can’t practice real estate with an inactive license.
If you’re looking for an online real estate post-licensing course, check out Colibri Real Estate!
You can choose between 2 packages, each one with the 30 hours required course, great support, discussion board, and much more.
When do I have to complete real estate continuing education courses in Virginia?
After your post-licensing education, subsequent renewals will require you to complete 16 hours of CE courses every 2 years.
As for online CE courses, McKissock is your best bet.
They offer the best value for money package called the VA McKissock CE PLUS Membership.
For only $190, you get one-year unlimited access to all CE courses in the state, plus 100+ job aides, coaching tools, webinars, a boot camp, and much more.
Should I choose online or in-person real estate courses?
In-person real estate courses do have a few advantages. I mean, you’ll be able to network with your peers and interact with your instructors. However, attending these lessons can be difficult due to the rigid timetables schools often impose.
Online courses solve this by allowing you to access the course materials 24/7, giving you the ability to control your study schedule.
Moreover, online schools often include a whole host of different interactive features that can improve retention and make the learning experience more enjoyable.
How much do real estate courses cost in Virginia?
It’s hard to say. But to give you a rough estimate, in-person schools cost around $500 on average. Online schools, on the other hand, are much cheaper with courses under $200. (This is another reason why online courses are better.)
Conclusion
Interested to try your hand in real estate?
Don’t know how to get started?
With our complete 2023 guide on how to get a real estate license online in Virginia, you’ll get all your answers.
So what are you waiting for?
Apply for an online real estate pre-licensing course today to get started!
Good luck!