Real Estate Agent / Salesperson / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Real Estate Agent / Salesperson License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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What the Virginia data shows for Real Estate Agent / Salespersons

To practice as a real estate agent / salesperson in Virginia, the state licensing board requires 97 documented education or training hours, a passing score on State Real Estate Salesperson Exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Pre-License Coursework".

The initial price tag is $170, and renewal costs $145 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 4 weeks to process once complete. The license also carries an ongoing 16-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, real estate agent / salespersons should know: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
64/100
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
97 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$139
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$59/yr
$117 every 2 years
Continuing Education B-
6.0 hrs/yr
12 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Pre-License Coursework
97 hours
Exam Requirement
State Real Estate Salesperson Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$139
Renewal Fee
$117
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
4 wks
Continuing Education
12 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, the license path calls for 97 education/training hours, a passing score on State Real Estate Salesperson Exam, and a $139 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Virginia? ▼
Certification as a real estate agent / salesperson in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 97 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Real Estate Agent / Salesperson license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for real estate agent / salespersons nationally works like this: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Virginia. Verify the specifics with the Virginia licensing board.
Does Virginia require a background check for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson licensing? ▼
Virginia does require a background check before issuing a real estate agent / salesperson license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as a real estate agent / salesperson in Virginia, plan on 12 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $117.
How much does it cost to get a Real Estate Agent / Salesperson license in Virginia? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Virginia is $170. The renewal fee is $145 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 4 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Real Estate Agent / Salesperson license processing take in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, license processing for real estate agent / salespersons typically takes approximately 4 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this real estate agent / salesperson license

Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a real estate agent / salesperson-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.