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Virginia Real Estate Salesperson — Requirements & Free Practice

US-VA · License preparation

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Business Entity Salesperson's License

Separate business entity salesperson license, including a real estate team licensed in this form. Individual participants retain their own licenses.

Licensing authority: Real Estate Board · Application information

New business entity application after expiration exceeding one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Identify the licensed firm or sole proprietor and responsible broker.
Application
Provide the signed application, identifying information, participating-license details, broker approval and prescribed fee.
Expiration
The current entity application requires a new entity license after more than one year of expiration; the individual-license prerequisites remain separate.
Individual licenses
Every owner or officer actively participating must hold a salesperson or broker license; entity licensure does not replace it.
Organization
Organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business here; register assumed or fictitious names with the SCC.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Initial business entity salesperson license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Identify the licensed firm or sole proprietor and responsible broker.
Application
Provide the signed application, identifying information, participating-license details, broker approval and prescribed fee.
Individual licenses
Every owner or officer actively participating must hold a salesperson or broker license; entity licensure does not replace it.
Organization
Organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business here; register assumed or fictitious names with the SCC.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Reactivation of entity license after restored business authorization
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Identify the licensed firm or sole proprietor and responsible broker.
Application
Provide the signed application, identifying information, participating-license details, broker approval and prescribed fee.
Authorization
18VAC135-20-170(C) permits termination when business authority ceases, until evidence shows the entity is authorized again.
Individual licenses
Every owner or officer actively participating must hold a salesperson or broker license; entity licensure does not replace it.
Organization
Organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business here; register assumed or fictitious names with the SCC.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Reinstatement of business entity license within one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Identify the licensed firm or sole proprietor and responsible broker.
Application
Provide the signed application, identifying information, participating-license details, broker approval and prescribed fee.
Individual licenses
Every owner or officer actively participating must hold a salesperson or broker license; entity licensure does not replace it.
Organization
Organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business here; register assumed or fictitious names with the SCC.
Window
Reinstate within one year using the business-entity license/reinstatement application and fee; individual educational obligations remain separate.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Renewal of business entity salesperson license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board review
Subject to denial grounds in 18VAC135-20-150.
Procedure
Pay the business-entity renewal fee on the applicable two-year cycle; participating individuals maintain their own licenses and education.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Business entity salesperson license for a real estate team
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Identify the licensed firm or sole proprietor and responsible broker.
Application
Provide the signed application, identifying information, participating-license details, broker approval and prescribed fee.
Individual licenses
Every owner or officer actively participating must hold a salesperson or broker license; entity licensure does not replace it.
Organization
Organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business here; register assumed or fictitious names with the SCC.
Team organization
Two or more persons in one brokerage, one or more licensed, work and present themselves as a unit under a fictitious name; § 54.1-2106.1(D) requires a business entity salesperson license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Transfer of business entity license to another brokerage
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Identify the licensed firm or sole proprietor and responsible broker.
Application
Provide the signed application, identifying information, participating-license details, broker approval and prescribed fee.
Individual licenses
Every owner or officer actively participating must hold a salesperson or broker license; entity licensure does not replace it.
Organization
Organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business here; register assumed or fictitious names with the SCC.
Transfer
Use the business-entity transfer application when transferring or after termination without expiration; maintain licensed members and broker approval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Real Estate Salesperson License

Individual salesperson license; active and inactive are statuses of the same license.

Licensing authority: Real Estate Board · Application information

Activation or reactivation of an inactive individual license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the activation application with a licensed firm or sole proprietor; do not practice until Board issuance.
Inactive over 30 days
Complete applicable continuing education within two years before activation if inactive for more than 30 days.
Inactive over three years
Meet current prelicense education if inactive for more than three years.
Waiver
§ 54.1-2105.04(B) permits education waiver for qualifying occupations retaining real-estate knowledge or an overseas military member/spouse maintaining current knowledge.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Initial licensure by education and examination
Course testing
Testing used to verify course completion is an education condition, not a separate licensing examination.
Discipline disclosure
Report professional or occupational discipline in any jurisdiction; the Board may deny or approve after review under 18VAC135-20-30.
Education
Pass a Board-approved principles-of-real-estate course of at least 60 hours or the statutory academic equivalent before sitting for the examination and applying. The Board may waive equivalent education under § 54.1-2105(C) and 18VAC135-20-35(F).
Existing license certifications
Provide original certifications or good-standing letters, dated within 60 days, for every other jurisdiction where a current or expired real estate license is held.
Fees
Submit the prescribed fee and applicable recovery-fund assessment.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints and disclose all felony convictions and specified misdemeanors within five years. The Board evaluates under Va. Code § 54.1-204. The July 1, 2026 application requires a completed application within 90 days after Board receipt of fingerprint results.
High school
High school diploma or equivalent.
Law acknowledgment
Sign a statement that the applicant has read and understands the regulations and Va. Code Title 54.1, Chapter 21.
License status
For active status affiliate with a licensed firm or sole proprietor and obtain the responsible broker’s signature; the application permits issuance on inactive status otherwise.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Nonresident service
A nonresident consents to process served through the DPOR Director under Va. Code § 54.1-2111.
Score time window
18VAC135-20-35(D) requires examination passage within 12 months before the complete application. PSI page 15 additionally states: "Your completed application must be submitted within 1 year from the initial examination date when you ORIGINALLY took the examination." Expired portions must be retaken.
Exchange of broker license for salesperson license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed exchange application and fee.
Later broker license
A later broker application requires the current broker examination, education and experience; that different profession examination is a condition, not a salesperson leaf.
Termination
All current broker licenses cease to exist.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

New application after expiration exceeding one year
Board permission
PSI page 7 requires a permission letter for expired Virginia licensees and both state and national portions.
Course testing
Testing used to verify course completion is an education condition, not a separate licensing examination.
Discipline disclosure
Report professional or occupational discipline in any jurisdiction; the Board may deny or approve after review under 18VAC135-20-30.
Education
Pass a Board-approved principles-of-real-estate course of at least 60 hours or the statutory academic equivalent before sitting for the examination and applying. The Board may waive equivalent education under § 54.1-2105(C) and 18VAC135-20-35(F).
Existing license certifications
Provide original certifications or good-standing letters, dated within 60 days, for every other jurisdiction where a current or expired real estate license is held.
Expired license
After one year past expiration, 18VAC135-20-140(C) prohibits reinstatement; meet current educational and examination requirements and apply as a new applicant.
Fees
Submit the prescribed fee and applicable recovery-fund assessment.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints and disclose all felony convictions and specified misdemeanors within five years. The Board evaluates under Va. Code § 54.1-204. The July 1, 2026 application requires a completed application within 90 days after Board receipt of fingerprint results.
High school
High school diploma or equivalent.
Law acknowledgment
Sign a statement that the applicant has read and understands the regulations and Va. Code Title 54.1, Chapter 21.
License status
For active status affiliate with a licensed firm or sole proprietor and obtain the responsible broker’s signature; the application permits issuance on inactive status otherwise.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Nonresident service
A nonresident consents to process served through the DPOR Director under Va. Code § 54.1-2111.
Score time window
18VAC135-20-35(D) requires examination passage within 12 months before the complete application. PSI page 15 additionally states: "Your completed application must be submitted within 1 year from the initial examination date when you ORIGINALLY took the examination." Expired portions must be retaken.
First renewal of an individual salesperson license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Course testing
Course-completion testing is an education condition, not a separately identified licensing examination.
Education
Complete 30 hours of postlicense education within the first year, active or inactive; failure places the license inactive until completion.
Procedure
Pay the renewal fee; failure to receive notice does not excuse renewal.
Term
Two-year license term measured from the last day of the issuance month.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

New application after Recovery Fund revocation and repayment
Course testing
Testing used to verify course completion is an education condition, not a separate licensing examination.
Disciplinary review
Repayment neither nullifies disciplinary proceedings nor compels licensure under § 54.1-2120; current licensing requirements and Board review apply.
Discipline disclosure
Report professional or occupational discipline in any jurisdiction; the Board may deny or approve after review under 18VAC135-20-30.
Education
Pass a Board-approved principles-of-real-estate course of at least 60 hours or the statutory academic equivalent before sitting for the examination and applying. The Board may waive equivalent education under § 54.1-2105(C) and 18VAC135-20-35(F).
Existing license certifications
Provide original certifications or good-standing letters, dated within 60 days, for every other jurisdiction where a current or expired real estate license is held.
Fees
Submit the prescribed fee and applicable recovery-fund assessment.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints and disclose all felony convictions and specified misdemeanors within five years. The Board evaluates under Va. Code § 54.1-204. The July 1, 2026 application requires a completed application within 90 days after Board receipt of fingerprint results.
High school
High school diploma or equivalent.
Law acknowledgment
Sign a statement that the applicant has read and understands the regulations and Va. Code Title 54.1, Chapter 21.
License status
For active status affiliate with a licensed firm or sole proprietor and obtain the responsible broker’s signature; the application permits issuance on inactive status otherwise.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Nonresident service
A nonresident consents to process served through the DPOR Director under Va. Code § 54.1-2111.
Repayment
§ 54.1-2119 bars reapplication until the complete fund payment plus judgment-rate interest has been repaid.
Score time window
18VAC135-20-35(D) requires examination passage within 12 months before the complete application. PSI page 15 additionally states: "Your completed application must be submitted within 1 year from the initial examination date when you ORIGINALLY took the examination." Expired portions must be retaken.
Protected expiration extension during overseas service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
A Virginia citizen serving outside the United States in armed or diplomatic service, or an accompanying military spouse, under § 54.1-117.
Period
Protected during qualifying service and 60 days thereafter, up to five years after original expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Expedited permanent licensure for a military spouse
Real Estate Salesperson Examination — Virginia State Portion
Discipline disclosure
Report professional or occupational discipline in any jurisdiction; the Board may deny or approve after review under 18VAC135-20-30.
Documents
Submit the military-spouse supplement, underlying complete salesperson application, fees, supporting documents, military-dependent ID and orders or veteran paperwork.
Equivalency
The Board determines substantial equivalency and may waive experience requirements; there must be no act constituting grounds for discipline.
Equivalent education
Education must be substantially equivalent to Virginia’s salesperson requirements; the current application asks for proof of 60 hours of Principles of Real Estate. Equivalent education may be waived.
Existing license certifications
Provide original certifications or good-standing letters, dated within 60 days, for every other jurisdiction where a current or expired real estate license is held.
Fees
Submit the prescribed fee and applicable recovery-fund assessment.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints and disclose all felony convictions and specified misdemeanors within five years. The Board evaluates under Va. Code § 54.1-204. The July 1, 2026 application requires a completed application within 90 days after Board receipt of fingerprint results.
High school
High school diploma or equivalent.
Law acknowledgment
Sign a statement that the applicant has read and understands the regulations and Va. Code Title 54.1, Chapter 21.
License status
For active status affiliate with a licensed firm or sole proprietor and obtain the responsible broker’s signature; the application permits issuance on inactive status otherwise.
Military eligibility
Hold a same or similar license elsewhere and accompany a spouse on federal active duty, or a veteran who left active duty within one year, to Virginia, an adjoining jurisdiction or the District of Columbia.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Nonresident service
A nonresident consents to process served through the DPOR Director under Va. Code § 54.1-2111.
Other jurisdiction exam
Obtain the other license through a substantially equivalent written examination under 18VAC135-20-35(E)(2). The unnamed or other-jurisdiction examination is a condition, not a Virginia leaf.
Other license
Hold a current salesperson license elsewhere and provide official certifications.
State score window
Pass the Virginia law and Board regulations examination within 12 months before the complete application.
Licensure by reciprocity
Real Estate Salesperson Examination — Virginia State Portion
Discipline disclosure
Report professional or occupational discipline in any jurisdiction; the Board may deny or approve after review under 18VAC135-20-30.
Equivalent education
Education must be substantially equivalent to Virginia’s salesperson requirements; the current application asks for proof of 60 hours of Principles of Real Estate. Equivalent education may be waived.
Existing license certifications
Provide original certifications or good-standing letters, dated within 60 days, for every other jurisdiction where a current or expired real estate license is held.
Fees
Submit the prescribed fee and applicable recovery-fund assessment.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints and disclose all felony convictions and specified misdemeanors within five years. The Board evaluates under Va. Code § 54.1-204. The July 1, 2026 application requires a completed application within 90 days after Board receipt of fingerprint results.
High school
High school diploma or equivalent.
Law acknowledgment
Sign a statement that the applicant has read and understands the regulations and Va. Code Title 54.1, Chapter 21.
License status
For active status affiliate with a licensed firm or sole proprietor and obtain the responsible broker’s signature; the application permits issuance on inactive status otherwise.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Nonresident service
A nonresident consents to process served through the DPOR Director under Va. Code § 54.1-2111.
Other jurisdiction exam
Obtain the other license through a substantially equivalent written examination under 18VAC135-20-35(E)(2). The unnamed or other-jurisdiction examination is a condition, not a Virginia leaf.
Other license
Hold a current salesperson license elsewhere and provide official certifications.
State score window
Pass the Virginia law and Board regulations examination within 12 months before the complete application.
Reinstatement within one year: active individual license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board review
The Board may deny under 18VAC135-20-150 for grounds for refusal or discipline, unmet agreements or orders, or unpaid penalties and costs.
Continuing education
16 hours per term: 2 fair housing, 3 ethics, 2 agency, 2 contracts including escrow, 2 legal updates including flood zones and the National Flood Insurance Program, and 5 electives.
Course verification
Distance-learning completion tests and affidavits are educational conditions, not separate identified licensing examinations.
Expiration window
Within one year after expiration; the reinstatement fee applies after 30 days. No licensed practice while expired.
First term education
Complete applicable postlicense education under 18VAC135-20-95 or continuing education under 18VAC135-20-101 before reinstating and activating.
Hardship
The Board may waive, exempt or reduce hours for certified illness or demonstrated undue hardship under § 54.1-2105.03(D).
Identity
Retain the license number and expiration two years after the previous expiration.
Military deployment
Qualifying deployed or active-duty licensees may finish courses within six months of release.
Multiple licenses
The 11 mandatory hours must be Board approved; eligible other-jurisdiction education may satisfy the five electives.
Nonresidential substitution
A notarized nonresidential-practice affidavit permits other applicable discrimination-law training instead of fair housing.
Residential agency
§ 54.1-2105.03(A)(3) requires the one-time three-hour residential-standard-agency course, subject to the nonresidential affidavit; repetition is not required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Reinstatement within one year: inactive individual license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board review
Subject to denial grounds in 18VAC135-20-150.
Education
No continuing education for inactive reinstatement; applicable first-year postlicense obligations remain.
Expiration window
Within one year after expiration; reinstatement fee applies after 30 days.
Practice
Inactive reinstatement does not authorize active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Reissuance after disciplinary action against the principal broker
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Reissuance
Reissue on the written request of a sole proprietor or principal broker pursuant to 18VAC135-20-170(B); applicable activation or transfer conditions remain.
Returned licenses
Revocation, suspension or denied renewal of the principal broker’s license requires return of affected affiliated individual licenses.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Subsequent renewal: active individual license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
16 hours per term: 2 fair housing, 3 ethics, 2 agency, 2 contracts including escrow, 2 legal updates including flood zones and the National Flood Insurance Program, and 5 electives.
Course verification
Distance-learning completion tests and affidavits are educational conditions, not separate identified licensing examinations.
Hardship
The Board may waive, exempt or reduce hours for certified illness or demonstrated undue hardship under § 54.1-2105.03(D).
Military deployment
Qualifying deployed or active-duty licensees may finish courses within six months of release.
Multiple licenses
The 11 mandatory hours must be Board approved; eligible other-jurisdiction education may satisfy the five electives.
Nonresidential substitution
A notarized nonresidential-practice affidavit permits other applicable discrimination-law training instead of fair housing.
Procedure
Pay the renewal fee before expiration; renew for two years.
Residential agency
§ 54.1-2105.03(A)(3) requires the one-time three-hour residential-standard-agency course, subject to the nonresidential affidavit; repetition is not required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Subsequent renewal: inactive individual license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
No continuing education for inactive subsequent renewal; first-year postlicense obligations remain.
Practice
No active licensed practice while inactive.
Procedure
Pay the renewal fee; inactive status does not remove renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Transfer of an individual license to another brokerage
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the transfer application, fee and the new principal or authorized supervising broker’s signature.
Effectiveness
Effective upon the new broker’s execution.
Internal transfer
No fee for transfer between offices of the same firm or sole proprietor.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Universal license recognition: neighboring jurisdiction
Real Estate Salesperson Examination — Virginia State Portion
Certifications
Submit official certifications or good-standing letters dated within 60 days for all current and expired United States licenses.
Disciplinary history
Va. Code § 54.1-205 permits discipline consisting only of a financial penalty without public harm; 18VAC135-20-65 additionally specifies no public-harm discipline or license probation, suspension, or revocation.
Fee
Pay the applicable reciprocity application fee.
Fingerprints
Meet the criminal-history and fingerprint requirements of 18VAC135-20-30(4), with an application within the Board’s fingerprint-results window.
Good standing
Hold a current, valid license with similar scope of practice, in good standing and without pending complaints or investigations.
Holding period
The neighboring pathway has no minimum holding period; ULR application question 10(B) directs these applicants to skip question 10(C).
License origin
A comparable license in a neighboring jurisdiction under § 54.1-205(A).
State examination
The Board exercises § 54.1-205(E) by requiring the state-law examination, expressly required by the July 1, 2026 ULR application.
Universal license recognition: another United States jurisdiction
Real Estate Salesperson Examination — Virginia State Portion
Certifications
Submit official certifications or good-standing letters dated within 60 days for all current and expired United States licenses.
Disciplinary history
Va. Code § 54.1-205 permits discipline consisting only of a financial penalty without public harm; 18VAC135-20-65 additionally specifies no public-harm discipline or license probation, suspension, or revocation.
Fee
Pay the applicable reciprocity application fee.
Fingerprints
Meet the criminal-history and fingerprint requirements of 18VAC135-20-30(4), with an application within the Board’s fingerprint-results window.
Good standing
Hold a current, valid license with similar scope of practice, in good standing and without pending complaints or investigations.
Holding period
Current Va. Code § 54.1-205(B)(2), independently read through server-side access, requires at least one year. The July 1, 2026 ULR application question 10(C) also requires one year.
Lower ranked rule
18VAC135-20-65(B)(1) still states: "The individual holds a current and valid license with a similar scope of practice in another state, territory, possession, or jurisdiction of the United States for at least three years;" The current statute controls the holding period.
Original licensure
The original jurisdiction required an examination and education, training, or experience; its unnamed examination is an applicant condition.
State examination
The Board exercises § 54.1-205(E) by requiring the state-law examination, expressly required by the July 1, 2026 ULR application.
Universal license recognition: experience where the profession is unlicensed
All initial exams
18VAC135-20-65(C)(2) requires all examinations for initial applicants under 18VAC135-20-35.
Criminal history
Meet 18VAC135-20-30(4), including fingerprinting.
Discipline
No professional discipline involving public harm or probation, suspension or revocation.
Experience
At least three years of salesperson experience where no occupational license is issued; under 18VAC135-20-65(C), qualifying experience meets education, training and experience requirements.
Fees
Pay the applicable application fee.
Form instruction
The July 1, 2026 ULR application question 10(A) instructs an applicant without a current non-Virginia salesperson license to use the ordinary Salesperson License Application. The regulatory experience pathway remains recorded.
Initial licensure using equivalent military training or education
Course testing
Testing used to verify course completion is an education condition, not a separate licensing examination.
Discipline disclosure
Report professional or occupational discipline in any jurisdiction; the Board may deny or approve after review under 18VAC135-20-30.
Education
Pass a Board-approved principles-of-real-estate course of at least 60 hours or the statutory academic equivalent before sitting for the examination and applying. The Board may waive equivalent education under § 54.1-2105(C) and 18VAC135-20-35(F).
Existing license certifications
Provide original certifications or good-standing letters, dated within 60 days, for every other jurisdiction where a current or expired real estate license is held.
Fees
Submit the prescribed fee and applicable recovery-fund assessment.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints and disclose all felony convictions and specified misdemeanors within five years. The Board evaluates under Va. Code § 54.1-204. The July 1, 2026 application requires a completed application within 90 days after Board receipt of fingerprint results.
High school
High school diploma or equivalent.
Law acknowledgment
Sign a statement that the applicant has read and understands the regulations and Va. Code Title 54.1, Chapter 21.
License status
For active status affiliate with a licensed firm or sole proprietor and obtain the responsible broker’s signature; the application permits issuance on inactive status otherwise.
Military credit
Accept substantially equivalent training, education or experience of an honorably discharged service member under § 54.1-118(A), credit equivalent portions, and obtain documentation required by the Board; initial licensing examinations remain required.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Nonresident service
A nonresident consents to process served through the DPOR Director under Va. Code § 54.1-2111.
Score time window
18VAC135-20-35(D) requires examination passage within 12 months before the complete application. PSI page 15 additionally states: "Your completed application must be submitted within 1 year from the initial examination date when you ORIGINALLY took the examination." Expired portions must be retaken.

Temporary Real Estate Salesperson License for a Military Spouse

Temporary license pending equivalency review or completion of Virginia-specific requirements.

Licensing authority: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · Application information

Temporary military spouse license pending review or Virginia requirements
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documents
Submit the military-spouse supplement, underlying application, fees, supporting documents, dependent ID and orders or veteran paperwork.
Duration
Up to 12 months; described as nonrenewable by the Board.
Eligibility
Meet § 54.1-119(A), including comparable licensure and military-spouse status, with no disqualifying disciplinary conduct.
Pending requirements
Authorized practice during review or completion of Virginia-specific requirements; permanent-license examinations belong to the permanent route.
Review
The Board cannot complete documentation review or equivalency determination within 20 days after a complete application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Temporary Real Estate Salesperson License (up to 45 days)

Discretionary temporary license under Va. Code § 54.1-201.1 for a comparable-license holder simultaneously applying for a Virginia license.

Licensing authority: Real Estate Board

Discretionary temporary license pending permanent licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Simultaneously submit a complete permanent Virginia-license application; examinations for the permanent license remain on that permanent route.
Discretion
The Board may issue the temporary license under § 54.1-201.1.
Duration
No more than 45 days; not renewable.
Jurisdiction
Subject to the issuing Board’s jurisdiction.
Other license
Hold a valid comparable license elsewhere in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-04-01.

Real Estate Salesperson Examination — National Portion (Real Estate Principles and Practices)

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
National portion of a state real estate salesperson examination delivered by PSI; a minimum score must be achieved on each portion, and a candidate who fails one portion (state or national) retakes only that portion
Exam questions
80 scored questions (80 points), plus one to ten unscored experimental items
Examination outline
  • I. Property Ownership (Sales 10%, Broker 10%) (10%)
    • A. Real and personal property; conveyances
    • B. Land characteristics and legal descriptions: 1. Metes and bounds method of legal property description; 2. Lot and block (recorded plat) method of legal property description; 3. Government survey (rectangular survey) method of legal property description; 4. Measuring structures (linear and square footage); 5. Land measurement
    • C. Encumbrances and effects on property ownership: 1. Types of liens and their effect on the title and value of real property; 2. Easements, rights of way and licenses, including their effect on the title, value and use of real property; 3. Encroachments and their effect on the title, value and use of real property; 4. Potential encumbrances on title, such as probate, leases, or adverse possession; 5. Property rights that may be conveyed separately from use of the land surface, such as mineral and other subsurface rights, air rights, or water rights
    • D. Types of ownership: 1. Ownership in severalty/sole ownership; 2. Implications of ownership as tenants in common; 3. Implications of ownership in joint tenancy; 4. Forms of common-interest ownership, such as Timeshares, Condominiums and Co-ops; 5. Property ownership held in a trust or by an estate; 6. Ownership by business entities; 7. Life Estate ownership
  • II. Land use Controls (Sales 5%, Broker 5%) (5%)
    • A. Government rights in land: 1. Government rights to impose property taxes and special assessments; 2. Government rights to acquire land through eminent domain, condemnation and escheat
    • B. Government controls on land use
    • C. Private controls: 1. Deed conditions or restrictions on property use; 2. Subdivision covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) on property use; 3. Condominium and owners’ associations regulations or bylaws on property use
  • III. Valuation (Sales 8%, Broker 8%) (8%)
    • A. Appraisals: 1. Appraisals for valuation of real property; 2. Situations which require appraisal by a licensed or certified appraiser and brokerage-related actions that constitute unauthorized appraisal practice; 3. General steps in appraisal process
    • B. Estimating Value: 1. Economic principles and property characteristics that affect value of real property; 2. Sales or market comparison approach to property valuation and appropriate uses; 3. Cost approach to property valuation and appropriate uses; 4. Income analysis approach to property valuation and appropriate uses
    • C. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): 1. Competitive/Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), BPO or equivalent; 2. Automated Valuation Method (AVM), appraisal valuation and Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
  • IV. Financing (Sales 10%, Broker 9%) (10%)
    • A. Basic Concepts and Terminology: 1. Loan financing (for example, points, LTV, PMI, interest, PITI); 2. General underwriting process (e.g., debt ratios, credit scoring and history); 3. Standard mortgage/deed of trust clauses and conditions; 4. Essential elements of a promissory note
    • B. Types of Loans: 1. Conventional loans; 2. Amortized loans, partially amortized (balloon) loans, interest-only loans; 3. Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans; 4. Government Loans (a. FHA insured loans; b. VA guaranteed loans; c. USDA/Rural Development loan programs); 5. Owner financing (for example, installment or land contract/contract for deed); 6. Reverse-mortgage loans; 7. Home equity loans and lines of credit; 8. Construction loans; 9. Rehab loans; 10. Bridge loans
    • C. Financing and Lending: 1. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), including kickbacks; 2. Truth-in-Lending Act (Regulation Z), including advertising; 3. Requirements and time frames of TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures); 4. Equal Credit Opportunity Act; 5. Lending Process (application through loan closing); 6. Risky loan features, such as prepayment penalties and balloon payments
  • V. Contracts (Sales 19%, Broker 19%) (19%)
    • A. General Contract Law: 1. General principles of contract law; 2. Elements necessary for a contract to be valid; 3. Effect of the Statute of Frauds; 4. Offer and a contract; 5. Enforceability of contracts; 6. Void, voidable and unenforceable contracts; 7. Bilateral and unilateral contracts; 8. Nature and use of option agreements; 9. Notice, delivery, acceptance and execution of contracts; 10. Appropriate use, risks, and advantages of electronic signatures and paperless transactions; 11. Rights and obligations of the parties to a contract; 12. Possible remedies for breach or non-performance of contract; 13. Termination, rescission and cancellation of contracts
    • B. Purchase and Lease Contracts: 1. Addenda and amendments to contracts; 2. Purchase agreements; 3. Contract contingencies and methods for satisfying them; 4. Leases and rental agreements; 5. Lease-purchase agreements; 6. Types of leases
    • C. Proper handling of multiple offers and counteroffers
  • VI. Agency (Sales 13%, Broker 13%) (13%)
    • A. Agency and non-agency relationships: 1. Agency relationships and how they are established; 2. Types of listing contracts; 3. Buyer brokerage/tenant representation contracts; 4. Other brokerage relationships, including transaction brokers and facilitators; 5. Powers of attorney and other assignments of authority; 6. Conditions for termination of agency or brokerage service agreements
    • B. Agent Duties: 1. Fiduciary duties of agents; 2. Agent's duties to customers/non-clients, including honesty and good faith
    • C. Agency Disclosures: 1. Disclosure of agency/representation; 2. Disclosure of possible conflict of interest or self-interest
  • VII. Property Disclosures (Sales 7%, Broker 7%) (7%)
    • A. Property Condition: 1. Seller's property condition disclosure requirements; 2. Property conditions that may warrant inspections or a survey; 3. Red flags that warrant investigation of public or private land use controls
    • B. Environmental and Government Disclosures: 1. Environmental issues requiring disclosure; 2. Federal, state, or local disclosure requirements regarding the property
    • C. Disclosure of material facts and material defects
  • VIII. Property Management (Sales 3%, Broker 5%) — items marked (BROKER ONLY) in this area are not part of the salesperson examination (3%)
    • A. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Procurement and qualification of prospective tenants; 2. Fair housing and ADA compliance specific to property management; 3. How to complete a market analysis to identify factors in setting rents or lease rates (items 4. Property manager responsibility for maintenance, improvements, reporting and risk management; 5. Handling landlord and tenant funds; trust accounts, reports and disbursements; and 6. Provisions of property management contracts are marked BROKER ONLY)
    • B. Landlord and tenant rights and obligations
  • IX. Transfer of Title (Sales 6%, Broker 6%) (6%)
    • A. Types of deeds
    • B. Title Insurance and Searches: 1. Title insurance policies and title searches; 2. Potential title problems and resolutions; 3. Marketable and insurable title
    • C. Closing Process: 1. When transfer of ownership becomes effective; 2. Process and importance of recordation; 3. Settlement procedures (closing) and parties involved; 4. Home and new construction warranties
    • D. Special Processes: 1. Special issues in transferring foreclosed properties; 2. Special issues in short sale transactions; 3. Special issues in probate transactions
  • X. Practice of Real Estate (Sales 12%, Broker 12%) — subsection D. Supervisory Responsibilities is marked (BROKER ONLY) and is not part of the salesperson examination (12%)
    • A. Antidiscrimination: 1. Federal Fair Housing Act general principles and exemptions; 2. Protected classes under Federal Fair Housing Act; 3. Protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation; 4. Prohibited conduct under Federal Fair Housing Act (Redlining, Blockbusting, Steering, Disparate Treatment); 5. Fair housing advertising rules; 6. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) obligations pertaining to accessibility and reasonable accommodations
    • B. Legislation and Regulations: 1. Licensees’ status as employees or independent contractors; 2. Antitrust laws and types of violations, fines and penalties; 3. Do-Not-Call List rule compliance; 4. Proper use of Social Media and Internet communication and advertising
    • C. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Protection of confidential personal information (written, verbal or electronic); 2. Duties when handling funds of others in transactions; 3. Licensee responsibility for due diligence in real estate transactions
  • XI. Real Estate Calculations (Sales 7%, Broker 6%) (7%)
    • A. Calculations for Transactions: 1. Seller’s net proceeds; 2. Buyer funds needed at closing; 3. Real property tax and other prorations; 4. Real property transfer fees; 5. PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance) payments estimate given loan rate and term
    • B. General Concepts: 1. Equity; 2. Rate of return/Capitalization rate; 3. Loan-to-Value ratio; 4. Discount points and loan origination fees
Examination sources

Real Estate Salesperson Examination — Virginia State Portion

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer-administered written examination
Exam questions
40 scored questions (40 points); additional unscored experimental items may be administered
Time limit
45 minutes
Passing score
30 points
Examination outline
  • Licensing (Salesperson: 8 items)
    • 1. Qualifications/Requirements
    • 1.a. Qualifications/Requirements — Broker’s Supervisory Requirements
    • 1.b. Qualifications/Requirements — Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions
    • 1.b.i. Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions — Improper Dealings
    • 1.b.ii. Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions — Improper Brokerage (including commission arrangements)
    • 2. Inspection of Records and Audits
    • 2.a. Inspection of Records and Audits — Record keeping requirements
    • 3. License types and activities requiring license
    • 4. License Maintenance
    • 4.a. License Maintenance — Post-license education
    • 4.b. License Maintenance — Continuing education
    • 4.c. License Maintenance — License transfer
    • 4.d. License Maintenance — Informing Board of changes
  • Escrow Accounts (Salesperson: 2 items)
  • Disclosure Requirements (Salesperson: 10 items)
    • 1. Property Disclosure (including Chesapeake Bay Act)
    • 2. Aircraft Noise/Crash Disclosure
    • 3. Septic Disclosure
    • 4. Megan’s Law
    • 5. Stigmatized Properties
    • 6. HOA/POA disclosures (timing for review/cancellation: what constitutes delivery)
    • 7. Advertising Rules
  • Agency Definitions and Relationships (Salesperson: 12 items)
    • 1. Broker-Salesperson Relationships and Compensation
    • 2. Limited Service
    • 3. Disclosure of Agency
    • 4. Agency duties
    • 4.a. Agency duties — Document handling (delivery, leave copies)
    • 4.b. Agency duties — Standard agent duties
    • 4.c. Agency duties — Duties to client vs. customer
    • 4.d. Agency duties — Misrepresentation, omissions
    • 4.e. Agency duties — Brokerage agreements
    • 5. Designated and Dual Agency
    • 6. Unrepresented parties
  • Virginia Fair Housing Law and Regulations (Salesperson: 4 items)
  • Specific Acts Pertaining to Real Estate Practice (Salesperson: 4 items)
    • 1. Virginia Condominium Act and Regulations (CC&Rs, definitions, unit-owner restrictions)
    • 2. Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
    • 4. Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
    • 5. Virginia Property Owner’s Association Act
Examination sources