How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Virginia

The real estate industry in Virginia offers you a flexible career path with unlimited growth potential. You can choose to go all in as a full-time real estate agent or go for it as a part-time real estate agent as you pursue other opportunities.⁶

However, before you become a real estate agent in Virginia, you need to understand the state property laws and get the required license. Does the licensing process seem complex to you? Not to worry because this complete guide details the step-by-step process to qualify for a real estate license in Virginia, getting into commercial real estate, and including how to invest in real estate with little money.

How Hard Is It To Get a Real Estate License? Getting Your Real Estate License in Virginia

The Real Estate Board in Virginia grants licenses to all the candidates who meet the basic requirements as indicated in the law.^1,2

Some of the qualifications to be a real estate agent include:

• A prescribed age that you must reach before you qualify to apply for the real estate license
• Foundational education up to high school level or its equivalent
• Complete a real estate course as prescribed by the state
• Pay all the necessary fees as indicated in the pre-licensing fee schedule
• Submit your fingerprints for a core background check

If you meet all the above requirements, the Real Estate Board will require you to complete an exam based on the obligatory course before you proceed with the license application.

Prescribed Age and Fundamental Learning Criteria

The job of a real estate agent is important because it involves negotiating contracts and finalizing property sales while following state laws on property. Hence, the Real Estate Board is keen on licensing people who understand the market, have effective sale tactics, and are familiar with the regulations for buying and selling properties.

With that in mind, the board accepts applications from candidates aged 18 years and above. You must also have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent qualification.

Although a bachelor’s degree is not a qualifying factor, holding one can give you an added advantage, thus increasing your chances of approval.

Obligatory Course Hours for Real Estate Licensing

Anyone in Virginia applying for a real estate agent license must complete a 60-hour course and achieve a 75% pass mark in the state and national exam portions.³

The course approved for real estate agents explains the pre-licensing principles and practices of real estate in Virginia. Since the course is quite extensive, you can choose to do it in a real estate school online at a self-paced speed and learn at your own pace.⁴

On the other hand, you can choose to attend the classes at a designated physical location and learn from there. You only need to identify a school near you that offers classroom lessons and register to attend.

Fee Schedule for Pre-Licensing Real Estate Education

The cost of Virginia’s real estate pre-licensing education depends on the school you choose for the coursework and whether you are doing the course online or in a classroom. So, how much are real estate classes?

Well, online courses come in packages that cost as low as $150, including an exam preparation bundle. Conversely, the same course may cost up to $500 if done in a classroom at state-approved schools.

Other costs related to the pre-licensing real estate education in Virginia include the following.

1. Exam fee for every attempt: $60
2. Fingerprint-based background check every time you attempt the exam: $52
3. License application fee: $170

These fees are non-refundable, and you must pay again if you need to retake the exam. In Virginia, a fingerprint-based background check is done every time you need to retake the exam, so you have to pay for it, too.

Core Background Check for Real Estate Licensing (Fingerprinting Facility Details)

The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation introduced the Fieldprint fingerprinting service, where real estate license applicants can go and submit their fingerprints. The Fieldprint fingerprinting service is straightforward as it is done through Livescan.⁵

To get the service at a location near you, visit the Fieldprint website and scan for all the locations where Fieldprint has an office. Once you identify one close to you, book an appointment for the service through the system.

When you visit the fingerprinting site near you, an attendant will electronically scan your fingerprints and submit them immediately to the state. This convenient electronic method relieves you of the hassle of mailing the fingerprint cards to the state for a real estate agent background check.

Fieldprint has an extensive network of fingerprint collection sites all over Virginia. So, you can always find a convenient place near you where you can have your fingerprints scanned and submitted to the state.

So, how far back does a real estate background check go? Real estate background checks go as far as seven years of criminal record. Hence, you can wait for seven years to expire before applying for a real estate agent license so that you don’t have to worry about getting a real estate license disqualification.