“Real estate” is the name given to tangible properties of lands, buildings, houses with their natural resources (water, minerals, crops, etc.). In that order, a real estate agent is someone specialized in helping people to buy or sell their lands and housing in general.
Currently, the real estate profession is rising as one of the most requested jobs around the world, due to the investment influx in the purchase and sale of properties, whether commercial or residential.
However, if you want to become an agent, you must obtain a license to work legally. If you live in Virginia, in this article, we will show you how to get it.
Requirements for a real estate license in Virginia
The process to obtain your license involves several requirements like any other application, otherwise you will not be qualified to exercise the occupation.
Personal requirements
- You have to be at least 18 years old.
- U.S citizenship is needed, or having a foreign legal status.
- And you must have at least a high school degree or its equivalent.
Pre-License Courses
You need to register and complete 60 clock-hours of the Real Estate courses approved by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). You do not need to have experience in the area to apply.
There are plenty of options; you can choose the course that fits your needs; what counts is that you approve it. Here is an updated list of the main courses.
Final course exam
Once you have completed the course, you must present and pass the final exam with a minimum passing score of 75%.
Also, you will have to make an appointment with a supervisor to take the test in front of him.
State and national exams
PSI Corporate is in charge of the Virginia real estate license exam; to take it, follow these steps:
- Create an account on their official website: https://candidate.psiexams.com/index.jsp.
- After you have done it, return to the main page and click on “Government/State licensing agencies.
- Select Virginia as your jurisdiction.
- Click on “VA REAL ESTATE.”
- And finally, select “VA Salesperson.”
The exam consists of answering questions about the real estate in Virginia and the country. You have 150 minutes to complete the exam, divided in this way:
- 45 minutes for 40 state questions.
- 105 minutes for 80 national questions.
These are the cities where you can present the exam: Charlottesville, Roanoke, Richmond, Vienna, and Virginia Beach. Besides, you will have to pay a fee of $60.00.
If you already have a Real Estate license (not expired) from another state, you will only need to take the section about Virginia questions.
For your convenience, click here to read an information bulleting that might help you with the process.
Fingerprints requirement
The next step is to have your fingerprints taken at a PSI testing office in Virginia, even if you do not live there. In case you are unable to move to Virginia, you should contact the PSI Board office calling (804) 367-8552.
Once you have completed this, submit your application to the Real Estate Board within 45 days (read the next step).
File the application form
This is the last step; download the form, complete the information required, and submit it. Note that if your fingerprints are older than 45 days, you will have to do the process again.
On the other hand, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recommend you to call the PSI offices before you apply. Even though they reopened on May 4, 2020, it is better for you if you contact them. Call this number (804) 367-8526 for the Licensing section and (804) 367-2406 for the Education Section.