get your real estate license
You can get your real estate license and launch your new career in just a few weeks, and the requirements are easier than you might think.
- Complete Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course: Virginia requires that real estate sales agents complete 60 hours of pre-license coursework.
- Pass the Course Final Exam: Virginia requires a proctored final course exam. Final Course Exam | (advancedschoolofrealestate.com)
- Pass the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam: State Licensing Exam | (advancedschoolofrealestate.com)
- Fingerprinting and Background Check: Fingerprinting is mandatory for all Virginia real estate license applicants. You must be electronically fingerprinted at one of the PSI Virginia sites. Once completed, your license application must be received by the Real Estate Board within 45 calendar days.
- Select a Sponsoring Broker: Once you have passed the Virginia Real Estate Licensing Exam, you will have up to 12 months in order to apply for your license. In order to activate your license, you must choose a Real Estate Broker (real estate company) who will sponsor your activation. There is no obligation to choose a particular company. If you choose not to activate, you may apply to the Real Estate Board for an inactive license. If you do not do either of the above within the 12 month period, you will have to re-take the exam.
- Complete the Application: Once you have successfully passed the exam and completed the background check, you must apply to the Board of Real Estate to obtain an official license to practice. Print, complete, sign and mail application (complete information can be found on the DPOR website). The application should be submitted within one year of passing the test, but sooner is better as your background check/finger printing is only valid for 45 days.
A real estate career can be profitable and fulfilling. Obtaining a real estate license offers several opportunities to those wishing a career in the real estate field. Some examples include:
Real Estate Sales Associate
A career in real estate sales provides flexibility and freedom. Income directly reflects your efforts, with no income ceiling. A career in real estate can be an extremely lucrative for those people who are willing to take the time to learn how to succeed. Successful people in real estate are goal-oriented, self-motivated, ambitious and people-oriented. The rewards of a real estate career are a potential for high earnings, freedom to set your own hours, satisfaction in helping people, the intellectual challenge and the satisfaction from those accomplishments.
Working in real estate allows for independence and choices of environment in which to work, such as affiliation with a large or small firm as a salesperson. Real estate agents almost always work as independent contractors for the real estate broker who holds their real estate license, and they also enjoy high levels of creative freedom to pursue what they think will work for them in their real estate career. With more experience, education and upon passing of an additional exam, becoming a real estate broker is the next step. Brokers can own their own businesses and employ other salespeople.
Benefits:
- Business Growth Is Up To You
- Good Client Service Can Yield Future Rewards
- Your Time Is Your Time, So Enjoy!
- Your Business Can Grow As Much As You Want
- There’s No Cap On Earnings
- The Real Estate Market Never Dies
- You’re Your Own Boss
GOOD NEWS: Brokers are hiring! We recommend speaking to several companies to find the best fit for your needs (small company vs. large company, training provided, part time vs. full time requirement, desired commission split, etc.)
Property and Real Estate Managers
Property and real estate managers are required in some states to have real estate licenses, especially when real estate managers buy and sell property to manage or maintain. These managers oversee the operation of commercial or residential properties that produce income. These managers typically handle financial operations of the property, such as collecting rents, mortgages and taxes. They also make payments of taxes, insurance premiums, payroll and maintenance bills. Property or real estate managers may make reports to property owners, advertise open properties, negotiate contracts for services such as landscaping and janitorial work and check to ensure that properties are legally occupied and meeting all necessary county, city, state and national codes.
Community Association Managers
Community association managers do work similar to onsite property managers. In some states, they are required to hold real estate licenses. They collect monthly or quarterly assessments, negotiate with contractors, solve complaints and prepare financial statements and budgets. They typically manage the daily affairs of a community location, meet with an elected board of directors, resolve legal disputes with owners, and maintain property.
Licensed Assistants
If you get your license but still want to ease into the business, a licensed real estate assistant position might be a perfect fit for you. Having a license allows you to assist an agent in a greater capacity than an unlicensed assistant as you can show properties, write advertising copy, explain contracts, and help out with other tasks that an agent would perform. The agent or broker can be relieved of more tasks this way.
Every applicant to the Real Estate Board for an individual salesperson’s or broker’s license shall have the following qualifications:
1. The applicant shall have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing, and be competent to transact the business of a real estate broker or a real estate salesperson in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.
2. The applicant shall meet the current educational requirements by achieving a passing grade in all required courses of § 54.1-2105 of the Code of Virginia prior to the time the applicant sits for the licensing examination and applies for licensure.
3. The applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed real estate broker or salesperson in every jurisdiction where licensed and the applicant shall not have had a license as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson which was suspended, revoked or surrendered in connection with a disciplinary action or which has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for licensure in Virginia. The applicant shall be in compliance with all the terms of all board orders, including but not limited to paying imposed monetary penalties and costs, plus any accrued interest and other fees, and completing imposed education.
4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall submit to fingerprinting and shall disclose the following information:
a. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution or physical injury within five years of the date of the application; and
b. All felony convictions during his lifetime.
Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
5. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.
6. The applicant shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
7. The applicant, within 12 months prior to submitting a complete application for a license, shall have passed a written examination provided by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board.
8. The applicant shall follow all procedures established with regard to conduct at the examination. Failure to comply with all procedures established with regard to conduct at the examination may be grounds for denial of application.
9. Applicants for licensure who do not meet the requirements set forth in subdivisions 3 and 4 of this section may be approved for licensure following consideration by the board.
Please be sure you understand the requirements before taking the pre-license education and licensing examination. If you have any questions, please contact the VA Real Estate Board at (804) 367-8526 or visit their website at Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation.
In order to receive the required pre-approval to sit for the exam, Advanced School of Real Estate must provide a digital photograph, your Social Security or Virginia driver’s license number and confirmation of course completion to PSI Exams.
Photo Requirements:
The color photo size must be 2” x 2”, taken within the last six months.
Sized so the head is approximately one inch from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Taken on front of a plain white background.
Be a full-face view, facing the camera with a neutral facial expression.
