License Requirements

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To obtain a Virginia real estate salesperson’s license you must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma or the equivalent
  • If licensed in another state, be in good standing in any state where licensed
  • Have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing
  • Be competent to transact real estate business in such a manner as to safeguard the public interest
  • Not have been found guilty of violating the fair housing laws of any jurisdiction
  • Meet the current educational requirements by achieving a passing grade in all required courses before sitting for the licensing exam
  • Pass a written license examination approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board
  • Not have had a real estate license revoked or suspended in any state
  • Not have been convicted anywhere for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, physical injury or any felony

The Virginia Real Estate Board currently requires anyone wishing to obtain a real estate license to complete a state-approved sixty (60) hour course called The Principles of Real Estate with a passing grade. This course covers the principles and practices of real estate as well as Virginia real estate law.

New salespersons may complete the nine courses (30 hours) here at The Richmond Association of REALTORS®. We provide all the credits needed within the first year of licensure. The PLE curriculum consists of nine courses approved for a specific number of hours as follows:
  • 6 Hours Contract Writing
  • 2 Hours Current Industry Trends
  • 3 Hours Escrow Requirements
  • 3 Hours Ethics/Standards of Conduct
  • 2 Hours Fair Housing
  • 6 Hours Real Estate Law
  • 2 Hours Finance
  • 3 Hours Risk Management
  • 3 Hours VA Agency Law
Click here for FAQs about Post-License Education
Click here to view PLE classes offered by RAR
As a salesperson, you must complete sixteen (16) hours of Continuing Education (CE) credit to renew your license every two years. Eight (8) of the sixteen (16) hours must be in these mandatory topics:
  • Ethics and Standards of Conduct (3 Hours Minimum)
  • Fair Housing (2 Hours Minimum)
  • Legal Updates (1 Hour Minimum)
  • Real Estate Agency (1 Hour Minimum)
  • Real Estate Contracts (1 Hour Minimum)
  • Real Estate Related Subjects (8 Hours Minimum) – the remaining 8 hours may be any topic of interest to you that carries Continuing Education (CE) credit
Register for an upcoming Continuing Education Course
All licensees holding a broker’s license of any type must complete twenty four (24) hours of Broker Continuing Education every two years. The 24 hours are broken down as follows:
  • Broker Management (6 Hours Minimum)
  • Broker Supervision (2 Hours Minimum)
  • Ethics and Standards of Conduct (3 Hours Minimum)
  • Fair Housing (2 Hours Minimum)
  • Legal Updates (1 Hour Minimum)
  • Real Estate Agency (1 Hour Minimum)
  • Real Estate Contracts (1 Hour Minimum)
  • Real Estate Related Subjects (8 Hours Minimum) – these hours may be any topic of interest to you that carries Continuing Education (CE) credit
Register for Broker Continuing Education Courses
To obtain a Virginia Real Estate Broker license you must:
  • Be actively engaged as a real estate licensee for at least 40 hours per week during the 36 of the 48 months immediately preceding licensure application
  • Have a high school diploma or the equivalent
  • If licensed in another state, be in good standing in any state where licensed
  • Have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing
  • Be competent to transact real estate business in such a manner as to safeguard the public interest
  • Not have been found guilty of violating the fair housing laws of any jurisdiction
  • Meet the current educational requirements by achieving a passing grade in all required courses before sitting for the licensing exam
  • Pass a written license examination approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board
  • Not have had a real estate license revoked or suspended in any state
  • Not have been convicted anywhere for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, physical injury or any felony

The Virginia Real Estate Board currently requires anyone wishing to obtain a real estate broker license to successfully complete a total of 180 hours of board-approved courses inclusive of Real Estate Brokerage, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Finance and Real Estate Law.