Glenn Setzer, Mortgage News Daily

This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Virginia or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Virginia. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more.

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The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) regulates over 30 occupations and professions through 19 different boards. The Real Estate Board was established in 1924 and currently licenses over 55,000 individuals and businesses within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The main office of the Real Estate Board is in Richmond.

The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Virginia include being at least 18 years of age and having successfully completed 60 hours of approved real estate courses, plus passing the State and National portions of the salesperson examination.

The requirements for a real estate broker license in Virginia include being at least 18 years of age and having successfully completed 180 classroom hours of approved real estate broker pre-licensing courses. The broker pre-licensing courses are either broker-specific or broker-related. The maximum credit allowed for a single broker-specific course is 60 hours, and the maximum credit allowed for a single broker-related course is 45 hours. The continuing education courses are not acceptable for pre-licensing credit, nor are courses taken for licensure as a salesperson. The applicant for the broker license needs to provide proof of having been actively engaged as a salesperson for 36 of the 48 preceding months.

All real estate agent applicants need to apply for their license within one year of passing the examinations, or re-examination will be required.

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The application fee for a Virginia real estate broker is $210.00, and for a real estate salesperson the application fee is $170.00.

The renewal fee for a broker is $90.00 and for a salesperson is $65.00. If the license is not renewed on time and needs to be reinstated, the reinstatement fee for a broker license is $120.00 and for a salesperson license is $100.00. All application fees are non-refundable, and inactive licensees still need to renew their license.

All reciprocity applicants are required to take the Virginia state portion of the real estate exams before they can practice real estate in Virginia. The examination is handled by the PSI Examination Service. Salesperson applicants need to provide proof that they have been actively engaged for at least 40 hours per week as a real estate licensee during 12 of the preceding 36 months, or provide proof of having successfully completed at least 60 hours of approved real estate courses. Real estate broker applicants need to provide proof that they have been actively engaged for at least 40 hours per week as a real estate licensee during 36 of the preceding 48 months.

You can locate Virginia real estate forms online.

Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Organizations like the Virginia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) assist many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the world's largest professional association, are excellent resources for professional enrichment and real estate education.