Getting A License


Salesperson’s License Requirements

To obtain a real estate salesperson license you must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age.

  • Must have a High School Diploma or Equivalent, effective July 1, 2006

  • If licensed in another state, be in good standing in any state where licensed.

  • Have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing and 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**(listed below) 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.

**Current Virginia Education License Requirements

The Virginia Real Estate Board currently requires anyone wishing to obtain a real estate license to complete, with a passing grade of a State approved 60 hour course called "The Principles of Real Estate." This course is to cover the principles and practices of real estate as well as Virginia real estate law.

The Real Estate School offers the Principles of Real Estate course as a classroom course, online and by CD-rom. Our classroom course meets twice a week for 6 weeks from 6-9:30 p.m.

To register for a class, please visit our Course Calendar.

Broker Licensing

To obtain a Virginia broker’s license, a licensed salesperson must successfully complete 180 hours of broker education approved by the Real Estate Board.

Required Course: Brokerage Management

Broker Courses: Real Estate Law, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Finance

To obtain a Virginia brokers license you must:
  • Have been actively engaged as a real estate salesperson for 36 of the 48 months immediately preceding the day of license application.

  • Have successfully completed 180 hours of approved classroom, online or home study* courses. These courses can be taken before you have completed 36 months of full time real estate practice as a salesperson. The Real Estate School offers all of the courses necessary to satisfy the educational requirements for a Virginia broker’s license.

  • Pass the Broker’s examination with a 75% on EACH section (National and State).

Related Courses: GRI, Property Management, Business Law, Real Estate Math or other Board approved courses. (Please call the Real Estate Board at (804) 367-8526 for a complete list)

Students must have worked as an active licensed real estate salesperson for 36 of the 48 months prior to applying for a Virginia’s Broker’s License. “Active” is defined as working an average of at least 40 hours per week.

Educational Requirements

Broker candidates must successfully complete 180 hours of education (four 45 hour semester courses) approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board.

Brokerage Management is a required course. You may choose your other three courses from among the following:
  • Real Estate Law

  • Real Estate Appraisal

  • Real Estate Finance

  • Real Estate Related Course - Students may substitute ONE Related Course for RE Law, Appraisal or Finance. Related Course Options include the GRI designation, Property Management, Business Law, Real Estate Math or other Board approved courses.


Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. For information on the next Broker course, please see our Course Calendar.

For questions regarding registering for classes, please call our Education Department at (804) 422-5016.

If you have further questions, you may contact the Virginia Real Estate Board at (804)367-8526.

For a complete list of upcoming Broker Courses at RAR, please see our Course Catalog.
Need help understanding what PL or CE is? Click here for a list of acronyms.