Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Overview
The Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam is administered by PSI Services on behalf of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Virginia has different passing score requirements for national (70%) and state (75%) portions, and requires post-license education for new licensees.
Passing this exam qualifies you to work as a real estate salesperson in Virginia—a state with over 8.6 million residents and diverse markets including the Northern Virginia/DC metro area, Hampton Roads, and Richmond.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 multiple-choice (80 national + 40 state) |
| Time Limit | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% national, 75% state |
| Exam Fee | $60 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 60 hours required |
| Testing Vendor | PSI Services |
| License Term | 2 years |
Why Get Licensed in Virginia?
- DC metro proximity — Northern Virginia market strength
- Federal employees — Steady buyer pool
- Hampton Roads — Major military market
- Diverse markets — Urban, suburban, rural
- Lower education requirement — Only 60 hours
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. DPOR & Licensing (20%)
Regulatory Authority:
- Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Real Estate Board
- Rule-making powers
- Disciplinary procedures
- License law enforcement
License Requirements:
- 18 years old minimum
- 60 hours pre-license education
- Pass both exam portions
- Background check required
- Sponsoring broker required
Post-License Education:
- 30 hours within first year
- Mandatory for new licensees
- Failure consequences
- Extension procedures
- Different from CE
Continuing Education:
- 24 hours per 2-year cycle
- Includes fair housing requirement
- DPOR-approved courses
- Renewal procedures
- Late renewal penalties
2. Agency Law (25%)
Agency Relationships:
- Standard agent (default)
- Limited service agent
- Dual agent
- Independent contractor
- No brokerage relationship
Virginia Agency Disclosure:
- Required at first substantive contact
- Written acknowledgment
- Disclosure of Brokerage Relationships form
- Timing requirements
- Documentation standards
Fiduciary Duties:
- Loyalty
- Obedience
- Disclosure
- Confidentiality
- Accounting
- Reasonable care
Standard Agent vs. Limited Service:
- Standard agent full duties
- Limited service reduced scope
- Written agreement required
- Minimum duties defined
- Disclosure required
3. Contracts & Disclosures (30%)
Residential Property Disclosure:
- Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act
- Owner disclosure statement
- Exempt properties
- Material defects
- Known conditions
Purchase Contracts:
- Offer and acceptance
- Essential terms
- Contingencies
- Financing provisions
- Closing timeline
Trust Accounts:
- Escrow requirements
- Deposit handling
- Interest-bearing accounts
- Disbursement rules
- Record keeping (3 years)
Required Disclosures:
- Lead-based paint
- Common interest community
- Mold disclosure
- Noise zone disclosure
- Dam break inundation zone
4. Property Law & Fair Housing (25%)
Virginia Fair Housing Law:
- Virginia Fair Housing Act
- Protected classes
- State vs. federal differences
- Enforcement procedures
- Penalties and remedies
Types of Ownership:
- Fee simple
- Life estates
- Tenancy in common
- Joint tenancy
- Tenancy by the entirety
Property Taxes:
- Local assessment
- Tax rates (per $100)
- Exemptions available
- Tax liens
- Land use assessment
Virginia-Specific Topics:
- Condominium Act
- Property Owners Association Act
- Wet settlement requirements
- Mechanic's liens
- Ground rent properties
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | DPOR regulations and licensing | 12-15 |
| Week 2-3 | Agency law and disclosure | 15-18 |
| Week 3-4 | Contracts and property disclosure | 18-22 |
| Week 4-5 | Property law and fair housing | 12-15 |
| Week 5 | Practice exams and review | 10-12 |
Total recommended study time: 60-80 hours (plus 60-hour pre-licensing)
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Virginia Real Estate exam.
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Virginia-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master Different Passing Scores
Virginia has different requirements:
- National portion: 70% (56/80)
- State portion: 75% (30/40)
- Must pass both portions
- State portion is harder
- Focus extra study on state content
2. Know Post-License Requirements
New licensees must complete additional education:
- 30 hours within first year
- Mandatory—not optional
- Separate from continuing education
- Failure suspends license
- Plan ahead
3. Understand Standard vs. Limited Service
Virginia's unique agency categories:
- Standard agent provides full service
- Limited service agent reduced duties
- Written agreement required for limited
- Know the minimum duties
- Disclosure requirements differ
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Virginia Requirement |
|---|---|
| National passing | 70% (56/80) |
| State passing | 75% (30/40) |
| Pre-licensing | 60 hours |
| Post-license | 30 hours (first year) |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| License term | 2 years |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring different passing scores — State is 75%, national is 70%
- Missing post-license deadline — 30 hours in first year mandatory
- Confusing agency types — Standard vs. limited service
- Failing state portion — Focus extra study here
- Skipping Virginia-specific disclosures — Dam zones, mold, etc.
- Not pacing properly — 4 hours for 120 questions
After Passing Your Exam
- Submit license application to DPOR
- Pay application fee (varies)
- Obtain sponsoring broker before activation
- Complete 30-hour post-license in first year
- Complete 24 hours CE every 2 years
- Begin your real estate career in Virginia
2026 Virginia Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Updated DPOR regulations
- Disclosure form revisions
- Digital transaction standards
- Fair housing training updates
- Post-license education changes
Start Your Virginia Real Estate Career Today
The Virginia Real Estate Salesperson license opens doors to diverse markets across the Commonwealth. With the Northern Virginia/DC metro area, Hampton Roads military market, and Richmond, Virginia offers excellent opportunities. With proper preparation, you can pass both exam sections on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- Agency relationship guide
- Post-license requirement details
- AI-powered study assistance
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