Real Estate Agent in Virginia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$61,790

trending_up +9.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

4,950

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Stable

+3.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$230

Licensing fees

schedule

1.5 weeks - 4 months

Time to complete

route How to become a real estate agent in Virginia

To become a Real Estate Agent in Virginia, you must obtain a license from the Virginia Real Estate Board. Key steps include completing a 60-hour 'Principles of Real Estate' pre-licensing course, passing the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam administered by PSI, and submitting a license application with a sponsoring broker. New salespersons are also required to complete a 30-hour post-license course within their first year. Virginia offers full reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet specific requirements, including passing the Virginia state portion of the exam and providing proof of equivalent education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,860

25th percentile $40,200

50th (median) $61,790

75th percentile $81,230

90th (experienced) $106,480

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	Virginia Real Estate Board
State license	Required
Education	60-hour 'Principles of Real Estate' course
Exam	Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI) ($60)
Application fee	$170
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A 30-hour post-license course is required within the first year of licensure. A background check and fingerprinting are also required. Applicants must have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing, and not have been found guilty of violating fair housing laws or certain criminal convictions.

Source: Virginia Real Estate Board

workspace_premium Virginia license tiers

Virginia offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Salesperson	N/A
Broker	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.1%

Average

Annual openings

36,600

Nationwide per year

Total employment

420,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 0.86/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a real estate agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a real estate agent in Virginia? expand_more

The path to real estate agent licensure in Virginia: complete the required education (60-hour 'Principles of Real Estate' course), pass the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($170 fee).

Does Virginia require real estate agent licensure? expand_more

Yes, Virginia requires a state license to practice as a real estate agent. The licensing body is Virginia Real Estate Board. You must pass the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI).

What do real estate agents earn in Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, the median pay for real estate agents comes to $61,790/year. This exceeds the $56,320 national median by 10%. Wages range from $34,860 (10th percentile) up to $106,480 (90th percentile).

How expensive is real estate agent licensing in Virginia? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($60) and application fee ($170) plus your education and training.

What's the timeline to become a real estate agent in Virginia? expand_more

Most candidates in Virginia complete the process in 1.5 weeks - 4 months, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do real estate agents need in Virginia? expand_more

Virginia requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your real estate agent license.