How to Pass the Virginia Real Estate Exam

To pass the Virginia real estate salesperson exam, you'll need to complete 60 hours of Virginia Real Estate Board (REB) approved pre-license education, then pass both portions of the PSI-administered exam: 70% or higher on the 80-question national section and 75% or higher on the 40-question state section. The two sections are scored separately, so it's possible to pass one and need to retake only the other. Here's what the full process looks like, from meeting the basic requirements to getting your license application ready after you pass.

What Do You Need to Qualify for the Virginia Real Estate Exam?

Before you can register for the exam, you'll need to meet a few basic requirements set by the REB:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Education: You need a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Character: You must demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness, and competence.
• Background check: You'll need to pass a criminal background check as part of the licensing process.

Once you meet those requirements, the next step is completing your Virginia real estate license courseVirginia Real Estate License, a 60-hour Principles of Real Estate class approved by the REB. If you're aiming for a broker's license instead, you'll need to meet all the salesperson requirements plus additional education and experience. You can read more about that path in our guide to becoming a real estate broker in VirginiaVirginia How Do You Become A Real Estate Broker In Virginia Career Center.

How Do You Register for the Virginia Real Estate Exam?

Once you finish your pre-license course and pass the final course exam, your education provider will submit your completion record to PSI, the third-party vendor that administers Virginia's licensing exam. From there, PSI will email you instructions to create an account and schedule your exam through the PSI candidate portalVare Test Takers.psiexams.com.

Registration is available online, by mail, phone, or fax, though online is fastest. The exam fee is $60 and covers one attempt. You'll pick your testing center and appointment time during registration. Virginia has PSI testing centers in Vienna, Alexandria, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg, along with nearby out-of-state locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Walk-ins aren't accepted, so you'll need a scheduled appointment.

If you're already licensed in another state and want to practice in Virginia, the REB has specific reciprocity provisions rather than a simple exam substitution, so it's worth reviewing the current requirements directly on the Virginia Real Estate Board's websiteReal Estate Boards before you register.

What's on the Virginia Real Estate Exam?

The salesperson exam has 120 scored multiple-choice questions split into two timed sections:

• National portion: 80 questions, 105 minutes, 70% passing score (56 correct)
• State portion: 40 questions, 45 minutes, 75% passing score (30 correct)

You may also see 5 to 10 unscored questions mixed in for future test development. They won't affect your score, so don't let an unfamiliar question throw you off. The national section covers core real estate principles, practices, and math, while the state section focuses on Virginia-specific statutes and regulations. Our breakdown of what's covered in the pre-license courseVirginia What Covered Virginia Real Estate Pre Licensing Course Career Center can help you map your studying to what's actually tested.

Study Tips That Actually Help

• Study in shorter, frequent sessions rather than cramming. An hour or less at a time tends to lead to better retention.
• Practice real estate math daily. Calculations show up on both portions and are easy points once the formulas click.
• Take practice exams under timed conditions so the real thing feels familiar.
• Explain concepts out loud to someone else, or even to yourself. Teaching a concept is one of the fastest ways to find gaps in your understanding.

Should You Use Extra Exam Prep?

Your 60-hour pre-license course covers everything tested on the exam, but many students find that a dedicated prep tool helps the material stick before test day. AceableAgent's Virginia real estate exam prepVirginia Real Estate Exam Prep gives you free practice questions modeled on the real test, broken down by the same topics PSI covers on both the national and state portions, so you can see exactly where you're strong and where you need another pass.

For more structured, guided studying, PrepAgentReal Estate Exam Prep is AceableAgent's exam prep platform. It pairs live weekly webinars with expert instructors, short video lessons, and unlimited practice exams covering both the national and Virginia-specific content. It's built to work alongside your pre-license course, whether you want a quick review the week before your exam or a few months of steady practice.

What Should You Expect on Exam Day?

Arrive at least 30 minutes early with two forms of valid ID. Security is strict: you can't bring phones, cameras, recording devices, outside paper, programmable calculators with alpha keys, visitors, or weapons into the testing room. The test administrator will provide scratch paper for notes and calculations. Breaks are allowed, but the clock keeps running, so plan your time accordingly.

You'll get your results immediately on screen if you take the computer-based exam, along with a printed score report. If you pass, you're done with testing. If you don't pass one or both sections, you can register to retake the failed portion as soon as the next day.

What Happens After You Pass?

After passing, you'll need to complete a fingerprint-based background check, which can typically be done at a PSI testing site or through an approved vendor. Fingerprinting needs to happen within 45 days of applying for your license, and background check processing generally takes four to six weeks, so it's worth scheduling promptly.

You'll also need a sponsoring broker before your license can go active. Our guide on finding a real estate broker in VirginiaVirginia Finding A Real Estate Broker In Virginia Career Center walks through what to look for. Once you have a broker lined up, you'll submit your license application to the REB. For a full picture of how the timeline fits together, check out how long it takes to get a Virginia real estate licenseVirginia How Long Get Virginia Real Estate License Career Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can I retake the Virginia real estate exam?

There's no limit on retakes, but you'll need to pay the $60 exam fee each time. If you pass one section and fail the other, you only need to retake the section you failed.

How long is my exam score valid?

Your completed license application generally needs to be submitted within one year of your original exam date, so don't let too much time pass between testing and applying.

Do I need to renew my license after I'm approved?

Yes. Virginia real estate licenses run on a two-year renewal cycle with continuing education requirements. Our guide to keeping your Virginia real estate license currentHow Keep Your Virginia Real Estate License Current Blog covers what's required.

What regulatory body oversees Virginia real estate licensing?

The Virginia Real Estate Board (REB), part of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), issues licenses, approves education providers, and enforces standards of conduct. You can read more in our explainer on what the Virginia DPOR isWhat Virginia Dpor Blog.

You've Got This

The Virginia real estate exam rewards steady preparation more than last-minute cramming. Between a solid pre-license course, focused practice on the material that's actually tested, and knowing what to expect on exam day, you're setting yourself up to walk in ready. Our online real estate license course is so effective that we guarantee if you don't pass the licensing exam after three attempts, we will refund your money. Additional terms and conditions do apply.

Let's get you licensed.