Real Estate

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A licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia must:

• Have a good reputation for honesty and truthfulness
• Pass 60 hours of board-approved pre-license Principles of Real Estate classes
• Be fingerprinted and disclose any misdemeanors or felonies
•  Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold a high school diploma
• Pass the National and State portions of the Licensing Examination

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) oversees licensing requirements for real estate salespersons and brokers.

http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Real-Estate/Pre-License/#pre-license1

The requirements for real estate salespersons as outlined in the Virginia Code:

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency135/chapter20/section30/ 

  List of approved courses and class providers: Pre-License Courses (PDF)

ONCE YOU’VE MET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST SELECT A BROKERAGE TO BECOME AFFILIATED WITH. 

Generally, all real estate salespersons are self-employed independent contractors rather than employees of the Brokerage. As such, you are running your own business and are responsible for all the costs and duties associated therewith.

Yearly costs vary but include: MLS subscription fee, DPOR fee, advertising costs, marketing costs, processing fees, supply fees, continuing education, etc.

Real estate brokers and sales agents show properties to prospective buyers.

Real estate brokers held about 96,200 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of real estate brokers were as follows:

• Self-employed workers: 57%
• Real estate rental and leasing: 39%

Real estate sales agents held about 369,200 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of real estate sales agents were as follows:

• Self-employed workers: 56%
• Real estate rental and leasing: 35%
• Construction: 3%

Workplace size for real estate brokers and sales agents can range from a one-person business to a large firm with numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate companies. Under this arrangement, the broker pays a fee to be affiliated with a widely known real estate organization.

Some real estate brokers and sales agents work in a typical office environment, while others work out of their homes. In both cases, real estate workers spend much of their time away from their desks, showing properties to customers, traveling to see properties for sale, and meeting with prospective clients.

Many real estate brokers and sales agents work more than 40 hours per week. They often work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules. Many brokers and sales agents spend a significant amount of time networking and attending community events to meet potential clients. Although they frequently work irregular hours, many can set their own schedules.

Some brokers and sales agents work part time and may combine their real estate activities with other careers.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm (visited June 15, 2020).

Last Modified Date: Friday, April 10, 2020