How to Become a Property Manager in Virginia

Virginia’s steady population growth and strong rental demand — from Northern Virginia and Richmond to Virginia Beach — make property management a rewarding career path. This guide explains , when you legally need a real estate license, the exact course that gets you licensed, what you can earn, and how to run your own firm.

Why Become a Property Manager in Virginia?

Property management offers stable, recurring income and a low barrier to entry. In 2026, the average property manager in Virginia earns about $57,834 per year, according to ZipRecruiter, with most earning between $43,600 and $67,400 and senior managers reaching around $90,000. Earnings rise with experience, certifications, and the number of units you manage.

The Virginia Rental Market: A Strong Place to Manage Property

Virginia is one of the most reliable rental markets on the East Coast, and that stability is what makes property management a dependable career here. Several factors keep demand for professional property managers high across the Commonwealth:

• Northern Virginia’s economy. Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Loudoun County anchor one of the country’s strongest job markets — federal government, defense contractors, and a booming technology and data-center sector — with high rents and a constant stream of relocating professionals who rent before they buy.
• A large military and government population. Installations such as Naval Station Norfolk (the world’s largest naval base), the Pentagon, and bases across Hampton Roads create steady tenant turnover and a reliable need for managed rental housing.
• Growing metros. Richmond and the Hampton Roads region (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake) continue to add residents and jobs, expanding the pool of rental properties that owners need help managing.
• University towns. Charlottesville (UVA), Blacksburg (Virginia Tech), Harrisonburg, and Williamsburg drive year-round demand for student and near-campus rentals.
• Diverse property types. From single-family rentals and suburban townhomes to apartment communities, military housing, and coastal vacation rentals, Virginia property managers can specialize in the niche that suits them.

For owners juggling high-value properties, out-of-state landlords, and Virginia’s specific landlord-tenant rules, professional property management is in real demand — so a licensed property manager who knows the local market can build a steady, growing book of business.

Property Management Laws in Virginia

In Virginia, managing real estate for others for compensation is a licensed activity. The definition of a real estate broker in Va. Code § 54.1-2100 covers anyone who, for compensation, leases or rents (or offers to lease or rent) real estate for others — exactly what a third-party property manager does.

The exemptions are in Va. Code § 54.1-2103. You do not need a license if you are:

• An owner managing your own property (and the owner’s regular employees), in the ordinary course of managing that property (§ 54.1-2103(A)(1));
• An on-premises residential manager employed by a licensed broker — you may show units, provide factual information, accept applications, sign broker-approved leases, and accept deposits and rent, as long as you do not negotiate lease terms (§ 54.1-2103(C)).

Virginia also requires licensees who manage property to operate under a written property management agreement (Va. Code § 54.1-2135).

How to Become a Property Manager in Virginia

If you will manage property for other owners, here are the steps to get licensed:

1. Meet the eligibility requirements. Be at least 18 and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Complete the 60-hour pre-license course. Virginia requires a 60-hour Principles of Real Estate salesperson course approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board (Va. Code § 54.1-2105).
3. Pass the Virginia licensing exam (administered by PSI).
4. Activate your license under a sponsoring broker and register with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

Property Management Certifications in Virginia

Virginia has no separate property-manager license — management is performed under the real estate license. Voluntary certifications can still boost credibility and pay:

• CPM (Certified Property Manager) – IREM.
• CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) – the National Apartment Association.
• RMP / MPM – the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM).

How to Start a Property Management Company in Virginia

To run a property management company that manages property for other owners in Virginia, you need a real estate broker license. A salesperson can perform management activities only while working under a broker; to own the firm, sign management agreements, and hold client funds in escrow, you must be a licensed broker. The usual path is to get your salesperson license, gain experience, then complete the broker qualifying education and exam.

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