How to Become a Realtor in Virginia (2026)

‹ Part of our national guide: How to Become a Realtor

Last updated: July 2026

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent in Virginia

All Virginia Realtors are licensed real estate agents, but not all agents are Realtors. A Virginia real estate agent (salesperson) is licensed by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to help people buy, sell, and lease property. A Realtor® is a DPOR-licensed agent who has also joined the National Association of Realtors through a local board and Virginia Realtors, and pledged to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics. “Realtor” is a registered trademark reserved for NAR members — not a generic word for any Virginia agent.

How to Become a Realtor in Virginia: 5 Steps

1. Complete 60 hours of DPOR pre-license education. The Virginia salesperson pre-license course — 100% online and self-paced with MLS Campus.
2. Apply and complete your background check. Submit fingerprints and your application so DPOR can verify your background.
3. Pass the Virginia real estate exam. Sit and pass the national and state portions of the Virginia salesperson exam.
4. Activate your license with a sponsoring broker. A new Virginia license must be held by an active supervising broker before you can practice.
5. Join a local Realtor association. Joining a local board enrolls you in Virginia Realtors and NAR, and lets you use the Realtor® title after agreeing to the Code of Ethics.

Virginia Real Estate License Requirements

To earn your Virginia salesperson license you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete the 60 hours of DPOR-approved pre-license education, pass the state exam, and clear a background check. Your first renewal requires 30 hours of Post-License Education (PLE) within one year of licensing — you can complete that with our Virginia post-license course. For the full step-by-step, see how to get your Virginia real estate license.

Joining Virginia Realtors & Your Local Association

Realtor membership in Virginia is three-tiered. When you join a local Realtor association — such as the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR), or boards serving Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Charlottesville — you automatically become a member of Virginia Realtors (the statewide association) and the National Association of Realtors. One application, three levels of membership, and access to the tools and MLS in your market.

Benefits of Becoming a Virginia Realtor

Beyond the title, Realtor membership comes with practical advantages Virginia agents rely on every day:

• MLS access in your local market — the database that powers Virginia real estate sales
• The Realtor® brand and the consumer trust it carries
• The NAR Code of Ethics — a standard that goes beyond DPOR law
• Advocacy for Virginia property rights (Virginia Realtors is the largest trade association in the Commonwealth)
• Education, designations, and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS and more)
• Market data, research, member discounts, and a statewide referral network

Do Virginia Realtors Earn More?

According to NAR’s 2025 Member Profile, the median gross income of a Realtor was $58,100 — and Realtors with 16 or more years of experience earned a median of $78,900, while brand-new agents earned far less as they build their business. Industry data also suggests Realtors typically out-earn non-member agents, often by 15–25%, largely because membership brings MLS access, referral networks, and repeat business that drive more closed deals.

Your income depends most on your experience, effort, and market — not the Realtor title itself — but the tools that come with membership are exactly what help agents close more. For Virginia numbers, see how much Virginia real estate agents earn and real estate agent salaries by state.

The Training & Education Behind a Virginia Realtor

Becoming a Realtor in Virginia is a path of ongoing training — and it starts with your license:

• Pre-license education (60 hours): completed 100% online with our Virginia pre-license course.
• First-renewal training (30-hour PLE): required within your first year — our Virginia post-license course keeps your license active.
• Continuing education (16 hours every 2 years): including required topics — see our Virginia CE.
• Realtor-only education: once you are a member, Virginia Realtors and NAR offer designations and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS, SRS) plus Code of Ethics training every three years.

Higher Ethical Standards: DPOR Law vs. the Realtor Code of Ethics

Getting a Virginia license and becoming a Realtor are two different bars. A license is the state minimum: every Virginia agent must follow DPOR law and the fiduciary duties they owe clients — often remembered as OLD CAR (Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, and Reasonable care), enforced by DPOR. Realtor® status adds a higher, voluntary standard: the NAR Code of Ethics, first adopted in 1913, with 17 Articles covering duties to clients, the public, and other Realtors — enforced by local associations, with real consequences for violations, plus ethics training every three years.

Want the detail on the agency duties every licensee owes? See our guide to real estate fiduciary duties (the OLD CAR acronym).

Virginia Realtor Dues & Costs

Realtors in Virginia pay national NAR dues ($156 per year plus a $45 Consumer Advertising assessment for 2026), Virginia Realtors state dues, and local association dues, which vary by board. These are on top of your DPOR license fees and continuing-education costs — and in return you get the MLS, the brand, advocacy, education, and referral network described above.

How Many Realtors Are in Virginia? (2026)

Figures from Virginia Realtors and NAR (2024–2026 Member Profile).

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start? Enroll in the Virginia pre-license course, or see how to get your Virginia real estate license and how to become a Realtor nationwide.