Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Prep Checklist
Everything for the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson exam in one place: the bulletin's key facts, the topics and how many questions each carries, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a prep checklist. PSI gives the exam.
Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Facts
From the official bulletin:
| Questions | 40 questions |
| Time limit | 45 minutes |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 75 |
| Books in the exam room | Closed book (no books in the room) |
| Exam fee | $60 |
On exam day
- You must present one valid, non-expired, signature-bearing photo ID from the accepted list, matching the name you registered under.
- Arrive at the examination center at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
- The examinations are closed book and reference materials of any kind are prohibited, although a word-to-word translation dictionary without pictures or definitions may be brought.
- Handheld calculators are prohibited at the examination.
- Test center candidates receive an LCD writing tablet for notes, remote candidates may not have scratch paper, and a wide list of personal items and electronic devices is prohibited.
Study references listed in the bulletin (not allowed in the exam room)
- Modern Real Estate Practice (21st Edition)
- Mastering Real Estate Math (9th Edition, 2022)
- The Language of Real Estate (8th Edition, 2019)
- Property Management (11th edition, 2016)
- Real Estate Law (11th Edition, 2022)
- Real Estate Fundamentals (10th Edition, 2019)
- Real Estate Principles (Charles Jacobus) (12th Edition)
- Real Estate Principles (Floyd and Allen) (12th Edition, 2021)
- Mastering Real Estate Principles (8th Edition, 2022)
- Real Estate Principles & Practices (9th Edition, 2014)
- Principles of Real Estate Practice (6th edition, 2019)
- Virginia Real Estate License Laws
- Virginia Real Estate Board Regulations
- Virginia Fair Housing Law
- Virginia Fair Housing Regulations
- Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act
- Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act
- Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Regulations
- Virginia Condominium Act
- Virginia Condominium Regulations
- Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
- Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
- Common Interest Community Management Information Fund
- Property Owner's Association Act
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- You schedule by registering online at PSI's website or by calling PSI at (855) 340-3910.
- You must be approved to take the examination in one of three ways before scheduling: through your education provider, by reciprocity with an uploaded current license, or with an uploaded letter from the Board.
- You can cancel and reschedule without forfeiting your fee if PSI receives your cancellation notice two days before the scheduled examination date, by website or by phone (not voicemail or email).
- If you miss your appointment, arrive after the start time, cancel late, or lack proper ID, your registration is invalid and your fee is forfeited.
- Your score appears on screen at the end of the examination and a score report is emailed, with a diagnostic report by topic if you fail.
- You cannot rebook on the same day you tested, may be able to retest within two business days if space allows, and need only retake the portion you failed.
- After passing, you must submit the license application and fee to DPOR within 1 year of the examination and complete mandatory fingerprinting.
Source: Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin (Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation), Last Revised 2/18/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Topics
The official content outline has 6 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Licensing | 8 | 20% |
| Virginia Escrow Accounts | 2 | 5% |
| Virginia Disclosure Requirements | 10 | 25% |
| Virginia Agency Definitions and Relationships | 12 | 30% |
| Virginia Fair Housing Law and Regulations | 4 | 10% |
| Virginia Acts Pertaining to Real Estate Practice | 4 | 10% |
Virginia Disclosure Requirements: Property Disclosure (including Chesapeake Bay Act); Aircraft Noise/Crash Disclosure; Septic Disclosure; Megans Law; Stigmatized Properties; HOA/POA disclosures (timing for review/cancellation, what constitutes delivery); Advertising Rules; Article 3. Duties of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.
Virginia Agency Definitions and Relationships: Broker-Salesperson Relationships and Compensation; Limited Service; Disclosure of Agency; Agency duties (Document handling, Standard agent duties, Duties to client vs. customer, Misrepresentation/omissions, Brokerage agreements); Designated and Dual Agency; Unrepresented parties; Article 3. Duties of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons; Part V - Standards of Practice and Conduct.
Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Prep Checklist
- Study the topics in the outline. This is a closed-book exam, so you work from memory.
- Start with the biggest topics: Virginia Agency Definitions and Relationships and Virginia Disclosure Requirements (55% of the exam).
- Take our timed practice exams until you pass several in a row.
- Read the explanation and reference for every question you miss.
- Practice at the real exam's pace: about 1 minute 8 seconds per question.
Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Reference Books
The bulletin lists possible study materials for the national and state portions, which are for study only because the examinations are closed book.
Where to get them:
Test Day Checklist
- First pass: answer every question you know. Bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions.
- Second pass: work through your bookmarks.
- Pace: 45 minutes for 40 questions, which is about 1 minute 8 seconds per question.
- Last step: answer anything still blank. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
The state portion tests YOUR state's statutes, deadlines, and agency rules — which differ from national principles. Don't rely only on a national prep book; study the state-specific material.
Questions on fiduciary duties, agency relationships, and required disclosures run throughout the exam. Be able to apply them to scenarios, not just define them.
Read the explanation for every question — right or wrong. Understanding the underlying rule lets you answer reworded questions you've never seen, instead of memorizing specific answers.
Practicing against a ticking clock is the best way to beat exam-clock anxiety. Use these timed tests to build your pacing, so you learn to move steadily and never burn too long on a single question. By test day, the format feels routine.
Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Sample Questions
From our practice question bank, with answers and references:
Sample 1 — Virginia Fair Housing Law and Regulations
Question: A salesperson lists a single-family home that is not being offered in conjunction with the sale of other dwellings. Under the fair housing poster requirements, where must the HUD-approved fair housing poster be posted and maintained?
- A. At the dwelling and at the office
- B. At any place of business offering it
- C. At the model home for the subdivision
- D. At the dwelling throughout the listing
Correct Answer: B
For a single-family dwelling not offered in conjunction with other dwellings but offered through a broker, agent, salesperson, or person in the business of selling or renting dwellings, the poster must be posted and maintained at any place of business where the dwelling is offered for sale or rental. Posting at the dwelling itself is required for other covered dwellings, not for this situation.
Reference: Virginia Fair Housing Law and Regulations, 18VAC135-50-110 E
Sample 2 — Virginia Acts Pertaining to Real Estate Practice
Question: A declarant expects that clubhouse and pool improvements labeled "NOT YET COMPLETED" on the recorded plats will still be unfinished when the first condominium unit is conveyed. The completion bond covering those improvements must be filed with which entity?
- A. The Common Interest Community Board
- B. The unit owners' association
- C. The clerk of the circuit court
- D. The local building official
Correct Answer: A
Section 55.1-1921 requires the declarant to file the completion bond — in the sum of 100 percent of the estimated cost of completion — with the Common Interest Community Board, and the bond must be executed by a surety authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth or other surety satisfactory to the Board.
Reference: Virginia Condominium Act, § 55.1-1921
Sample 3 — Virginia Escrow Accounts
Question: A principal broker uses escrow funds to purchase a certificate of deposit. Which circumstance is expressly treated as commingling under the Real Estate Board's escrow regulations?
- A. The original certificate is kept outside the broker's control
- B. The certificate is purchased in the escrow account's name
- C. The interest earned is credited to the escrow account
- D. The certificate matures after the scheduled settlement
Correct Answer: A
18VAC135-20-181 D 2 states that if escrow funds are used to purchase a certificate of deposit, the pledging or hypothecation of the certificate, or the absence of the original certificate from the direct control of the principal or supervising broker, constitutes commingling.
Reference: Virginia Real Estate Board Regulations, 18VAC135-20-181 D 2
Sample 4 — Virginia Agency Definitions and Relationships
Question: You are a salesperson acting as a designated representative for the buyer in a transaction where another licensee in your firm represents the seller. Under board regulations on disclosure of brokerage relationships, written consent must be obtained from the buyer no later than what point?
- A. When the offer reaches the presenting licensee
- B. At the first substantive discussion of property
- C. When the sales contract becomes ratified
- D. At settlement on the purchased property
Correct Answer: A
18VAC135-20-220 A 3 requires disclosure to be given and consent obtained from the buyer not later than the time an offer to purchase is presented to the licensee who will present the offer to the listing agent or seller, and from the seller not later than the time the offer to purchase is presented to the seller.
Reference: Virginia Real Estate Board Licensing Regulations, 18VAC135-20-220 A
Online Practice vs. a PDF
- Timed: you practice finding answers under time pressure, not just reading them.
- Bookmarks: flag questions and come back, the way you will on test day.
- New sets: each attempt draws new questions from our bank.
- Scored by topic: your results show which outline topics need more study.
Next Step
- Take the free Virginia Real Estate Salesperson practice exam.
- Study the topics where you scored lowest.
- Read the exam bulletin for the official rules, and see the licensing board's website.