Virginia (VA) Real Estate Exam Guide

From the PSI content outline · candidate handbook · verified 2026-09-18

• Agency definitions and relationships: Broker-salesperson relationships and compensation, Limited service, Disclosure of agency, Document handling — delivery and leaving copies, Standard agent duties, Duties to client vs. customer, Misrepresentation and omissions, Brokerage agreements, Designated and dual agency, Unrepresented parties
• Disclosure requirements: Property disclosure including the Chesapeake Bay Act, Aircraft noise/crash disclosure, Septic disclosure, Megan’s Law, Stigmatized properties, HOA/POA disclosures — review and cancellation timing, what constitutes delivery, Advertising rules
• Licensing: Qualifications and requirements, Broker’s supervisory requirements, Disciplinary procedures and sanctions, Improper dealings and improper brokerage, Inspection of records and audits, Record keeping requirements, License types and activities requiring a license, Post-license and continuing education, License transfer and informing the Board of changes
• Virginia fair housing law and regulations:
• Specific acts pertaining to real estate practice: Condominium and unit-owner restrictions, Virginia Common Interest Communities Act (broker only)
• Escrow accounts:

The state-specific points that show up as questions. Each cites where it comes from.

1. 1

   The Virginia portion needs 75%, the national only 70%

   You need 56 of 80 nationally but 30 of 40 on the Virginia portion. That is 75% — a higher bar on the half with less time per question. Ten misses on the state portion and you are done.

   Source: PSI bulletin, Score Reporting

2. 2

   45 minutes for 40 state questions

   The national portion gives you 105 minutes for 80 questions; the Virginia portion gives 45 for 40. Roughly a minute each, against a stricter passing mark.

   Source: PSI bulletin, Examination Summary Table

3. 3

   Fingerprinting happens at the test center

   Fingerprinting is mandatory for all Virginia applicants and is offered walk-in at PSI Virginia sites during regular testing hours for $52 — $27 state plus $25 PSI. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to clear, so do it the day you test rather than after.

   Source: PSI bulletin, License Application Instructions

4. 4

   The one-year clock runs from your original exam date

   If you pass both portions together, the application must reach the Board within one year of passing. If your completed application is not received within one year of the original examination date, you retake whichever portion has expired.

   Source: PSI bulletin, License Application Instructions

5. 5

   Fail one portion, retake only that one

   You repeat just the portion you failed — but the one-year clock above does not restart, so a failed portion late in the year can cost you the portion you already passed.

   Source: PSI bulletin, License Application Instructions

6. 6

   Reciprocal applicants take the state portion only

   If you are applying by reciprocity you only need to pass the Virginia portion — the harder-scored half, on its own.

   Source: PSI bulletin, License Application Instructions

7. 7

   No scratch paper on remote proctored exams

   Candidates testing remotely are not allowed scratch paper. Virginia tests real estate calculations, so if you work problems on paper, book an in-person seat.

   Source: PSI bulletin, Examination Protocol

8. 8

   No same-day rebooking

   Score processing means you cannot book a new appointment on the day you test. Your score shows on screen at the end and the emailed report carries a topic-by-topic diagnostic if you failed.

   Source: PSI bulletin, Retaking a Failed Examination and Score Reporting