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To qualify for a Virginia real estate salesperson license through the Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB) and the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Complete a 60-hour VREB-approved pre-licensing course in Principles and Practices of Real Estate.
• Pass both the state and national portions of the Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam administered by PSI.
• Submit state-mandated electronic fingerprints and pass a background check.
• Affiliate with an active Virginia supervising broker (such as Coldwell Banker Elite) to activate your license.

Northstar Academy is the educational division of Coldwell Banker Elite. Class locations alternate between our three regional offices across the Greater Fredericksburg area:

• Stafford Office: 100 Parkway Blvd, Stafford, VA 22553
• Downtown Fredericksburg Office: 520 William St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
• Spotsylvania Office: 4840 Southpoint Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

These locations conveniently serve students across Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Caroline County, and surrounding communities. Both weekday accelerated cohorts and evening/weekend options are available.

The course covers the standard curriculum required by the Virginia Real Estate Board to prepare you for everyday practice and the state exam:

• Property ownership, rights, and land use controls
• Real estate contracts, legal descriptions, and deeds
• Agency relationships, duties, and client disclosures
• Real estate finance, mortgages, and closing settlement procedures
• Federal, state, and local Fair Housing laws and professional ethics
• Real estate mathematics, valuation, and commission calculations

Most students complete the licensing process within 4 to 8 weeks, depending on class format and study pace:

• Day Format: Complete the 60 hours in as little as 2 weeks.
• Evening & Weekend Format: Complete the course over 4 to 6 weeks while continuing your current job.
• Exam & Application: Scheduling your PSI exam, completing fingerprinting, and receiving active approval from DPOR generally takes 2 to 3 weeks after coursework.

Yes. Northstar Academy designs evening and weekend cohorts specifically for working professionals and career changers so you can maintain full-time or part-time employment while completing your 60 required hours.

The state licensing exam is administered by PSI Services and contains two parts:

• National Section: 80 questions covering general real estate principles, valuation, and finance.
• State Section: 40 questions covering Virginia-specific statutes, rules, and DPOR regulations.

You must pass both sections. Northstar Academy provides practice questions, exam preparation strategies, and study guides to thoroughly prepare you before test day.

Starting your real estate career involves manageable, transparent startup costs:

• Pre-Licensing Course: ~$250 to $400 (covers tuition, textbooks, and review tools).
• PSI State Exam Fee: ~$60 per test attempt.
• Fingerprinting & Background Check: ~$50 to $60 (taken at PSI testing centers).
• DPOR Salesperson Application Fee: ~$170.
• Association & MLS Fees: Variable upon affiliating with a brokerage (covers Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® [FAAR], Bright MLS, and SentriLock access).

1. Complete Fingerprinting: Submit electronic fingerprints through PSI (these must be submitted to DPOR within 45 calendar days).
2. Choose a Sponsoring Broker: In Virginia, all active salespersons must be affiliated with an active supervising broker.
3. Submit the DPOR Application: Your broker signs your official application to activate your license.
4. Complete 30 Hours of PLE: Virginia requires 30 hours of Post-License Education within your first 12 months. Coldwell Banker Elite provides this training directly to our agents.

Pre-licensing courses teach legal terminology and test compliance; your brokerage teaches you how to negotiate, find clients, and close deals. Look for a brokerage that offers:

• Dedicated one-on-one mentorship and experienced managing brokers.
• Structured business onboarding and contract mastery.
• Turnkey CRM, digital marketing platforms, and administrative backing.
• Leading regional market share and established brand recognition.

Coldwell Banker Elite provides comprehensive support and local offices across Fredericksburg and Stafford to help new agents build sustainable momentum.

A prior misdemeanor or felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you. The Virginia Real Estate Board reviews applications on a case-by-case basis considering the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. You can also request a non-binding Pre-Determination Review directly from DPOR before enrolling to assess your eligibility in advance.

Yes. Many agents begin their careers part-time while building a client base or transitioning out of another profession. While client responsiveness and scheduling flexibility are critical, Coldwell Banker Elite supports both part-time professionals and those pursuing a full-time real estate career.

Real estate agents work as independent contractors on a 100% commission basis. You earn an agreed percentage of the transaction whenever a home sale closes. Because compensation is performance-based, earning potential is uncapped. We recommend new agents maintain 3 to 6 months of living expenses as working capital while building their business.