Real Estate Board: Post-License Education (PLE)
PLE Program Descriptions | Other Important Information | Mandatory RSA Course
Important Information Before Choosing Between PLE 3T and PLE 1T
Section 54.1-2105.01 of the Code of Virginia requires all new salesperson licensees to complete a Board-approved 30-hour post-license education curriculum within one year of obtaining their salesperson licenses.
Since 2004, new salespersons satisfied this requirement by completing the Three-Track Post-License Education (PLE 3T) program. The PLE 3T program is being phased out, however, and will EXPIRE on December 31, 2013.
Effective July 1, 2013, the NEW Single-Track Post-License Education (PLE 1T) goes into effect for new salespersons.
- During the second half of 2013 (from July 1, 2013—December 31, 2013) BOTH the new PLE 1T program and the existing PLE 3T program will be in effect simultaneously. New salespersons can choose either program during that timeframe. However, those who select the PLE 3T program must complete all 30 hours no later than December 31, 2013.
- Any new salesperson who starts the PLE 3T and fails to complete all 30 hours by December 31, 2013, will be required to initiate and complete the entire 30-hour PLE 1T program and will NOT receive credit for any PLE 3T courses previously completed.
- As of January 1, 2014, only the PLE 1T program will be offered.
PLE Program Descriptions
Three-Track Post-License Education (PLE 3T) Curriculum
Under the PLE 3T program (which expires December 31, 2013) a new salesperson must select one of three practice tracks—residential, commercial, or property management—in which to concentrate or specialize.
New salespersons who start the PLE 3T program must complete the entire 30-hour program no later than December 31, 2013. Any new salesperson who fails to complete the 30-hour PLE 3T program by December 31, 2013, will be required to initiate and complete the entire 30-hour PLE 1T program and will NOT receive credit for any PLE 3T courses previously completed.
Single-Track Post-License Education (PLE 1T) Curriculum
Effective July 1, 2013, the NEW Single-Track Post-License Education (PLE 1T) goes into effect for new salespersons. The 30-hour PLE 1T program consists of eight courses:
- Fair Housing, ADA and Civil Rights (two hours)
- Real Estate Law and Regulations (eight hours)
- Ethics and Standards of Conduct (three hours)
- Current Industry Issues and Trends (two hours)
- Agency Law (three hours)
- Contract Writing (six hours)
- Risk Management(three hours)
- Escrow Requirements (three hours)
New salespersons may complete the eight courses and 30 hours among different Board-approved education providers. As of January 1, 2014, the PLE 1T program will be the only approved post-license education curriculum.
Other Important Information
Failure to complete the post-license education requirement within one year of initial licensure will result in your license being placed on inactive status. You cannot practice real estate in Virginia with an inactive license. You may re-activate your license by:
- Completing the 30-hour post-license education requirement; and
- Completing and submitting an "Activate/Transfer Application" form with the required fee.
You may renew or reinstate an inactive new salesperson license for up to one year after the license expiration date, by completing the 30-hour post-license education requirement and meeting all other renewal or reinstatement requirements.
New Salespersons must complete the 30-hour Post-License Education requirement. They do not need to complete the 16-hour Continuing Education curriculum required of other salespersons.
Post-License Education and Continuing Education are two completely different types of Board-approved education. Post-License Education courses will not be accepted as Continuing Education courses and vice-versa. (Visit the Continuing Education page to learn more about those requirements.)
All Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Licenses--including those issued to new licensees--are valid for two years. Although New Salespersons must complete Post-License Education within one year of initial licensure to remain on active status, their license term is for two years.
New Salespersons will not receive any credit from the Board for any Continuing Education courses they complete before their first two-year licensure term ends. Some New Salesperson licensees may mistakenly assume that because they completed their 30-hour Post-License Education requirement, they should then immediately get started on completing the 16-hour Continuing Education hours required of them during their second two-year licensure term. This assumption is incorrect.
New Salespersons must wait until their first two-year licensure term ends, then they can begin to take Continuing Education courses for license renewal credit. Please refer to 18 VAC 135-20-101 of the Real Estate Board Regulations, which states: "All active salespersons... shall be required to complete a total of 16 instruction hours DURING EACH LICENSING TERM." The licensee must complete the Continuing Education hours DURING the licensing term, not BEFORE the licensing term begins.
Residential Standard Agency Course
Required of ALL licensees to renew/reinstate/activate
As a result of significant changes to state law governing residential real estate agency (Section 54.1-2130, et seq. of the Code of Virginia), ALL licensees who renew, reinstate, or activate a salesperson or broker license must complete a Board-approved three-hour course in Residential Standard Agency (RSA).
Completion of the three-hour RSA course is a one-time only education requirement to renew licenses that expire between July 31, 2012, and June 30, 2014. This three-hour course is in addition to the 24 hours of Continuing Education for Brokers, the 16 hours of Continuing Education for Experienced Salespersons, and the 30 hours of Post-License Education for New Salespersons.
NOTE: Licensees who do not practice residential real estate, and shall not do so during the current licensing term, may obtain a waiver from completing the three-hour RSA course. Licensees must submit an original, signed and notarized Residential Standard Agency Continuing Education Course Waiver Notarized Affidavit to qualify for the waiver. Copies, faxes or emails will not be accepted.