Every state has a unique way of naming and identifying agents and unique requirements for their licensing attainment, upgrading and continuing eduction.
In Virginia, there are 2 licensing categories. Licensing status is not usually a reasonable indication of experience, proficiency or expertise. There are lots of long-time agents out there whose skills are out-dated and just don’t keep up with expanding their personal knowledge base, technology or the latest best-practices. Likewise, there are lots of great salespeople who come into real estate with a solid grasp of the skills needed to be a success early in their careers.
SALESPERSON: Agents that are new to real estate will have a Salesperson title. Sometimes this will be reflected on a business card, but sometimes not. Salespersons in Virginia have to pass a 60 hour course among a few other requirements. The Salesperson license is good indefinitely. Some salespersons retain the title for their entire career. For many young Salespersons, their first closing is on someone else’s home!
From the Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation:
Salespersons must complete 60 hours in the principles of real estate and pass the State and National portions of the salesperson examination.
ASSOCIATE BROKER: Unlike some state, Virginia does NOT require that agents upgrade their license to an Associate Broker status. This is an additional 180 hours of training, is voluntary, and includes are requirement to have been licensed and engaged, full time in the practice of real estate.
From the Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation:
Brokers must complete 180 hours of education, pass the State and National Portions of the broker examination, and submit verification of experience (actively engaged as a salesperson for 36 out of the 48 months preceding application for licensure).
Fact: About 80-% of agents nation-wide do NOT make it to their second year. Most agents don’t grasp the difficulty of running a successful small business, especially one based on a commission-only model.
So, while you can’t exactly use licensing status to gauge experience and expertise, Virginia agents with an Associate Broker license have considerably more education…and the additional hours are voluntary. That says a lot about an agent. All of the Nest agents carry an Association Broker license.
Our agents…
- Have a minimum of three years, full-time experience as a Realtor
- Work full-time as a Realtor
- Have earned their Broker’s License
- Are actively involved in the local Realtor Association
- Absolutely, positively do not practice dual agency
Education, experience, all of it matters. Be sure your real estate person is committed to the profession.
