Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
A Virginia broker assigns different agents in the same firm to separately represent the buyer and the seller in one transaction. This arrangement is known as:
Answer: A. Virginia allows designated representation, where the principal broker assigns separate licensees in the firm to represent each client, helping manage the conflict that pure dual agency would otherwise create.
Question 2 of 5
After a Virginia brokerage relationship ends, which duty to the former client generally continues?
Answer: B. Most active agency duties end when the relationship terminates, but the duty to keep confidential information learned during representation generally survives, unless the former client consents to disclosure or the law requires it.
Question 3 of 5
What best describes designated agency (sometimes called designated representation) as permitted in Virginia?
Answer: B. In Virginia a supervising broker, with the clients' written consent, may designate one licensee to represent the seller and a different licensee in the same firm to represent the buyer. Each designated agent owes full client duties to their respective client.
Question 4 of 5
To ensure public representation, the Virginia Real Estate Board's membership must include at least one of which type of member?
Answer: B. In addition to industry licensees, the Board includes at least one citizen member who is not part of the real estate profession, ensuring the public's interest is represented in Board decisions.
Question 5 of 5
In Virginia, who holds the listing or buyer-representation agreement and is the principal party to the brokerage relationship with the client?
Answer: B. In Virginia, brokerage agreements run with the broker/firm; the salesperson acts on behalf of the broker, who is the principal party to the brokerage relationship.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What you need to know
Because the salesperson's license is held by a supervising broker, the brokerage firm establishes the agency relationship, and the salesperson acts as the broker's agent in carrying it out. Virginia permits representation arrangements including standard agency and limited representation, but any such relationship must be clearly disclosed to the parties.
Virginia's Agency and Representation Model: FAQs
Is Virginia's Agency and Representation Model on the real estate exam?
Yes. State License Law is a scored domain on the Virginia real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the state license-law portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
Does Virginia test this differently?
Virginia applies its own license law on top of the national portion. This page covers the Virginia rules specifically, which is what the state section of your exam tests.
