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PHVA Academy Curriculum

8 weeks. 4 pillars. 1 outcome: VAs ready for US real estate work on day one.

Every PHVA-certified VA has completed all 8 weeks below before being placed with a client. Trainees are graded weekly; failure to pass a week's competency check sends them back to the previous module. Median completion time is 8.4 weeks; the slowest 10% take up to 11.

01Week 1

Cognitive baseline + onboarding

Setting the foundation. Filtering trainees who passed the screen but won't survive the rigor.

  • Cognitive baseline tests (logic, reading comp, attention to detail)
  • Internet speed verification + workspace check
  • Time zone discipline: working a full US business-hours schedule
  • Async communication norms (Loom, Slack, written-first culture)
  • Introduction to PHVA's Success Manager structure
Week 1 assessment: 3 timed cognitive tests (75% pass) + workspace inspection. ~12% of trainees are released this week.
02Week 2

US real estate fundamentals (part 1)

Most trainees walk in knowing nothing about US real estate. By end of week, they know the lifecycle.

  • The transaction lifecycle: offer → accepted → under contract → close
  • Roles: agent, broker, team lead, transaction coordinator, ISA
  • Buyer agency vs listing agency — rights and responsibilities
  • Glossary of 40+ industry terms (MLS, EOM, DA, EMD, BPO, etc.)
  • Common deal structures: cash, conventional, FHA, VA
Week 2 assessment: 50-question terminology + scenario test (80% pass).
03Week 3

US real estate fundamentals (part 2) + state-specific nuance

Where state-by-state differences will trip up an unprepared VA.

  • State-specific contract differences (CA, FL, TX, NY, AZ)
  • Post-2024 NAR settlement: buyer agency agreements + commission disclosure
  • Disclosure requirements (lead-based paint, flood, HOA)
  • Trust account / escrow basics
  • 1031 exchange + investor-side workflows (intro level)
Week 3 assessment: Live deal-walkthrough exercise — trainees navigate a mock transaction from offer to close.
04Week 4

Tool stack proficiency

Live workflows on the actual platforms US teams use.

  • Google Workspace + Microsoft 365 (advanced functions, automation)
  • Follow Up Boss, kvCORE, Sierra Interactive, Chime — CRM proficiency
  • Dotloop, DocuSign, SkySlope — transaction management
  • Canva + Adobe Express for listings collateral
  • Loom, Slack, Asana, Monday for team communication
  • Zapier for basic automation between systems
Week 4 assessment: Hands-on tool tests in 4 of the above platforms. Trainees who fail more than 1 platform get a remediation week before continuing.
05Week 5

Track specialization begins (TC / ISA / EA / Marketing)

Trainees commit to one of four tracks. The rest of the program is role-specific.

  • TC track: contract-to-close milestones, MLS data entry, compliance docs
  • ISA track: lead intake scripts, dialer best practices, CRM hygiene, appointment setting
  • EA track: inbox triage at scale, calendar mastery, expense + travel coordination
  • Marketing track: listings prep, social posting cadence, MLS-to-Canva pipelines
  • Each track gets a dedicated instructor (see our instructor team)
Week 5 assessment: Track-specific written exam + practical assignment.
06Week 6

Communication, voice, and DISC

The pillar that separates a "Filipino VA" from a "US-team-ready" VA.

  • DISC behavioral assessment + interpretation
  • Neutral US accent training (mandatory for ISA track, optional for others)
  • Written communication: short, scannable, action-first
  • Phone scripts: lead intake, appointment confirmation, objection handling
  • Cultural fluency: directness without rudeness, escalation etiquette
  • Weekly voice sample review by US-based coach
Week 6 assessment: 60-second video answer to a scenario prompt + live phone roleplay with a senior trainer.
07Week 7

Live shadowing + role-specific scenarios

Trainees shadow active PHVA placements (with client permission) and complete real-world scenarios.

  • 5+ hours of live job shadowing in their track
  • Scenario library: 30+ situations they'll encounter in the first 90 days
  • Conflict-handling: difficult clients, missed deadlines, tool outages
  • Discretion + confidentiality protocols (NDAs, deal sensitivity)
  • Self-management: time tracking, deliverable cadence, weekly reporting
Week 7 assessment: Trainees handle 3 live scenarios solo and submit Loom walkthroughs explaining their decisions.
08Week 8

Final certification

The week most trainees fail. Only ~57% of week-5 starters reach Certification.

  • Comprehensive written exam (90 questions, 90 minutes)
  • Track-specific practical exam (live workflow, time-pressured)
  • Final voice sample + 30-min interview with founder Julian Lundgren
  • Reference + background verification
  • Certification ceremony (virtual) + Talent Bench placement
Week 8 outcome: Pass = PHVA Certification + listed on the Talent Bench. Fail = detailed feedback report + invitation to retake the failed module.

Now you know why we say 2%.

The VAs we place with you have survived 8 weeks of this. Take the match quiz, or book a strategy call.

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