Virginia real estate license and CE requirements
What the Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Virginia asks salespersons for 16 hours every two years, 11 of them in required topics: fair housing, ethics and standards of conduct, agency, contracts, and legal updates that include flood zones and flood insurance. Brokers need 24 hours, with 8 hours on supervision and management of agents and brokerage firms.
New Virginia salespersons complete a 30-hour post-license curriculum within their first year, or the license goes inactive; it takes the place of regular CE for that term. Extra hours completed in the last six months before expiration carry into the next period.
Virginia at a glance
| Licensing body | Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 16 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: 11 required hours: Fair housing (2 hrs), Ethics and standards of conduct (3 hrs), Real estate agency (2 hrs), Real estate contracts (2 hrs), Legal updates and emerging trends incl. flood zones and NFIP (2 hrs); 5 elective hours |
| Broker CE | 24 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: 19 required hours: Supervision and management of agents and brokerage firms (8 hrs, 2 of which cover broker supervision requirements), Fair housing (2 hrs), Ethics and standards of conduct (3 hrs), Real estate agency (2 hrs), Real estate contracts (2 hrs), Legal updates and emerging trends (2 hrs); 5 elective hours |
| Post-license education | Salespersons must complete a 30-hour post-license curriculum within one year from the last day of the month the license was issued, or the license is placed on inactive status; it is in lieu of regular CE for that term. |
| Source | State code or rule text (Virginia), checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Virginia requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Transaction Coordination Specialist
Carry every deal from signed contract to closing without a missed deadline.
Virginia's required topics touch contracts, financing or closing. The CTCS covers contract terms, deadlines and coordinating a deal from signed contract to closing.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
Agency appears in Virginia's required topics. The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Questions about Virginia
How many CE hours does a Virginia salesperson need?
16 hours every 2 years, according to the Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: 11 required hours: Fair housing (2 hrs), Ethics and standards of conduct (3 hrs), Real estate agency (2 hrs), Real estate contracts (2 hrs), Legal updates and emerging trends incl. flood zones and NFIP (2 hrs); 5 elective hours.
How many CE hours does a Virginia broker need?
24 hours every 2 years, according to the Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: 19 required hours: Supervision and management of agents and brokerage firms (8 hrs, 2 of which cover broker supervision requirements), Fair housing (2 hrs), Ethics and standards of conduct (3 hrs), Real estate agency (2 hrs), Real estate contracts (2 hrs), Legal updates and emerging trends (2 hrs); 5 elective hours.
Is there post-license education in Virginia?
Salespersons must complete a 30-hour post-license curriculum within one year from the last day of the month the license was issued, or the license is placed on inactive status; it is in lieu of regular CE for that term. Confirm the details with the Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation).
Do ACI designations count toward Virginia CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Virginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) and do not satisfy any part of Virginia's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.