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How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my Virginia real estate license?

An active Virginia broker completes at least 24 hours of continuing education (CE) each licensing term. An active salesperson completes at least 16 at subsequent renewals. Inactive brokers and salespersons don't need CE to renew.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least 16 classroom, correspondence or distance hours each licensing termIt's a condition of renewal for all active salespersons at subsequent renewals.
Verified. Virginia Administrative Code · 18VAC135-20-101, Qualification for renewal; continuing education requirements (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Course hours
Brokers: at least 24 classroom, correspondence or distance hours each termIt applies to every active broker.
Same source and date as above
Rule
11 of the 16 hours: fair housing, ethics, agency, contracts and legal updatesEthics and standards of conduct takes three hours, and each of the other four subjects takes two.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check which number applies to you. At subsequent renewals, an active salesperson completes at least 16 hours each licensing term. An active broker completes at least 24. Inactive brokers and salespersons don't need CE to renew.

  2. Step 2. Pick courses that cover your required subjects. Classroom, correspondence and other distance learning hours all count. The remaining elective hours must be on subjects from the regulation's list of 31, among them contracts, financing, zoning and cyber security, and the board may approve additional subjects. Ask the provider whether the course counts before you pay.

  3. Step 3. Take the required subjects first. For salespersons, 11 of the 16 hours include two hours each in fair housing laws, real estate agency, real estate contracts, and legal updates and emerging trends, plus three hours in ethics and standards of conduct. For brokers, 19 of the 24 hours include eight hours in supervision and management of real estate agents, plus those same five subjects.

  4. Step 4. Renew on time and keep your proof. Keep proof that you finished the hours for three years, and give it to the board or its agents when they ask. If you can't, the license may not be renewed, or you may face disciplinary action.

Before you pay

This page rests on the Virginia Real Estate Board's licensing regulation alone. We haven't confirmed what a salesperson's first renewal requires, which providers the board lists, or a course price.

Before you pay, ask the provider whether the course counts toward your required subjects.

Questions

Can extra hours carry over to the next term?

Some can. Credits you complete beyond what the current term requires, in the six months right before your license expires, carry over into the next two-year renewal period.

What if I'm called to active duty?

If you are called to active duty or deployed in the Armed Forces of the United States, you may finish the required courses within six months after you leave active duty.

What if I don't practice residential real estate?

If you submit a notarized affidavit certifying that you don't practice residential brokerage, management or leasing, and won't during the term, fair housing training isn't required. You must instead receive training in other applicable federal and state discrimination laws and regulations.

Can I earn CE credit for teaching?

Yes. Instructors who are also licensees of the board may earn CE credit for teaching CE courses.

What to do next

Start with the Virginia CE regulation. Then look for the board's own pages on CE.

law.lis.virginia.gov

Sources we read