Law Updates
Tracked regulatory and legislative changes affecting Virginia licensees.
- Legislation
New laws preview (July 1 effective)
Forecasted statutory changes to licensee disciplinary frameworks and disclosure language.
- Board may take certain disciplinary cases 'under advisement'.
- New 'Buyer Beware' disclosure language regarding localized property tax rules and military installation proximity.
- Regulations
2026 Regulatory Overhaul (first major rewrite since 2019)
The Virginia Real Estate Board condensed and clarified core regulations to combat wire fraud and property scams.
- Identity Verification: Licensees must take reasonable steps to verify the true identity of a seller or landlord before listing or managing a property.
- Simplified Advertising: The strict 'one-click-away' rule for digital ads is retired. Universal standard now requires the firm name and office contact info on all ads (no print/online distinction).
- Unlicensed Assistant Pay: Unlicensed staff may now be paid on a per-transaction basis (not only salary/hourly); permitted duties remain strictly administrative.
- Continuing Education
CE Reallocation (effective April 1, 2026)
Part of the April 1, 2026 regulatory amendment (18VAC135-20-101, Register Vol. 42 Iss. 14): mandatory core CE hours increase (Legal Updates, Agency, Contracts each +1 hr); electives drop from 8 to 5. Total stays 16 hrs for salespersons.
- Legal Updates & Emerging Trends: 1 hr → 2 hrs
- Real Estate Agency: 1 hr → 2 hrs
- Real Estate Contracts: 1 hr → 2 hrs
- Electives: 8 hrs → 5 hrs