Keeping it Honest: Understanding Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud
Fraud has become a major issue in the industry. Lawbreakers use real estate as a vehicle to steal the life savings of unsuspecting homeowners and defraud lenders out of millions of dollars for their own gain. Federal, state, and local governments have taken steps to combat real estate fraud, but it remains a major problem—one you need to have a solid understanding of to ensure you're able to shield your clients and yourself from being defrauded or unknowingly committing fraud.
Keeping It Honest: Understanding Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud has been updated to discuss the latest fraudulent schemes and explain recent government initiatives aimed at stopping fraud and protecting consumers.
Course Highlights:
- Fraud and its impact on the real estate industry
- The newest and most prevalent types of fraudulent schemes
- Red flag behaviors that suggest someone is engaging in fraud
- How to report fraudulent or suspected fraudulent activities to the proper authorities
- Key government initiatives aimed at stopping fraud and protecting consumers
- Activities and scenarios to provide real-world context for course content
State Requirements For Virginia
Virginia State Requirement Details for Real Estate Salesperson Continuing Education
Renewal Date: License expires every two years on the last day of the initial license month. Renew no earlier than 60 days prior to license expiration.
Hours Required by the State if License Expires Before June 30, 2026: 16 hours
- 8 hours of mandatory course topics
- 3 hours in Ethics & Standards of Conduct
- 2 hours in Fair Housing
- 1 hours in Legal Updates and Emerging Trends
- 1 hours in Real Estate Agency
- 1 hours in Real Estate Contracts
- 8 hours of elective course topics or mandatory course topics
Hours Required by the State if License Expires On or After June 30, 2026: 16 hours
- 11 hours of mandatory course topics
- 3 hours in Ethics & Standards of Conduct
- 2 hours in Fair Housing
- 2 hours in Legal Updates and Emerging Trends
- 2 hours in Real Estate Agency
- 2 hours in Real Estate Contracts
- 5 hours of elective course topics or mandatory course topics
Note: These Continuing Education requirements also apply to inactive experienced salespersons who apply to activate their licenses. No Continuing Education is required of new salespersons in their first two-year license term. However, some new salesperson licensees—upon completion of their 30-hour Post-License Education requirement—may choose to begin taking Continuing Education courses in the six months just prior to renewing their license for the first time. If a new salesperson completes Continuing Education courses in those last six months of the first licensure period, those hours may carry over to the 16-hours required of them during their second two-year licensure term pursuant to 18 VAC 135-20-101.
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Real Estate Board
Street Address: 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23233-1485
Mailing Address: 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23233-1485
Telephone: (804) 367-8526
Email: reboard@dpor.virginia.gov