There is no separate “Virginia Real Estate Commission”
The actual regulator is the Virginia Real Estate Board, operating under DPOR.
Why people search for a "Virginia Real Estate Commission"
Many states use the word "Commission" for their real estate regulator, so it's a natural search habit to carry into Virginia. But Virginia's regulator is not called a commission — it is the Virginia Real Estate Board, and it operates as a board under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), not as a stand-alone commission.
Who actually regulates real estate licensing in Virginia
The Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB) is composed of nine members appointed by the Governor — seven licensed real estate professionals and two citizen members representing consumer interests. It operates under DPOR and is governed primarily by Title 54.1, Chapter 21 of the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Administrative Code at 18VAC135-20.
What the Board actually handles
The Virginia Real Estate Board licenses salespersons, brokers, and firms; sets and enforces pre-license, post-license, and continuing education requirements; investigates complaints; and can suspend or revoke licenses, impose monetary penalties, or require remedial education. It relies on the judicial system, not its own authority, for criminal prosecutions, and it generally does not adjudicate private commission disputes between a licensee and their brokerage.
A related but distinct entity: the Transaction Recovery Fund
Virginia also maintains a Real Estate Transaction Recovery Fund under Code of Virginia § 54.1-2113 and § 54.1-2116, funded by assessments on licensees, which can pay eligible consumers for losses caused by a licensee's dishonest conduct, subject to statutory caps. This fund is a consumer-protection mechanism tied to the Board — it is not a separate "commission," either.
RealReady is not affiliated with DPOR or the Board
RealReady is an independent, third-party licensing guide. This page is provided to help clarify a common search-term mismatch; it does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, DPOR or the Virginia Real Estate Board.