The VA Association of REALTORS helped to defeat a bill in the VA Senate that would have waived the current 180 hour educational requirement for a broker's license if an agent had been in the business at least 5 years.

This is one of the most absurd proposals I've heard in a long time! In a profession that is already woefully remiss in requiring enough education the state senate was talking about making the situation worse! It's hard to see what the motivation would have been for such a move. Surely the consumer doesn't win by weakening the standards. The 180 hours is already laughable considering that my hairdresser needs 1500 hours to become licensed!

There is also a bill moving through the house to strengthen the continuing education requirements for agents. This was a bill that was crafted by the industry because most of us recognize the need for more knowledgeable agents. The consumer deserves it and we certainly prefer working with others who know what they're doing. Unfortunately, the house has already watered down the requirements. So, while we're likely to make some progress, in the end it won't be as dramatic as we'd hoped.

I'd urge each of you to support legislation that increases the education required before an agent helps you with one of the largest financial transactions of their life!