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HB 157

Real Estate Board; an applicant for new real estate license to certify criminal history info.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Holly Seibold

HB 157 mandates real estate license applicants in Virginia certify criminal history to the Real Estate Board during application, though a subcommittee voted to strike it from consideration.

Left in Committee General Laws
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Bill Summary · HB 157

Legislative bill overview

HB 157 would require applicants for new real estate licenses in Virginia to certify their criminal history information to the Real Estate Board. The bill appears designed to ensure background transparency during the licensing application process, though the specific details of which crimes must be disclosed and how they're evaluated are not specified in the available information.

Why is this important

Real estate licensing involves access to clients' homes, financial information, and significant assets, making background checks a legitimate consumer protection concern. However, criminal history requirements can also impact employment opportunities for individuals with prior convictions, raising questions about rehabilitation and second chances.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of disclosure: Unclear whether all criminal convictions must be reported or only certain felonies/relevant crimes, and whether sealed records or misdemeanors are included
  • Disqualification standards: No specified criteria for which criminal histories would actually disqualify applicants, leaving discretion potentially inconsistent across cases
  • Implementation burden: The fiscal impact statement was requested, suggesting concerns about administrative costs and compliance complexity for the Real Estate Board

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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