Tax Preparer / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Tax Preparer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Prepares tax returns. Some states require registration beyond federal PTIN.

What the Virginia data shows for Tax Preparers

To practice as a tax preparer in Virginia, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on a state-approved exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. The regulation sits under Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Varies".

Budget $100 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Virginia, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Virginia evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Tax Preparer · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Varies
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Tax Preparer All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tax Preparer in Virginia? ▼
Virginia's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Tax Preparer in Virginia? ▼
Virginia licenses tax preparers who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Tax Preparer license to Virginia from another state? ▼
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for tax preparers in Virginia - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the Virginia licensing board for the current process.
Does Virginia require a background check for Tax Preparer licensing? ▼
Yes, Virginia requires a criminal background check as part of the tax preparer licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this tax preparer license

Tax Preparer in Virginia is one requirement row in a tax preparer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Virginia's tax preparer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Tax Preparer in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Virginia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.