VA claims agent exam FAQ: 20 questions answered
Quick answer: Twenty sourced Q&As on the VA accredited claims agent process. Key numbers: 75 percent to pass under 38 CFR 14.629, retakes capped at twice per 6 months, the online exam runs several times a year with the next tentative sitting January 26, 2027, and new agents need 3 hours of continuing education within 12 months of accreditation.
TL;DR
- 75 percent is the passing score (38 CFR 14.629).
- No official pass rate is published by VA.
- Retakes: maximum twice per 6-month period.
- The exam runs online several times a year; next tentative date January 26, 2027.
- New agents need 3 hours of continuing education within 12 months of accreditation.
The twenty questions below cover what almost everyone asks before applying: what a claims agent is, how the OGC exam works, what to study, and what accreditation lets you do. Every answer links to the regulation, statute, or VA page it comes from. Where VA has not published something publicly, we say so.
Getting started
What is a VA accredited claims agent?
A claims agent is a non-attorney whom VA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) has accredited to represent veterans and other claimants on VA benefit claims. Accreditation requires applying on VA Form 21a, passing a character-and-fitness review, and scoring 75 percent or more on a written exam (38 CFR 14.629).
What does a VA claims agent do?
A claims agent helps claimants prepare, present, and prosecute claims for VA benefits such as disability compensation, pension, and survivor benefits. That includes gathering evidence, filing forms, communicating with VA, and representing clients in appeals. Agents may charge fees for this work, subject to VA's fee rules. See what a claims agent does for a fuller picture.
What is the difference between a claims agent, an attorney, and a VSO representative?
All three must be VA-accredited to help with claims, but the paths differ. Claims agents pass a character-and-fitness review and a written exam. Attorneys in good standing with a state bar do not take the exam. VSO representatives are accredited through a recognized veterans service organization and may not charge fees (38 CFR 14.636(b)). Only agents and attorneys may charge claimants. Full comparison: agent vs. attorney vs. VSO.
Do I need a law degree to become a VA claims agent?
No. Claims agents are accredited through the character-and-fitness review and a written exam, not through bar membership (38 CFR 14.629(b)). Many agents come from backgrounds such as paralegal work, insurance adjusting, or military service. See who can become a claims agent.
I am not a veteran. Can I still become a claims agent?
Yes. VA does not require claims agents to be veterans. Non-veterans can be accredited if they meet the character, background, and exam requirements in 38 CFR 14.629.
The application
How do I apply for accreditation?
File VA Form 21a, Application for Accreditation as a Claims Agent or Attorney (current revision April 2025). OGC accepts it by mail, by fax to (202) 495-5457, or as a PDF emailed to [email protected]. The form asks for personal history, employment, three character references who are not immediate family, and disclosure of criminal and disciplinary history. Neither the form nor OGC's pages mention an application fee.
What is the character and fitness review?
OGC reviews your criminal history, disciplinary history, candor on the application, and character references before deciding whether you are fit to represent claimants. Under current rules, OGC must make an affirmative character-and-fitness determination before an agent applicant may sit for the exam (38 CFR 14.629(b)(6)). See the background check guide.
The exam
What topics are on the claims agent exam?
OGC lists compensation and pension programs, claim procedures, appeals, agents' fees, and waiver of indebtedness. OGC recommends studying title 38 U.S. Code chapters 1, 11, 13, 15, 51, 53, 59, 71, and 72, and title 38 CFR parts 1, 3, 4, 14, 19, and 20. See the full exam topic outline.
How many questions are on the exam, and how much time do I get?
VA's public pages do not say. Secondary sources, including a reproduced OGC applicant letter, report 40 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit. Treat that as reported, not confirmed, and follow the instructions in the letter OGC sends you. Details: exam format.
Is the exam open book?
VA's public pages do not say. Secondary sources report the online exam is closed book and proctored by video. This is unverified. Your OGC instructions letter is the authority.
What score do I need to pass?
75 percent or more on the written examination (38 CFR 14.629(b)(6)). See passing score and retake rules.
How many times can I retake the exam?
No more than twice in any 6-month period (38 CFR 14.629(b)(6)). The regulation does not set a lifetime limit.
When is the next exam?
OGC offers the online exam several times per year on pre-determined dates. As of October 2026, OGC's page lists January 26, 2027 as the next tentative date. Confirm the date with VA OGC before making plans, since dates can move.
How long does the whole accreditation process take?
OGC says claims agent applications take about 1 year on average to process (OGC fact sheet). That includes the character-and-fitness review, the exam, and OGC's final review before issuing notice of accreditation. See how long accreditation takes.
Studying
What should I study for the exam?
Start with OGC's recommended list: 38 U.S.C. chapters 1, 11, 13, 15, 51, 53, 59, 71, and 72, and 38 CFR parts 1, 3, 4, 14, 19, and 20. Put the most time into 38 CFR Part 3 (adjudication), Part 4 (rating schedule), Part 14 (accreditation and fees), and Part 20 (appeals), since those carry the most exam weight. Our study plan turns that list into 2-, 4-, and 6-week schedules.
How long should I study before the exam?
Most candidates study 4 to 6 weeks at a steady pace, though people with a legal or VA background sometimes need less. A structured plan with timed practice questions matters more than raw hours. Consistent daily review of the cited regulations beats last-minute cramming.
After accreditation
How do claims agents get paid?
Agents may charge a fee only for services provided after the date of notice of the agency of original jurisdiction's initial decision (38 U.S.C. 5904(c)(1)). Fees must be reasonable; a fee of 33 1/3 percent or less of past-due benefits is presumed reasonable, and VA can pay fees directly to the agent up to 20 percent of past-due benefits under a valid direct-pay agreement (38 CFR 14.636). See what fees agents may charge.
Do accredited claims agents have continuing education requirements?
Yes. Accredited agents must complete 3 hours of qualifying continuing legal education within 12 months of accreditation, 3 more hours by the third year, and 3 hours every 2 years after that (38 CFR 14.629(b)(1)(iv)). See CLE requirements.
Can a VA accredited claims agent work remotely or in any state?
Yes. VA accreditation is federal, so an accredited claims agent can represent claimants in any state and can work remotely. There is no state-by-state licensing for claims agents the way there is for attorneys. See working remotely in any state.
About this site
Is this website affiliated with VA?
No. VA Claims Agent Exam Prep is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, approved by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its Office of General Counsel. Content is educational, not legal advice, and practice questions are original and do not reproduce the OGC exam. See the about page.