How to apply for VA claims agent accreditation on VA Form 21a, step by step

Sources checked October 4, 2026. Independent guide, not affiliated with VA. Not legal advice.

You apply by filing VA Form 21a, Application for Accreditation as a Claims Agent or Attorney, with VA's Office of General Counsel. The current form is the April 2025 revision, and the form says "Previous versions of this form will not be used" (VA Form 21a; VA.gov form page).

Before you start: basic eligibility

• Federal employees: OGC says a federal employee generally cannot provide representation before VA. A Reserve component member is not considered a federal employee for this purpose unless on active duty or active duty for training (OGC fact sheet, Q3).
• Suspensions: VA will not accredit someone suspended by any court, bar, or federal or state agency who has not been reinstated (38 CFR 14.629(b)(5); 38 U.S.C. 5904(a)(4)).
• Good character: You must show good character and reputation and the competence to help claimants (14.629(b)(2)). See character and fitness.

Step 1: Download the current form

Get the PDF from VA (VA Form 21a PDF). The form estimates 45 minutes to complete.

Step 2: Fill out every item

OGC: "Be sure to fill out all portions of the form" (OGC fact sheet). The form says unsigned or incomplete applications will not be processed (VA Form 21a). The April 2025 form asks for:

1. Name, home address, phone, email (items 1–2C)
2. Employment status and work address (3A–3B); date and place of birth (4–5)
3. Branch of service, character of discharge, and dates of all active service (6–8)
4. Employment for the past five years, including volunteer work and self-employment (9)
5. Education: high school and all colleges attended (10)
6. Bar membership, and admission to practice before any agency or federal court (11–12)
7. Background questions on criminal history, courts-martial, pending charges, school or job discipline for dishonesty, prior representation, bar or agency discipline, prior VA accreditation, conditions or impairments, and physical limitations for the exam (13–24)
8. Three character references (25)
9. Certification and ink signature with date

Step 3: Attach explanations and documents

• If you answer "yes" to item 13A, 14A, 15A, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23A, or 24A, attach a detailed explanation of the circumstances (OGC fact sheet). The form asks for "all relevant facts and dates along with copies of relevant documents" (Form 21a).
• OGC recommends attaching a recently dated certificate of good standing from every state bar, court, or federal or state agency you are admitted to. This applies to claims agents too (OGC fact sheet).

Step 4: Line up your references

List three people who are not immediate family and who know your character and qualifications, with their full names, addresses, and email addresses (Form 21a, item 25). Because of a processing backlog, OGC now encourages applicants to "personally collect responses from 3 professional character references and submit those responses to OGC at the same time" as Form 21a (VA OGC). OGC's FAQ says applications without the required references are incomplete unless you give an acceptable written explanation (OGC FAQ).

Step 5: Submit by one method only

• Mail: Office of the General Counsel (022D), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420
• Fax: (202) 495-5457
• Email: a PDF attachment to [email protected]

The OGC fact sheet says to choose one method (OGC fact sheet). The OGC accreditation page and FAQ confirm that mail, fax, and email are all accepted (VA OGC; OGC FAQ). OGC says it is working on an online portal for Form 21a, but it was not live on its page as of October 4, 2026.

Step 6: What happens next

1. OGC's Chief Counsel looks into your qualifications and makes an initial determination (14.629(d)).
2. After a favorable character-and-fitness determination, you get written instructions for the exam (Form 21a).
3. You pass with 75% or more (details), OGC finishes its review, and you are notified of accreditation (14.629(d)(1)).

Your answers must be updated as needed until you are accredited. Failing to disclose information can lead to denial (Form 21a). Timeline: how long it takes.