The Virginia Real Estate Board regulations allow a 30-day grace period in which a license may be renewed without penalty (therefore, your payment is actually 31 days late). Staff cannot waive the fee. 

Regulations state that if the requirements for renewal of a license, including receipt of the fee by the board, are not complete within 30 days of the expiration date, a reinstatement fee is required.

Once your license expires, you no longer have a license to practice real estate. The grace period is not a license extension, but only an additional 30 days to complete your education and submit payment without having to pay the reinstatement fee.