How to Become a Real Estate Agent in West Virginia

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be trustworthy, of good moral character, and competent to transact real estate business.
• Pass a national criminal background check (valid for 90 days).

Step by step

1. Complete the 90-hour pre-license course with a Commission-approved provider, scoring at least 70% in each subject.
2. Complete the national criminal background check (service code 228Q6K).
3. Apply online to sit for the exam ($25), uploading your official course completion certificate and a copy of your driver's license.
4. After approval, Pearson VUE emails you to schedule. Pass the national and state exams within 90 days or two attempts.
5. Within 90 days of passing, apply online for the license ($75), uploading both passing score reports and the Verification of Sponsoring Broker form.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: 90 clock hours (equal to 6 college credit hours) in Commission-approved courses from an approved provider: Real Estate Principles and Practice (30), Real Estate Law (20), Real Estate Finance (20), and Real Estate Appraisal (20). You need 70% or higher in each subject to sit for the exam. The course must be finished within the 3 years before you apply (5 years for courses taken before June 9, 2023).

Exam: Pearson VUE (West Virginia candidate handbook, February 2026). National salesperson exam: 80 questions plus 5 pretest, 150 minutes. State salesperson exam: 50 questions plus 5 pretest, 60 minutes. Passing is a scaled 70. Fee: $59 per exam. Authorization lasts 90 days or two attempts, whichever comes first; if you pass one part, retake only the other within that period, or reapply to the Commission and pay again. Passing results are good for 90 days, within which you must apply for the license.

What it costs in West Virginia

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

What other sites get wrong about West Virginia

After you're licensed

Renewal: Licenses are renewed every year by June 30. Salesperson renewal is $75; late fees are $50 (July 1 to August 31), $75 (September 1 to October 31), and $100 (November 1 to December 31). Active licensees complete 7 hours of Commission-approved CE each fiscal year, taken in the fiscal year before the renewal. If you passed both exams during the fiscal year of your first renewal, you are exempt from CE for that renewal if you renew by June 30. Inactive licensees are exempt.

Good to know in West Virginia

Sponsoring broker: Your license application must include a Verification of Sponsoring Broker form.

Exam authorization: You have 90 days or two attempts, whichever comes first, to pass. After that you must resubmit an exam application and fees.

Universal recognition: Under W. Va. Code §30-1-27, a person licensed in another state in the same discipline and at the same practice level shall be granted a license if other conditions are met. Call WVREC at (304) 558-3555 before applying this way.

Sources

• WVREC — Initial Salesperson (no current license)
• WVREC — Education Requirements for Licensure
• WVREC — Schedule of Fees
• WVREC — Continuing Education
• WVREC — Re-take Examination Information
• WVREC — Online Licensing Application
• Pearson VUE — West Virginia Real Estate Candidate Handbook (February 2026)