Real estate license requirements in West Virginia
West Virginia requires 90 clock-hours of pre-licensing education and a Pearson VUE exam — and since eliminating most of its reciprocity agreements in 2017, the state now offers full reciprocity with exactly one other state: Florida.
Education
The West Virginia Real Estate Commission requires 90 clock-hours of pre-licensing education (equivalent to 6 college credits), completed within 3 years of applying, split across four courses.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Principles & Practice | 30 | Minimum 70% on each course exam |
| Real Estate Law | 20 | Minimum 70% |
| Real Estate Finance | 20 | Minimum 70% |
| Real Estate Appraisal | 20 | Minimum 70% |
You need a minimum 70% score on each individual course, not just an overall average, and all 90 hours need to be completed within the 3 years before you apply.
What West Virginia calls your first license
West Virginia’s entry-level license is called “Salesperson” — standard terminology, no naming quirks. You’ll need to be affiliated with a licensed West Virginia broker to activate your license.
The licensing exam
West Virginia uses Pearson VUE to administer the exam, split into a national and a state-law portion, each with its own fee.
| Portion | Items | Time | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 scored + 5 unscored pretest | 150 min | 70% |
| West Virginia state law | 50 scored + 5–10 unscored pretest | 60 min | 70% |
Each portion costs $59, paid to Pearson VUE. A background check — the National Criminal Background Check via Pearson VUE, using service code 228Q6K — is also required and stays valid for 90 days; we weren’t able to confirm the exact fee for this check.
West Virginia eliminated most of its reciprocity agreements in 2017. Today, full reciprocity exists with exactly one state — Florida. If you're licensed anywhere else, don't assume a shortcut; you'll get the national exam portion waived at most, and still need to pass West Virginia's state-law portion.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Exam application fee | $25 | WV Real Estate Commission |
| Initial salesperson license | $75 | WV Real Estate Commission |
| Exam fee | $59 per part ($118 for both) | Pearson VUE, paid separately from the above |
| Background check | Not confirmed | Via Pearson VUE, code 228Q6K |
Between the $25 exam application and the $75 initial license, plan on $100 to the Commission directly, plus Pearson VUE’s exam fees on top of that.
How to apply, step by step
West Virginia’s process runs education, exam application, exam, background check, then license application.
All four courses (Principles & Practice, Law, Finance, Appraisal), each with a minimum 70% score, within 3 years of applying.
To the WV Real Estate Commission.
National Criminal Background Check, service code 228Q6K — valid for 90 days.
Both the national and West Virginia state-law portions, $59 each, 70% required on each.
To the WV Real Estate Commission.
A Salesperson license must be affiliated with a licensed West Virginia broker.
After you’re licensed: staying current
We didn’t find a distinct post-licensing education requirement for West Virginia salespersons — the state appears to move new licensees straight into its standard 7-hour-per-year continuing education cycle rather than a separate first-year course. Confirm your specific renewal requirements with the Commission, since this is a lighter-confidence finding.
Reciprocity
This is worth stating plainly: West Virginia eliminated most of its reciprocity agreements in 2017, and today has full reciprocity with exactly one state — Florida. If you hold an active license from any other state, West Virginia will waive only the national portion of the exam; you’ll still need to pass the West Virginia state-law portion and otherwise go through the standard licensing process. Don’t assume broader reciprocity just because your home state has an agreement with other states — West Virginia’s list is genuinely this narrow.
Common questions
Does West Virginia have reciprocity with my state?
Only with Florida, on a full basis — that’s the only state with a complete reciprocity agreement since West Virginia eliminated most of its arrangements in 2017. Every other state gets, at most, a waiver of the national exam portion.
Do I pay for the exam in one combined fee?
No — West Virginia charges $59 per portion, so $118 total if you’re taking both the national and state-law sections.
How long is my background check valid?
90 days, run through Pearson VUE using service code 228Q6K.
Is there a separate post-licensing course in West Virginia?
We didn’t find one — new salespeople appear to go straight into the standard 7-hour-per-year continuing education cycle. Confirm with the Commission since this wasn’t strongly confirmed.
What's West Virginia's entry-level license called?
Salesperson — standard terminology, with no distinct naming quirk.
Next step
West Virginia Real Estate Commission — https://rec.wv.gov
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