How to get your West Virginia real estate license

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a West Virginia real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.

Note: West Virginia requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education split into four specific subject blocks: Real Estate Principles and Practice (30 hours), Real Estate Law (20 hours), Real Estate Finance (20 hours), and Real Estate Appraisal (20 hours). All 90 hours must be completed within the five years before you apply.

• Confirm eligibility: 18 or older, high school diploma or equivalent, and — in the statute's words — trustworthy, of good moral character, and competent to transact business.
• Complete the 90-hour pre-license program through a Commission-approved provider: 30 hours of Principles and Practice, 20 hours of Real Estate Law, 20 hours of Finance, and 20 hours of Appraisal.
• Pass your school's course exams and get your Official Course Completion Certificate — the one showing your scores, not the student affidavit. You'll upload this with your exam application.
• Make sure everything was completed within the 5-year window before your application date.

West Virginia uses Pearson VUE to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 70%. The exam fee is $59. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: Two parts taken by computer at a Pearson VUE test center: a national portion (80 scored questions, 150 minutes) and a West Virginia state portion (50 scored questions, 60 minutes). Exam fee increased from $55 to $59 effective February 1, 2026..

• Complete the national fingerprint-based criminal background check first — schedule through the Commission's linked vendor, IdentoGO, using service code 228Q6K. The fee is about $45, paid to IdentoGO at your appointment (the exact amount is shown during IdentoGO enrollment; the state doesn't publish it).
• Submit the exam application online through the WVREC portal with the $25 exam application fee — the Commission no longer accepts paper applications. Upload your Official Course Completion Certificate and a copy of your valid driver's license.
• Once approved, Pearson VUE emails you authorization to test. You get 90 days OR two attempts (whichever comes first) before you'd have to reapply. The exam fee is $59.
• Pass both portions at 70%. Each pass certificate is good for 90 days, so don't sit on it.
• Within 90 days of passing, submit the online license application with proof of passing both portions, the signed Verification of Sponsoring Broker form, and the $75 salesperson license fee.
• Note on broker sponsorship: West Virginia requires an active sponsoring broker to issue your salesperson license — there's no inactive initial issuance like some states. Your license is held by your broker; you can move to inactive status later using the Commission's status-update form.

Your West Virginia license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.