How to become a real estate broker in West Virginia

A real estate agent is anyone who earns a real estate license, whether as a salesperson, an associate broker, or a broker. A real estate broker has completed education beyond the agent level and passed a broker's license exam, which allows a broker to work independently or hire agents. Agents must work under the supervision of a sponsoring broker and cannot practice independently. An associate broker has earned a broker's license but chooses to work under the management of another broker rather than operating independently.

In West Virginia, a real estate agent (salesperson) is anyone who earns a real estate license, while a broker has completed additional education beyond the salesperson level and passed a separate broker exam. Brokers can work independently or hire agents, and they bear responsibility for the actions of agents under their supervision. A REALTOR® is a licensed agent or broker who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local board; membership is voluntary and requires adhering to NAR's Code of Ethics.

To become a REALTOR®, you must first hold a real estate license, then join a local REALTOR® association, which automatically enrolls you in the state and national associations. In West Virginia, joining a local WV board provides membership in the West Virginia Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a single combined dues payment. NAR national dues are $156 per year for 2027, plus a $45 special assessment for the consumer advertising campaign. Members must agree to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics, and only NAR members may use the term "REALTOR®."

A real estate agent is anyone who earns a real estate license from the state licensing authority. A REALTOR® is a licensed agent who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local association and must uphold NAR's Code of Ethics. Only NAR members may use the REALTOR® designation. Joining a local association automatically provides membership in the state and national associations.

A real estate broker has completed education beyond the agent level and passed a broker's license exam, and can work independently or hire agents to work under their supervision. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local association and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. A REALTOR® can be either a salesperson or a broker, since the designation refers to association membership rather than license type. Only NAR members may use the term "REALTOR®."

To become a real estate broker in West Virginia, you must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent and have held a salesperson license for a minimum of 2 years. You must complete 180 clock hours of broker pre-licensing education (or 90 hours if you already hold a WV salesperson license), pass a National Criminal Background Check, and document 20 closed transactions in the 2 years before applying or 40 over any period. The exam application requires Official Course Completion Certificates, a copy of your driver's license, an Affidavit of Broker's Recommendation, and a Closed Transactions Form. After passing both portions of the exam, you must submit an online license application with your pass certificates, a Subordination Resolution, and a Trust Fund Form or Waiver, and register with the WV Secretary of State's Office as a member or officer of your company.

No, a college degree is not required to become a real estate broker in West Virginia. Broker applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, have been licensed as a salesperson for a minimum of 2 years, and complete 180 clock-hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education. Those 180 clock-hours are equivalent to 12 college credit hours, but no college enrollment or degree is necessary.

Broker applicants must complete 180 clock-hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education, equivalent to 12 college credit hours. Those who already hold a West Virginia salesperson license need only 90 additional clock-hours of broker education. The 90-hour broker course consists of 30 hours of Brokerage Operation and Management, 25 hours of Human Resources Management and Interpersonal Skills, and 35 hours of West Virginia Specific Real Estate for Brokers. Broker pre-licensing courses must be completed within the 5-year period preceding the application date.

Broker applicants must complete 180 clock-hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education, or 90 clock-hours if they already hold a West Virginia salesperson license, scoring 70% or higher in each subject area. Pearson VUE provides a Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines as downloadable PDFs, and offers practice tests for $19.95 covering general real estate topics, though state-specific practice tests are not available. The broker exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 simulation problems.

Broker applicants in West Virginia must have held a salesperson license for a minimum of 2 years before applying. They must also complete 180 clock-hours of broker pre-licensing education (or 90 hours if they already hold a WV salesperson license), pass a National Criminal Background Check valid for 90 days, document 20 closed transactions in the 2 years prior to application (or 40 over any period), and pass both the national and state portions of the broker exam with a 75% scaled passing score. After passing, applicants have 90 days to submit the final license application, which includes a Subordination Resolution, Trust Fund Form or Waiver, and registration with the WV Secretary of State's Office.

Brokers and associate brokers must complete 7 hours of Commission-approved continuing education per fiscal year, with 3 of those hours from broker-level education curriculum approved by the commission. The remaining hours are elective. This broker-level requirement took effect beginning fiscal year 2024.

Yes, West Virginia law permits distance education courses to satisfy the continuing education requirement if the courses are approved in advance by the Real Estate Commission. The Commission's CE page confirms that online and on-demand CE courses are available from Commission-approved providers. All CE courses, whether in-person or online, must be offered by Commission-approved providers and taught by Commission-approved instructors. CE completions are tracked through the CE Broker system, and providers submit rosters daily.

West Virginia does not issue a separate license for commercial real estate brokers; the state's broker license covers all property types. To qualify, an applicant must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have been licensed as a salesperson for a minimum of 2 years. The applicant must complete 90 clock hours of broker pre-licensing education (if already holding a WV salesperson license) or 180 clock hours as a new applicant, and have 20 closed transactions in the 2 years before applying or 40 over any period. A National Criminal Background Check and passage of both portions of the broker licensing exam through Pearson VUE are also required.