West Virginia real estate license renewal and CE requirements

West Virginia real estate licenses expire every year on June 30, and every active licensee must complete 7 hours of Commission-approved continuing education (CE) before renewing. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission opens the online renewal portal on May 1, and the on-time window closes June 30. Licensees who miss the deadline face escalating late fees through December 31, after which the license is cancelled and a new application is required.

WV real estate license renewal cycle, deadlines, and fees

All West Virginia real estate licenses expire on June 30 each year, regardless of when the license was first issued. Under W. Va. Code R. § 174-2-2^[1], the on-time renewal window runs May 1 through June 30. The WV Real Estate Commission's continuing education page^[2] confirms that renewal is required each year or the license will be cancelled.

The WV REC Schedule of Fees^[3] sets the annual renewal fee at $75 for salespersons and $150 for brokers, associate brokers, and branch offices. Licensees who submit paper renewal instead of using the online system incur a $35 processing fee in addition to all other renewal fees.

The renewal cycle follows the state fiscal year of July 1 through June 30. CE courses must be completed during the fiscal year preceding the renewal period. A licensee renewing by June 30, 2026 must earn the required CE between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

The online renewal process

The online portal requires a licensee's license number and the last four digits of their Social Security number to log in. Payment can be made by credit card through the portal. The Commission encourages online renewal to avoid the paper processing surcharge.

Late renewal penalties and license cancellation

Licenses not renewed by the deadline enter a late renewal period with escalating surcharges added to the required renewal fee. Under W. Va. Code R. § 174-2-2^[1], effective January 1, 2023, the late fee structure is:

Licenses not renewed on or before December 31 cannot be renewed and are cancelled, according to W. Va. Code R. § 174-2-2^[1]. The individual must apply for a new license to resume practicing real estate in West Virginia.

Continuing education hours required for WV license renewal

Under WV Code § 30-40-16^[4], each active licensee must complete approved continuing education during the state fiscal year preceding renewal. The Commission must approve all courses, providers, and instructors in advance before they can be advertised or offered.

West Virginia does not mandate specific named CE subjects for salesperson renewal. All hours may be elective, chosen from any Commission-approved course. No statute or rule requires particular subjects such as ethics, fair housing, or agency for salesperson CE. The Commission's course approval process governs which topics qualify.

The Commission also recognizes real estate-related CE courses approved by other state agencies, including the real estate appraiser board and the WV State Bar, per WV Code § 30-40-16^[4].

Broker and associate broker CE requirements

Brokers and associate brokers must include advanced coursework approved by the Commission as part of their annual CE, under WV Code § 30-40-16^[4]. This mandate took effect in the 2024 cycle, per the WV Real Estate Commission^[2].

The broker-level curriculum is defined by the Commission's course approval process, not by a fixed list of named subjects in the statute or rule.

Taking WV continuing education courses online

West Virginia allows licensees to take CE courses through distance education, provided the Commission approves the courses in advance, under WV Code § 30-40-16^[4]. Licensees may satisfy the full CE requirement through distance education courses.

On-demand and self-paced formats are available from approved providers, giving licensees flexibility to fit CE around their work schedules.

Only courses from providers and instructors the Commission has approved count toward the CE requirement. The Commission's website includes a searchable list of approved providers.

CE Broker: tracking your continuing education credits

Licensees can view their completed courses and renewal eligibility through CE Broker^[5].

Licensees who are up to date when selected for audit pass automatically. Completed courses typically appear in a licensee's account within a day or two after the provider submits the roster. Upgraded accounts with personalized CE transcripts are available for a fee.

CE exemptions and inactive license status

Three categories of licensees are exempt from the annual CE requirement in West Virginia, per the WV Real Estate Commission^[2]. A licensee who held a license on July 1, 1969 and has renewed continuously is exempt. A licensee on inactive status is exempt from CE while inactive. A licensee who passed both the national and state licensing exams during the fiscal year of their first required renewal is exempt from CE for that first renewal, provided they renew on or before June 30 of that fiscal year.

Placing a license on inactive status pauses the CE obligation but does not eliminate the renewal fee. Inactive licensees must still pay the annual renewal fee to maintain the license. To reactivate, a licensee must complete the standard CE requirement and submit a Change of Broker/License Status Update form. If returning to the same broker, the broker submits the form with CE proof. If joining a new brokerage, the licensee submits the form with CE proof and a $20 change of employing broker fee, per the WV REC Schedule of Fees^[3].

Non-resident licensee CE compliance

Non-resident licensees must meet the same CE requirement as resident licensees. However, if the licensee's home jurisdiction has a comparable CE requirement and recognizes West Virginia CE credits, the Commission will accept CE earned in the other jurisdiction, per the WV Real Estate Commission^[2].

Staying compliant year after year

Set a reminder for early May to log into the renewal portal and confirm your CE is complete. Check your compliance status in CE Broker after each course to ensure credits are recorded before the renewal deadline. If you need to place your license on inactive status, remember that the renewal fee is still due and CE must be completed before reactivating.

Brokers and associate brokers should verify that their broker-level hours are categorized correctly in CE Broker. Completing courses early in the fiscal year gives providers time to submit rosters and avoids last-minute shortages near the deadline.