West Virginia real estate school: 90-hour pre-licensing course

The West Virginia real estate pre-licensing course is a mandatory 90-hour education requirement that every salesperson applicant must complete at a Commission-approved real estate school before sitting for the state licensing exam. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WV REC) dictates the curriculum structure, sets the course final exam passing threshold, and maintains the official list of approved providers, so whether you pursue schooling for real estate through an online real estate course or an in-class program, the syllabus follows the same four-subject framework.

What the West Virginia 90-hour pre-licensing course covers

The WV REC requires 90 clock-hours of education — the equivalent of 6 college credit hours — from a Commission-approved provider before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination. All course providers must follow the Salesperson pre-licensing course outline adopted by the Commission, which ensures uniform content across every approved school. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70% in every subject area to earn a certificate of completion and qualify for the state licensing exam. (WV REC — Pre-Licensing Education^[1])

Breakdown of the four required subject areas

The 90-hour curriculum divides into four subject areas, each addressing a distinct domain of real estate knowledge. The Commission's adopted course outline specifies the detailed topics within each module, and every approved provider must cover the same material regardless of delivery format. (WV REC — Pre-Licensing Education^[1])

The 30-hour Real Estate Principles and Practice module is the largest component and covers the foundational concepts of real estate practice. Fair housing law is a mandatory topic within this module — the Fair Housing Act^[2] prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

The 20-hour Real Estate Law module covers the legal frameworks governing real estate in West Virginia, including the state's license law and real property statutes. The Real Estate Finance module (20 hours) addresses the financial mechanics of transactions, including mortgage types and lending processes. The Real Estate Appraisal module (20 hours) covers property valuation principles and methods.

Commission-approved providers and delivery formats

The Commission publishes its roster of approved pre-licensing providers, grouped by delivery method. As of the list updated in February 2022, 11 unique providers hold approval, with some appearing in multiple format categories. The WV REC charges providers $75 for initial provider approval and $50 for annual renewal, and charges $150 for initial course approval and $100 for annual course renewal. (WV REC — Approved Pre-License Providers^[3]) (WV REC — Schedule of Fees^[4])

The WV REC provider list directs applicants to contact providers directly for course schedules. (WV REC — Approved Pre-License Providers^[3])

Online pre-licensing courses

Three providers are approved by the WV REC to deliver the entire 90-hour pre-licensing course online: Cooke Real Estate School (#57-SP), The CE Shop LLC (#70-SP), and Spruce School of Real Estate (#32-SP). (WV REC — Approved Pre-License Providers^[3])

For students who want to take a real estate course online, all three approved providers offer self-paced coursework. Providers enforce seat-time tracking to verify that students spend the required hours engaged with course material. Course access windows vary by provider, typically ranging from 6 months to 1 year, with extension options available at some schools. The self-paced format offers the most flexibility for working professionals who need to fit real estate classes around a full-time job.

In-class and hybrid course options

In-class providers offer scheduled, instructor-led courses at physical locations across West Virginia. Community college programs typically run on set cohort schedules spanning 10 to 15 weeks, with evening classes several times per week. These programs provide face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates, which some students prefer for asking questions and working through complex topics.

Hybrid providers combine online coursework with in-person sessions. Blue Ridge CTC (#66-SP) and Realty One Inc. (#59-SP) are approved in the hybrid format, offering a middle ground between fully online and fully in-class instruction. Students who want structure but need some scheduling flexibility may find hybrid courses a practical fit. If you are searching for classes for real estate near me, the in-class and hybrid providers in the table above serve various regions of the state.

School final exam and passing requirements

To earn a certificate of completion, you must achieve a minimum score of 70% in each of the four subject areas on the course final exam. The certificate must display your scores and is separate from the student affidavit. The WV REC requires the official Course Completion Certificate when you submit your exam application. (WV REC — Pre-Licensing Education^[1]) (WV REC — Salesperson Licensing^[5])

The WV REC does not regulate the number of retake attempts on the school final exam. Retake policies are set by individual providers; some schools limit students to 2 attempts, while others allow unlimited retakes. If you are considering a real estate exam prep course alongside your pre-licensing studies, check whether your provider includes review sessions or practice exams as part of the package.

After passing the course final, you submit your certificate with an exam application to the WV REC. Once approved, Pearson VUE emails you to schedule the state licensing exam. (WV REC — Salesperson Licensing^[5])

Course completion certificate validity

Your pre-licensing course completion certificate is valid for 3 years preceding the date of your license application. If you completed the course before June 9, 2023, the certificate remains valid for 5 years. After the validity period expires, you must retake the entire 90-hour course to qualify for the licensing exam. (WV REC — Pre-Licensing Education^[1])

The 3-year window replaced the previous 5-year rule effective June 9, 2023. Applicants who finished their coursework before that date remain under the longer 5-year period.

Choosing the right pre-licensing course

The right course depends on your schedule, learning style, and budget. Online realty classes offer maximum flexibility for working professionals, while in-class and hybrid formats provide structured schedules and face-to-face instructor interaction. Community college programs run on set cohort schedules, while online courses let you move at your own pace.

When evaluating providers, consider the course access window, instructor support availability, retake policy, and whether the school includes a real estate license prep course or review materials. Some providers include post-course review hours or practice exams that can help bridge the gap between course completion and the state licensing exam.

Your next step after completing the pre-licensing course is to submit an exam application to the WV REC with your course completion certificate, complete a national criminal background check, and schedule your licensing exam through Pearson VUE. The exam application fee paid to the Commission is $25, and the full licensing process, from exam registration through license activation, is covered in the companion guide on getting a West Virginia real estate license.