West Virginia Real Estate License Requirements

To sell or lease real estate in West Virginia and earn a commission, you must have a West Virginia Real Estate License.

The steps to obtain a WV Real Estate License:


Step #1: Complete the 90-hour West Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Pre-license Course.

Step #2: Submit a criminal background check.

Step #3: Apply for your WV real estate salesperson license.

Step #4: Schedule your WV state license exam.

Step #5: Take and pass the state exam.

Step #6: Submit your passing exam score.

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General Requirements

How to Get a Real Estate Salesperson’s License in West Virginia

In West Virginia, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent before you can attain a real estate salesperson license. If you meet this qualification, you can earn your license by completing (6) steps.

Step 1: Take a 90-hour pre-licensing course

All new West Virginia salespersons must take a 90-hour pre-licensing course to prepare them for the business of real estate. Take the course from a state-approved education provider.

During this course, you'll learn about essential real estate topics like property valuation, financing, and general practice. The course will also teach you specifics about West Virginia real estate laws and regulations.

After passing the final test, you will receive a Certificate of Course Completion essential for the application process. Your pre-license education is good for five years.

Step 2: Submit a criminal background check

Before your license application can be approved, you must submit to a state and federal criminal background check. Your background check results are good for 90 days, so time your background check with your application submission.

Schedule an appointment by visiting https://uenroll.identogo.com/. Bring this form with you to the background check and provide the service code 228Q6K. The fee is $45.75 paid at the time of the appointment.

Step 3: Apply for a West Virginia salesperson license

The West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WBREC) gives you the option of completing an online application or a paper application for your salesperson license. An online application is the fastest and easiest way to work through the application process.

Your salesperson license application will include:

  • The signature of your employing broker with an active West Virginia license
  • Two character recommendations from property owners not related to you and have known you for at least two years
  • The notarization of all signatures

The salesperson application fee is $25.

Step 4: Schedule the real estate exam

The WVREC uses PSI to administer the state licensing exam. The WVREC must approve you before you can schedule your exam. PSI will contact you via email with your testing approval. Once you’ve been approved, you have 90 days to schedule the exam.

You’ll need your social security number to schedule the exam. Find the testing

schedule on the PSI website or the state Candidate Handbook.

The West Virginia Salesperson Exam costs $96 and is payable directly to PSI. The company accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover), cashier’s check, or money orders. All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

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Online registration is the easiest and fastest way to set up your state licensing exam. You can also call 855-340-3903 for registration assistance.

PSI operates testing centers in Beckley, Bridgeport, Dunbar, Fairmont, and Huntington. There are also test centers in Cambridge, OH, Hagerstown, MD, and Pittsburgh, PA. You can see the testing location addresses and schedules online or in the Candidate Handbook.

Step 5: Pass the real estate exam

On exam day, arrive on time. Anyone arriving 15 minutes after scheduled testing time will not be admitted. Bring two forms of unexpired identification. One is required to be a government-issued ID with your signature and photograph.

The West Virginia state exam has a national portion and a state portion. About the salesperson real estate exam:

  1. The national section is allocated 2.5 hours to answer 100 questions. Passing is 70 correct answers.
  2. The state section is allocated 1 hour to answer 50 questions. Passing is 38 correct answers.
  3. There may be five to ten "pretested" questions that will not count towards your score. These questions are not identified.
  4. The exam questions are multiple-choice.

PSI publishes the specific number of questions for each topic area in the Candidate Handbook.

Immediately upon exam completion, report to the testing supervisor. They will provide you with a score report marked “pass” or “fail.”

 

If you fail, your score report will have diagnostic information. You can retake the failed portion(s) one more time within your three-month eligibility window. If you do not pass on the retake, you’ll need to reapply with the West Virginia Real Estate Commission again.

Step 6: Submit your passing exam result

Passing candidates finish their West Virginia real estate application by submitting the license activation form found on page 13 of the Candidate Information Handbook and paying the $75 license fee. You'll need to include your original exam report with the form. The activation form and the licensing fee must be received within three months of passing the exam.

The WVREC will send your license to your employing broker. Once they receive it, you’ll be a licensed real estate salesperson. Congratulations!

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