West Virginia licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in West Virginia
A practical step-by-step guide to West Virginia licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
West Virginia licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 29, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 90 hours
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Estimated cost
- $500–$900
- Estimated timeline
- 2–4 months
- Renewal cycle
- Annual
All West Virginia licensees must complete **7 hours of continuing education every fiscal year** to maintain active status. Beginning in fiscal year 2024, brokers and associate brokers must include **3 hours of broker‑level coursework** within those 7 hours. CE must be completed before the preceding license renewal.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet eligibility requirements
Be at least 18 years old and hold a high‑school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 90‑hour pre‑licensing education
Finish 30 hours Real Estate Principles & Practice, 20 hours Real Estate Law, 20 hours Real Estate Finance and 20 hours Real Estate Appraisal with a Commission‑approved provider.
Submit application and fee
Send the salesperson application to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission with the **$25 exam application fee** and required documents. Once reviewed, the Commission authorizes you to schedule the exam.
Schedule and pass the Pearson VUE exam
After authorization, register for the national and state exams through Pearson VUE. Pay the **$59 fee per exam** and pass both portions within your 90‑day eligibility window.
Apply for license and pay fee
Within 90 days of passing the exams, submit your license application, pay the **$75 license fee** and affiliate with a broker.
Complete annual continuing education and renew
Each fiscal year, complete **7 hours of CE** (brokers and associate brokers must include 3 hours of broker‑specific CE) and renew your license. Renewal fees are $75 for salespersons and $150 for brokers.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $500–$900. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing courses | $300–$500 | Combined tuition for the required 90‑hour curriculum. |
| Exam application fee | $25 | Fee submitted with the initial application to the Commission. |
| Exam fee | $59 per exam | Pearson VUE fee for each portion of the salesperson exam. |
| License fee | $75 | Salesperson license fee due after passing the exam. |
| Continuing education | $50–$100 | Cost for a 7‑hour CE package each year. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
How long is authorization to take the exam valid?
After your application is approved, you have **90 days or two attempts** to take and pass both portions of the exam through Pearson VUE.
What continuing education is required?
All licensees must complete **7 hours of continuing education every fiscal year**. Brokers and associate brokers must include 3 hours of broker‑level coursework in that total.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.