How to Get a West Virginia Real Estate License

It takes some effort between “I want to become a real estate agent in West Virginia” and actually doing it.

The steps involved can seem overwhelming at times, especially if you’re doing it on your own and don’t have the #1 West Virginia real estate school looking after you. We are the number one school for providing students with the tools and knowledge they need to pass the exam, and our results demonstrate this.

At Spruce, we take our business home with us and treat you the same way we would want to be treated if we were students. Our staff is on hand to answer questions and to help walk you through any content you are having trouble with.

You won’t find this type of care and expertise from any other West Virginia real estate school except Spruce School of Real Estate®.

Real estate agent vs. Realtor: what’s the difference in WV?

Before we get into the steps, one thing worth clearing up: in West Virginia, becoming a “real estate agent” and becoming a “Realtor” aren’t the same thing. Every Realtor is a licensed real estate agent, but not every real estate agent is a Realtor.

A real estate agent is anyone who’s passed the WV state exam and holds an active salesperson license through the West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC). That’s a state-issued license to legally practice real estate in WV.

A Realtor is a licensed agent who has also joined the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and pledged to follow their Code of Ethics. NAR is national, but you don’t join it directly — membership works through a three-tier federation: you join one of West Virginia’s local Realtor boards (like the Kanawha Valley Board of Realtors, Huntington Board of Realtors, or one of about a dozen others across the state), which automatically enrolls you in the West Virginia Association of Realtors AND NAR at the national level. One membership, three tiers, one combined dues payment.

So when people ask “how do I become a Realtor in WV?” — the answer starts the same as “how do I get my WV real estate license?” The steps below get you the license first. Joining a local board to use the Realtor® title is an optional next step after you’re licensed. For a deeper look at the distinction, we’ve broken down the difference between Realtors and real estate agents in a separate post.

What are the requirements to get a WV real estate license?

Before you enroll, the West Virginia Real Estate Commission requires that you:

• Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be considered trustworthy, of good moral character, and competent to transact business
• Pass both a state and national criminal background check

If that describes you, you’re ready to start the process of becoming a licensed real estate agent in West Virginia. Most students take the 90 hours online at their own pace, but if you learn better in a classroom, we also run in-person classes in Morgantown.

How long is the WV real estate pre-licensing course?

West Virginia requires every salesperson applicant to complete a WVREC-approved 90-hour pre-licensing course before applying to sit for the state exam. This is where our online classes come in — self-paced, built specifically around West Virginia’s requirements, with real instructor support when you get stuck. When you finish, you’ll receive an Official Course Completion Certificate, which you’ll need for the next step.

How do I complete the background check for my WV real estate license?

All applicants must pass a state and national criminal background check through Identogo before registering for the exam. We’ve broken down exactly how to schedule and complete your background check — including the service code you’ll need. One thing to know upfront: your background check results expire 90 days after the report date, so timing this close to your exam application matters.

How do I apply for the WV real estate exam?

Once you have your course certificate and background check complete, submit your exam application online — the WVREC no longer accepts paper applications. You’ll need to include:

• Your Official Course Completion Certificate
• A copy of your valid driver’s license

The Licensing Department reviews every application and emails you directly to confirm approval or flag anything missing.

How do I schedule my WV real estate exam with Pearson VUE?

Once approved, Pearson VUE (the third-party testing vendor) will email you to schedule your exam date. If you don’t hear from them within 72 hours of approval, contact the WVREC’s licensing department directly. Heads up: you have 90 days or two attempts — whichever comes first — before you’d need to resubmit your application to sit for the exam again.

Brushing up beforehand helps — check out our exam day study tips before test day, and for the WV-specific state portion, our WV Real Estate Law Code Bible breaks the actual state law code down in plain English so you’re not memorizing legal language cold.

Do I need a sponsoring broker to get my WV real estate license?

Yes — you’ll need a sponsoring broker to activate your license, and it’s smart to start this search while you’re still in class rather than waiting until after your exam. We’ve put together a full guide on how to choose a broker for sponsorship in West Virginia — including what questions to ask about fees, office time requirements, and training. You can also browse WV brokerages actively looking for new agents in our free directory.

How long do I have to activate my WV real estate license?

After passing both portions of your exam, you have 90 days to submit your final application — along with proof of passing and your Verification of Sponsoring Broker — to activate your license. Each pass certificate is valid for 90 days, so don’t let this step slip.

How much does a WV real estate license cost?

Between the application, exam, and activation, plan for these WVREC and Pearson VUE fees:

• $25 state application fee (paid to WVREC)
• $59 per exam section through Pearson VUE — $118 total for both the National and State portions
• $75 license activation fee once you pass (paid to WVREC)

Total fees to get licensed run about $218, not including the pre-licensing course itself. We’ve laid out the complete current WV real estate license fee schedule, including renewal costs and what changed recently.