How to Get a Real Estate License in West Virginia (2026): Cost & Steps

By StartBusinessByState · Fees and requirements checked October 10, 2026 Research process

WEST VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE LICENSE

To get a West Virginia real estate license you take 90 hours of approved courses, pass both parts of the Pearson VUE exam, pass a background check and apply to the Commission with a broker. The fees you pay the state and the exam company come to about $218: $118 for the exam, $25 for the application and $75 for the license. The courses and the background check cost extra. Here are the steps in order, with every fee.

Already passed? Go to activation and getting ready for clients.

What a West Virginia real estate license costs

Exam, two parts at $59: $118
Application: $25
License fee: $75
Required fees, total: $218.00

Fee	Amount	Who you pay and when
90 hours of prelicense courses	Set by the school	30 hours of principles, 20 hours of law, 20 hours of finance and 20 hours of appraisal.
Exam, two parts	$118	Pearson VUE. It is $59 for each of the national and West Virginia parts.
Background check	Set by the vendor	Required. You get fingerprinted through IdentoGO using service code 228Q6K. We couldn’t confirm the current price, so check when you book.
Application	$25	West Virginia Real Estate Commission, paid when you apply for the exam.
License fee	$75	West Virginia Real Estate Commission, paid after you pass. Apply within 90 days of passing.
Renewal, every year	$75	Due by June 30 each year, with 7 hours of continuing education.
Brokerage, Realtor association and MLS	Set by each office and association	Get every joining and monthly fee in writing before you sign.

We couldn’t confirm the price of the fingerprint background check, so budget for it separately.

Build your West Virginia startup budget

Sources: West Virginia Real Estate Commission: salesperson license (requirements and steps); West Virginia fee rule 174-2 ($25 application, $75 license); West Virginia Real Estate Commission: education (90 hours); Pearson VUE West Virginia real estate ($59 per exam part). Fees and rules checked October 10, 2026. Exam and background-check prices can change, so confirm the total when you book.

Who can get a West Virginia salesperson license

Most people call it a real estate agent license. In West Virginia it is a salesperson license, and it lets you work under a sponsoring broker. Opening your own brokerage is a separate broker license.

The West Virginia Real Estate Commission says you finish 90 hours of approved courses, pass both parts of the Pearson VUE exam, pass a background check and apply with a sponsoring broker.

Already licensed in another state? We couldn’t confirm a reciprocity route. Ask the Commission before you pay for a course.

The steps, in order

Take 90 hours of approved courses.
Apply to the Commission and pay $25. This lets you register for the exam.
Pass both Pearson VUE exam parts. Each costs $59.
Get ready for your West Virginia real estate exam with Colibri Real Estate’s practice tests, flashcards and readiness assessment. Compare exam-prep packages and focus your study time on the topics you need to review.
See West Virginia real estate exam prep
Optional exam preparation. We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link.
Complete the fingerprint background check and pay the $75 license fee. Book through IdentoGO with service code 228Q6K. Apply within 90 days of passing.
Join a sponsoring broker. You need one to be active.

Track your deadlines

West Virginia licenses renew every year by June 30, not every two years.

What West Virginia agents earn

Median pay, West Virginia agents on payroll: $59,050
Middle half earns: $40,590–$76,400
Top 10% earn over: $97,470
West Virginia agents on payroll: 370

The bottom 10% of West Virginia payroll agents earn under $32,180. The national median is $52,830. Plan around annual renewal rather than spreading that cost over a two-year cycle. Use an actual brokerage fee schedule to work out commission retained, with your own travel, insurance and prospecting expenses shown separately.

Source: U.S. Labor Department pay survey, May 2025, West Virginia real estate sales agents. Covers agents on a payroll only. Checked October 10, 2026.

Choose a sponsoring broker and plan for annual renewal

Use the 90-hour course and exam-approval period to meet sponsoring brokers. Ask for a clear process for reviewing your first contract and supporting a new salesperson during a client appointment.

Compare the complete compensation agreement, including fees for mentoring and office-supplied leads. Have the broker affiliation ready while completing fingerprints and the license application. West Virginia renews every year by June 30, so put the actual first renewal on the calendar rather than assuming a two-year starting term.

Set up your West Virginia agent business

Register the business and organize payments

Organize your entity and payment setup with the sponsoring broker before registration. The West Virginia LLC guide explains the LLC route; confirm that structure and commission-payee arrangement for your work, then use ZenBusiness if you want the filing handled for you.

Arrange errors and omissions (E&O) insurance

Arrange professional liability coverage alongside the sponsorship agreement. Compare E&O quotes from Simply Business with the office’s E&O policy, checking insured activities and the deductible on a covered claim. Keep the claim contact and policy record with the procedures for your first files.

Keep business records from day one

Save the Commission approval, exam reports and fingerprint receipt together. Set an annual June renewal reminder and identify whether the first-year education exemption described below applies to you; budget later education and office charges accordingly.

See West Virginia business registration and tax requirements for the wider registration and tax checklist.

Practice a complete follow-up, not just a property tour

Ask the sponsoring broker to help you prepare a showing and the conversation that follows it. Use a local listing and explain the documents or professional advice the buyer should obtain next. End with a specific action and date, then use the same routine to manage your early client relationships.

Resources for preparing client conversations

Renew every year by June 30

West Virginia salesperson licenses renew every year for $75, by June 30. Each license year needs 7 hours of continuing education. If you passed both exams in that fiscal year, your first renewal is exempt from the education.

West Virginia has no separate post-license course for new salespeople.

West Virginia agent questions

How much does it cost to get a West Virginia real estate license?

The fees you pay the state and the exam company come to about $218: $118 for the exam, $25 for the application and $75 for the license. The 90 hours of courses and the background check are extra.

How long is the West Virginia course?

90 hours: 30 of principles, 20 of law, 20 of finance and 20 of appraisal.

What is the West Virginia exam like?

Pearson VUE gives a national part and a West Virginia part, $59 each.

Can I work with clients as soon as I pass?

Not yet. You still need the background check, your application and a sponsoring broker.

How long does a West Virginia license last?

One year. Renew by June 30 for $75, with 7 hours of continuing education. Your first renewal is exempt if you passed both exams in that fiscal year.

Is there a post-license course in West Virginia?

No. West Virginia has no separate post-license course for new salespeople.

I’m licensed in another state. Do I retake the exam?

We couldn’t confirm a reciprocity route. Ask the Commission first.

Does this cover opening a brokerage?

No. This guide is for the entry-level salesperson license, working under a sponsoring broker. A broker license has its own requirements.

Your first move in West Virginia

Start the approved 90-hour course, apply for exam eligibility and compare sponsoring offices. After passing, complete fingerprints and the license application within the stated window, then add the June 30 renewal to your business calendar.

State resource: West Virginia licensing and education information.