West Virginia Real Estate License Overview
West Virginia offers a unique real estate market with affordable mountain properties, growing remote work opportunities, and outdoor recreation appeal. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC) oversees all real estate licensing in the state. West Virginia is one of the few states that offers online testing options through Pearson VUE's OnVUE platform.
West Virginia Real Estate Exam Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Administrator | Pearson VUE |
| Total Questions | 150 scored (plus 10 pre-test) |
| National Portion | 100 questions (150 minutes) |
| State Portion | 50 questions (60 minutes) |
| Time Limit | 210 minutes (3.5 hours) total |
| National Passing Score | 70% (70 correct) |
| State Passing Score | 75% (38 correct) |
| Exam Fee | $96 |
| Results | Immediate (pass/fail on screen) |
| Online Testing | Available via OnVUE (one attempt) |
Requirements Before Taking the Exam
Education Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years or older |
| Pre-License Education | 90 hours (WVREC-approved) |
| Course Format | Online or classroom |
| Course Validity | 5 years from completion |
| Course Exam Score | 70% or higher in each subject area |
| High School Diploma | Required (or equivalent) |
Pre-License Course Content (90 Hours)
The 90-hour requirement covers comprehensive real estate education:
- Real Estate Principles - Property rights, ownership, legal descriptions
- Real Estate Law - Contracts, agency, disclosure requirements
- Real Estate Finance - Mortgages, loan types, qualifying buyers
- Real Estate Practice - Listing, selling, closing procedures
- West Virginia License Law - State-specific regulations
- Ethics and Fair Housing - Professional standards, discrimination laws
- Property Valuation - Appraisal methods, CMAs
- Environmental Issues - Disclosures, hazards, regulations
Application Process
- Complete 90-hour pre-license education (score 70%+ in each subject)
- Submit online application through WVREC system ($25 processing fee)
- Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO (Service Code: 228Q6K, $45.75)
- Receive exam eligibility (valid 90 days or 2 attempts)
- Register with Pearson VUE and pay exam fee ($96)
- Schedule exam at testing center or online via OnVUE
- Pass both portions of the exam
- Submit license application
West Virginia Exam Format
The exam has different passing scores for each portion - 70% for national and 75% for state.
Content Breakdown
| Section | Scored Questions | Pre-test | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Portion | 100 | 5 | 150 minutes | 70 correct (70%) |
| State Portion | 50 | 5 | 60 minutes | 38 correct (75%) |
| Total | 150 | 10 | 210 minutes | See above |
National Portion Topics (100 Questions)
| Topic | Approximate % | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Property Ownership | 15% | Estates, ownership types, legal descriptions |
| Land Use Controls | 10% | Zoning, environmental, deed restrictions |
| Valuation | 15% | Appraisal methods, CMAs, market analysis |
| Financing | 18% | Mortgages, TILA, RESPA, loan types |
| Agency | 12% | Types, duties, disclosure requirements |
| Contracts | 15% | Elements, types, contingencies |
| Transfer of Title | 10% | Deeds, title insurance, closing |
| Practice | 5% | Ethics, fair housing, antitrust |
State Portion Topics (50 Questions)
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| WV License Law | WVREC rules, license types, requirements |
| Agency Relationships | WV disclosure requirements and forms |
| Trust Accounts | Escrow handling, record keeping |
| Property Disclosures | WV-specific disclosure requirements |
| Brokerage Relationships | Broker supervision, responsibilities |
| Commission Rules | WVREC administrative regulations |
West Virginia-Specific Topics
Agency Relationships
West Virginia requires disclosure of agency relationships:
- Seller's Agent - Represents seller exclusively
- Buyer's Agent - Represents buyer exclusively
- Dual Agent - Represents both with written consent
- Designated Agent - Appointed by broker for specific transaction
- Transaction Coordinator - No fiduciary relationship
WV Trust Account Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Deposit Deadline | As specified in contract |
| Account Type | Federally insured institution in WV |
| Commingling | Strictly prohibited |
| Record Retention | 3 years minimum |
| Account Designation | "Trust" or "Escrow" in account name |
West Virginia Property Disclosure
Key disclosures required in West Virginia:
- Residential Property Disclosure Statement
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 homes)
- Known material defects disclosure
- Environmental hazards (radon, asbestos, underground storage tanks)
- Flood zone status
- Well and septic information (if applicable)
Unique West Virginia Considerations
West Virginia real estate involves unique considerations:
- Mineral Rights - Often severed from surface rights
- Oil and Gas Leases - Common in eastern/central WV
- Timber Rights - Mountain property considerations
- Access Rights - Rural property easements
- Floodplain Properties - River valley considerations
West Virginia Exam Pass Rate
The West Virginia real estate exam has a first-time pass rate of approximately 55-65%. Key factors:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Different passing scores | 70% national, 75% state |
| State-specific content | Unique WV regulations |
| Mineral/oil rights topics | Specialized knowledge required |
| Math requirements | Commission and proration calculations |
Study Strategy
Recommended Study Time
| Approach | Hours | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive | 40-50 | 2-3 weeks |
| Standard | 50-70 | 3-4 weeks |
| Part-time | 70-90 | 5-6 weeks |
After completing the 90-hour pre-license course.
Study Priority by Weight
-
National Portion (100 questions, 70% to pass)
- Focus on financing (18% of exam)
- Master valuation and contracts (15% each)
- Understand agency relationships
-
State Portion (50 questions, 75% to pass)
- WV license law is critical
- Agency disclosure requirements
- Property disclosure rules
- Trust account regulations
Key Math Formulas
Commission Calculations:
Prorations:
Loan Calculations:
Property Tax:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not Meeting the Higher State Passing Score
The state portion requires 75% (vs 70% for national):
- Focus extra study time on WV-specific content
- Take multiple practice tests on state material
- Know WVREC rules thoroughly
2. Overlooking Mineral Rights Topics
West Virginia exams often include questions about:
- Severed mineral estates
- Oil and gas lease implications
- Surface vs. subsurface rights
- Disclosure requirements for mineral interests
3. Insufficient Math Practice
Math questions are heavily tested. Practice daily:
- Commission calculations
- Prorations (taxes, rent, interest)
- Loan qualifying ratios
- Area calculations
4. Poor Time Management
- National: 100 questions in 150 minutes = 1.5 minutes per question
- State: 50 questions in 60 minutes = 1.2 minutes per question
- Don't spend too long on difficult questions
- Flag and return later
Exam Day Tips
Before the Exam
- Get good rest the night before
- Eat a balanced meal
- Arrive 30 minutes early (for in-person)
- Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)
Testing Options
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| In-Person | Any Pearson VUE testing center |
| Online (OnVUE) | From home/office, one-time option only |
| Exam Validity | 90 days or 2 attempts from authorization |
During the Exam
- Read every question completely
- Watch for "EXCEPT" and "NOT" questions
- Use scratch paper for calculations
- Trust your first instinct
- Use all available time to review
What to Bring (In-Person)
- Two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Confirmation of exam appointment
- Nothing else - personal items stored in locker
After Passing
Immediate Steps
- Receive results on screen at testing center
- Submit license application to WVREC
- Pay license fees ($100 initial license fee)
- Associate with a broker (required to practice)
- Complete any pending background check items
License Types
| License Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Salesperson | 90 hours education, pass exam |
| Associate Broker | 180 hours (90 additional) + 2 years experience |
| Broker | 180 hours + 2 years as associate broker |
Continuing Education Requirements
| Renewal | CE Required |
|---|---|
| Renewal Cycle | Every year (July 1 - June 30) |
| Total Hours | 7 hours per year |
| Salesperson/Associate Broker | 4 elective + 3 mandatory broker-level |
| Broker | 7 elective hours |
| Course Repetition | Cannot repeat same course 2 consecutive years |
License Renewal
| Renewal Type | Deadline/Requirements |
|---|---|
| Regular renewal | May 1 - June 30 |
| Late renewal | July 1 - December 31 (with late fees) |
| Canceled license | After December 31 - must reapply from scratch |
| First-year exemption | Exempt if passed exam in same fiscal year |
West Virginia Real Estate Career Outlook
Salary Expectations
| Experience | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| First year | $25,000-$40,000 |
| 2-5 years | $40,000-$60,000 |
| 5+ years | $60,000-$90,000+ |
| Top producers | $100,000+ |
Key West Virginia Markets (2026)
- Charleston - State capital, largest metro, government employment
- Morgantown - WVU college town, young professionals
- Huntington - Marshall University, healthcare hub
- Martinsburg - Eastern Panhandle, DC commuter market
- Wheeling - Historic architecture, revitalization projects
- Beckley - Southern coalfields, outdoor recreation growth
West Virginia Real Estate Advantages
- Affordable properties - Lower median prices than neighboring states
- Remote work appeal - Growing interest from coastal city workers
- Outdoor recreation - Mountain properties, state parks
- No inventory tax - Business-friendly environment
- Unique niches - Mineral rights, timber, recreational land
Resources
- WVREC Official Website - Licensing information
- Pearson VUE - Exam scheduling
- WV REALTORS - Industry association
- IdentoGO - Fingerprinting services
- OpenExamPrep - Free study materials and practice tests