Key Takeaways
- West Virginia real estate licenses must be renewed annually by June 30
- All licensees must complete 7 hours of continuing education (CE) per fiscal year
- Brokers must include 3 mandatory hours from the broker-level curriculum within their 7 hours
- Licenses not renewed by December 31 are canceled and require reapplication from scratch
- The same CE course cannot be repeated for two consecutive renewal periods
License Maintenance and Renewal
West Virginia real estate licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely annual renewal.
License Terms and Renewal
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| License term | 1 year (fiscal year) |
| Renewal period | May 1 - June 30 |
| Renewal deadline | June 30 annually |
| Late fee deadline | December 31 |
| Cancellation | After December 31 if not renewed |
Continuing Education Requirements
All Licensees (7 hours per year)
| License Type | CE Requirements |
|---|---|
| Salesperson | 7 hours of elective courses |
| Associate Broker | 7 hours (4 elective + 3 broker mandatory) |
| Broker | 7 hours (4 elective + 3 broker mandatory) |
Note: One hour equals 50 minutes of instruction.
Broker-Level Mandatory Courses
Brokers and associate brokers must include 3 hours from the broker-level curriculum in their CE requirements. These cover:
- Brokerage management
- Supervision responsibilities
- Trust account management
- Regulatory compliance
CE Restrictions
| Restriction | Details |
|---|---|
| Course repeat rule | Cannot repeat same course for 2 consecutive years |
| Carry-forward | Excess hours do NOT carry forward to next year |
| Final exam | Must pass with 70% minimum (2 attempts allowed) |
| Failed exam | Must repurchase and retake entire course |
Renewal Process
- Complete 7 hours CE before June 30
- Log into WVREC Online License Renewal System
- Submit renewal application
- Pay renewal fee
- Receive renewed license
Important: Renewal must be completed between May 1 and June 30 each year.
Late Renewal and Expired Licenses
Late Renewal (July 1 - December 31)
If your license expires but you renew before December 31:
| Time After June 30 | Requirements |
|---|---|
| July 1 - December 31 | Pay renewal + late fees |
| Late fees increase | The longer you wait |
Warning: You cannot practice while your license is expired.
Canceled Licenses (After December 31)
If your license is not renewed by December 31:
- License is canceled
- Must reapply from scratch
- May need to retake the licensing exam
- Must complete current education requirements
License Status Types
| Status | Meaning | Can Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current, affiliated with broker | Yes |
| Inactive | Voluntarily inactive | No |
| Expired | Not renewed by June 30 | No |
| Canceled | Not renewed by December 31 | No |
| Suspended | WVREC disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | License permanently cancelled | No |
Inactive Status
A license may be placed on inactive status:
- At licensee's request
- If not affiliated with a broker
- CE requirement is waived while inactive
To reactivate, the licensee must affiliate with a broker and may need to complete outstanding CE requirements.
Non-Resident Licensees
Non-resident licensees must comply with CE requirements. However:
| Condition | Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Home state has comparable CE | WVREC may accept home state CE |
| Home state recognizes WV CE | Reciprocal acceptance |
Address and Status Changes
Licensees must notify WVREC of:
- Change of business address
- Change of mailing address
- Change of legal name
- Change of sponsoring broker (salespersons)
Changes are made through the WVREC online portal.
First-Year Licensee Exemption
A licensee who passed both the national and state exams during the fiscal year of their first required renewal is exempt from CE for that year if they renew on or before June 30.
How many hours of continuing education are required annually for a West Virginia real estate salesperson?
What happens if a West Virginia real estate license is not renewed by December 31?
When is the renewal deadline for West Virginia real estate licenses?