Getting a West Virginia Real Estate License

Two separate 90-day windows to track: once WVREC approves your exam application, you have 90 days to schedule and sit for the exam. Then, after you pass, you have another 90 days to submit your license activation form, original exam report, and $75 fee. Miss either window and you'll need to restart that step.

Before your exam, not after — this is the opposite order from several neighboring states. Your national criminal history check is only valid for 90 days, so schedule it once you're close to submitting your exam application, not right when you start your coursework.

Not a blanket reciprocity agreement — if you're licensed in another state, you'll follow the same process as a new applicant, but submit a Certificate of Licensure from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a license, alongside your standard application materials.

This is a genuine West Virginia quirk: you need two recommendations from property owners who aren't affiliated with you as an employer, partner, or associate, and aren't connected to your sponsoring broker. They're vouching for your honesty, trustworthiness, and competence — start lining these up early since they're easy to overlook until application time.

Yes — your application must be signed by a broker who holds an active West Virginia broker license. Once WVREC issues your license, they send it directly to your employing broker rather than to you.

70% on each of the two sections: the 80-question national portion and the 40-question West Virginia-specific portion, for 120 questions total across about 4 hours.

Most people spend $450–$700 total, covering the 90-hour pre-license course, a $96 exam fee, the $75 license fee, and background check costs. You'll also need Errors & Omissions insurance, available through WVREC's group policy or an approved provider.