Earning and keeping a West Virginia real estate license requires both preliminary and continuing education. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission (REC) sets the curriculum standards for the state and approves training providers for use.
Sadly, Agent Campus by 360training doesn't offer West Virginia real estate courses at this time. You'll need to visit the West Virginia REC site to find a list of eligible schools.
Even though we don't offer West Virginia courses, we understand how confusing it can be to decipher licensing requirements. Below, we'll review the licensing process in West Virginia: the required training, exams, deadlines, and more. We'll also explain how to renew a license and the continuing education you'll need to do so.
What Are West Virginia's Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education Requirements?
West Virginia REC requires 90 hours of pre-licensing coursework from an approved provider. The course should include:
- 30 hours of Real Estate Principles and Practice
- 20 hours of Real Estate Law
- 20 hours of Real Estate Finance
- 20 hours of Real Estate Appraisal
Who is Eligible to Become a Real Estate Agent in West Virginia?
To get your West Virginia real estate license, you need to be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
What Else Do I Need to Do to Earn My West Virginia Real Estate License?
After passing the required pre-license course with a REC-approved course provider, you have to:
- Get fingerprinted for a background check
- Get 2 character recommendations from qualified property owners
- Find a sponsoring broker
- Submit a notarized application
What is the West Virginia Real Estate Licensing Exam Like?
You need to apply to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission to determine your eligibility to take the exam. From the day you get your notice of exam eligibility, you have 90 days to pass the exam.
The exam is administered by PSI, a third-party testing company. You'll answer 100 national topic questions in 11 major content areas within a 2.5-hour time limit and 50 state-specific questions within 1 hour.
You'll get pass/fail results before you leave. If you only pass one portion, you only need to retake the portion you failed, but you need to pass it within your original 90-day exam eligibility period. After two failed attempts (partial or complete), you need to reapply for exam eligibility and take the entire test again.
What is the Deadline for my West Virginia Real Estate License Application?
You need to submit your application within 5 years of finishing your pre-license course and 90 days of passing both portions of the exam.
How Often Does a West Virginia Real Estate License Have to Be Renewed?
West Virginia real estate licenses need to be renewed every year by June 30th. You can renew online as early as May 1st.
It's important to renew on time or early if you want to practice without interruption. You'll incur a late renewal fee between July 1st and September 30th. After October 1st, you'll require reinstatement.
What Are West Virginia's Continuing Education Requirements for Real Estate?
West Virginia REC requires you to complete 7 Continuing Education hours from an approved provider each year by your renewal deadline.
There are no required CE courses in West Virginia – as long as the course is Commission-approved, it will count towards your renewal.
What Kind of Jobs Can I Get with a West Virginia Real Estate License?
- Residential real estate agent
- Commercial real estate agent
- Real estate broker
- Property manager
Additionally, there are countless specialties and niches you can fit in, based on the type of real estate, the type of client, and the part you play. Some niches are more well-paid than others – those often call for extra certifications or licenses.
To get an idea of your potential earnings in West Virginia, you can look at the median wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Job Title | Average Hourly Wage | Average Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
Sales Agents | $22.40 | $46,580 |
Property Managers | $22.67 | $47,140 |
As a real estate agent, your salary is typically based on commission, so actual earnings will depend on how well you can sell. As a result, some real estate professionals make far less, while others make much more. In West Virginia, the top 90th percentile of sales agents make $102,100.