Key Takeaways
- West Virginia requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education for a Property & Casualty license
- The exam consists of 150 scored questions plus pretest questions with a 2.5-hour time limit
- A passing score of 70% or higher is required on both national and state sections
- PSI/Pearson VUE administers all West Virginia insurance licensing examinations
- Candidates must complete a background check and fingerprinting before licensure
West Virginia Property & Casualty Exam Overview
Welcome to OpenExamPrep's FREE West Virginia Property & Casualty Insurance exam prep guide. This comprehensive resource covers West Virginia-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and state insurance laws you need to know to pass your exam and begin your career as a licensed P&C producer in the Mountain State.
About the West Virginia P&C Exam
The West Virginia Property & Casualty insurance examination is administered by PSI Services and Pearson VUE on behalf of the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). The exam tests your knowledge of:
- West Virginia insurance law and regulations
- Property insurance principles and coverages
- Casualty insurance including auto and liability
- Policy provisions and endorsements
- Ethics and professional conduct
- Claims handling and consumer protection
- Mine subsidence and flood considerations unique to West Virginia
Exam Structure
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Testing Provider | PSI Services / Pearson VUE |
| Total Questions | 150 scored + pretest (unscored) |
| Time Limit | 2.5 hours (150 minutes) |
| Section Breakdown | National concepts + West Virginia State Law |
| Passing Score | 70% or higher on each section |
| Question Format | Multiple choice |
Important: West Virginia requires you to pass both the National and State Law portions of the exam. Pretest questions do not count toward your score but are used for future exam development.
Pre-Licensing Education Requirements
Before scheduling your West Virginia P&C exam, you must complete:
Required Education
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 40 hours |
| Property Content | Homeowners, commercial, fire, inland marine |
| Casualty Content | Auto, liability, workers' compensation |
| Provider | West Virginia OIC-approved provider |
| Certificate | Completion certificate required for exam registration |
| Validity | Certificate typically valid for 12 months |
Education Topics Covered
-
Property Insurance (approximately 20 hours)
- Homeowners insurance forms (HO-2, HO-3, HO-5)
- Dwelling policies
- Commercial property coverage
- Inland marine insurance
- Fire and allied lines
- Mine subsidence coverage
-
Casualty Insurance (approximately 20 hours)
- Auto insurance fundamentals
- West Virginia mandatory coverages
- General liability
- Workers' compensation
- Professional liability
- Umbrella and excess policies
-
West Virginia Insurance Law (integrated throughout)
- State regulations and statutes
- Consumer protection requirements
- Licensing and appointment procedures
- Ethical standards and prohibited practices
Exam Tip: West Virginia's 40-hour requirement ensures comprehensive preparation. Plan for an additional 40-60 hours of self-study with practice exams to confidently pass the 70% threshold.
License Application Process
Step-by-Step Process
-
Complete Pre-Licensing Education
- Finish 40 hours from an OIC-approved provider
- Receive completion certificate
- Retain certificate for exam registration
-
Submit Fingerprints and Background Check
- Schedule fingerprinting through approved vendor
- Background check conducted by West Virginia State Police
- Results sent directly to OIC
- Process takes approximately 2-4 weeks
-
Register for the Exam
- Create account with PSI or Pearson VUE
- Schedule exam appointment
- Pay examination fee
- Choose testing center or remote proctored option
-
Take the Exam
- Arrive 30 minutes early to testing center
- Bring two forms of valid identification
- One ID must be government-issued with photo
- Pass with 70%+ on both sections
-
Apply for License
- Submit application through NIPR or directly to OIC
- Pay licensing fee
- Obtain appointment from an insurance company
- Receive license after all requirements met
Total Costs (Estimated 2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-License Education | $200 - $400 |
| Fingerprinting | $25 - $50 |
| Background Check | $25 - $40 |
| Exam Fee | $45 - $65 |
| License Application Fee | $50 - $100 |
| TOTAL | $345 - $655+ |
Note: Fees are subject to change. Verify current fees with the West Virginia OIC and testing providers.
What This Guide Covers
This FREE study guide focuses on West Virginia state-specific content:
Chapter 1: West Virginia P&C Regulation & Licensing
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner structure and authority
- Producer licensing requirements and continuing education (24 hours every 2 years)
- Ethics and professional responsibilities
- Prohibited practices and disciplinary actions
Chapter 2: West Virginia Property Insurance
- Homeowners insurance regulations and forms
- Commercial property coverage requirements
- Mine subsidence coverage (critical for WV)
- Flood insurance considerations for mountain terrain
- Claims handling requirements
Chapter 3: West Virginia Casualty & Auto Insurance
- West Virginia auto insurance minimum requirements (25/50/25)
- Mandatory liability coverage
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist options
- Workers' compensation requirements (3+ employees)
- General liability principles
Chapter 4: West Virginia Ethics & Professional Conduct
- Fiduciary duties to clients and insurers
- Disclosure requirements and transparency
- Consumer protection laws
- Professional standards and best practices
Note: This guide covers ONLY West Virginia state law. You must also study national P&C insurance principles to fully prepare for the exam.
Exam Content Distribution
The West Virginia P&C exam emphasizes:
| Content Area | Emphasis | Study Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Types & Coverage | High | Know different policy forms and coverages |
| P&C Terms & Concepts | High | Master insurance terminology |
| Policy Provisions | High | Understand coverage limits, exclusions, conditions |
| West Virginia Insurance Law | High | State-specific regulations and requirements |
| Auto Insurance | High | Mandatory coverages and minimums |
| Ethics & Conduct | Medium | Professional standards and prohibited practices |
| Claims Handling | Medium | Claims process, settlement, bad faith |
West Virginia-Specific Considerations
Geographic and Economic Factors
West Virginia presents unique insurance challenges:
| Factor | Insurance Impact |
|---|---|
| Mountain Terrain | Flood, landslide, and subsidence risks |
| Coal Mining History | Mine subsidence coverage critical |
| Rural Areas | Fire protection classes, distance to hydrants |
| Weather Patterns | Severe storms, flooding, winter conditions |
| Industrial Heritage | Workers' compensation considerations |
Mine Subsidence Coverage
Mine subsidence is a significant concern in West Virginia:
- Ground movement caused by collapse of underground mine workings
- Standard homeowners policies typically EXCLUDE mine subsidence
- West Virginia requires insurers to OFFER mine subsidence coverage
- Policyholders can accept or reject coverage in writing
- Especially important in former coal mining regions
Flood Insurance
Flood considerations for the Mountain State:
- Standard policies do NOT cover flood damage
- NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) available through FEMA
- Private flood insurance increasingly available
- Many West Virginia properties in flood zones due to terrain
- Producers must advise clients about flood exclusions
West Virginia OIC Contact Information
Important Resources
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency Name | West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner |
| Website | www.wvinsurance.gov |
| Address | 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302 |
| Phone | (304) 558-3354 |
| Consumer Services | (888) 879-9842 (toll-free) |
| OICInfo@wv.gov |
Testing Center Information
PSI Services
- Website: www.psiexams.com
- Phone: (800) 733-9267
- Online scheduling available 24/7
- Multiple testing centers throughout West Virginia
- Remote proctored testing available
Pearson VUE
- Website: www.pearsonvue.com
- Scheduling and information online
- Testing centers in Charleston and other locations
How to Use This Guide
Study Strategy
- Complete Pre-License Education First (40 hours required)
- Read Each Chapter Thoroughly - Focus on West Virginia-specific regulations
- Test Your Knowledge - Complete all quiz questions in this guide
- Review Key Takeaways - Create flashcards from bullet points
- Study National P&C Content - Use separate national study materials
- Take Practice Exams - Aim for 85%+ before scheduling real exam
- Review Weak Areas - Focus additional time on challenging topics
Recommended Study Timeline
| Week | Focus | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Complete 40-hour pre-license course | 40 hours |
| Week 3 | Study national P&C principles | 20 hours |
| Week 4 | Study West Virginia state law (this guide) | 15 hours |
| Week 5 | Practice exams and review weak areas | 20 hours |
| Week 6 | Final review and exam | 10 hours |
| TOTAL | 105 hours |
Success Tip: Schedule your exam only after consistently scoring 85%+ on practice tests. The 70% passing score requires solid knowledge of both national concepts and West Virginia-specific regulations.
West Virginia Insurance Industry Overview
Market Characteristics
West Virginia's insurance market has unique features:
- Population: Approximately 1.8 million residents
- Economy: Healthcare, education, energy, tourism
- Insurance Needs: Auto, homeowners, commercial, workers' comp
- Regulatory Environment: Consumer-focused, moderate regulation
Career Opportunities
Licensed P&C producers in West Virginia can:
- Work as independent agents or captive agents
- Represent multiple insurance carriers
- Specialize in personal lines or commercial insurance
- Focus on niche markets (mining, energy, agriculture)
- Build referral networks with real estate and lending professionals
Continuing Education Requirements
After obtaining your license:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 24 hours every 2 years |
| Ethics Requirement | 3 hours must be in ethics |
| Timing | Due before license renewal |
| Providers | Must use OIC-approved CE providers |
| Exemptions | Limited exemptions available |
Next Steps
Ready to begin your West Virginia P&C exam preparation? Start with Chapter 1: West Virginia P&C Regulation & Licensing to learn about the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, licensing requirements, and professional responsibilities.
Good luck on your exam!
How many hours of pre-licensing education does West Virginia require for a P&C license?
What is the passing score for the West Virginia P&C exam?
Which type of coverage is particularly important in West Virginia due to the state's coal mining history?