Key Takeaways
- West Virginia salesperson applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
- Pre-license education requirement is 90 hours of approved coursework (equivalent to 6 college credit hours)
- The exam has 130 questions total: 80 national and 50 state-specific questions
- Passing score is 70% on each portion (56/80 national, 35/50 state)
- Total exam time is 3.5 hours; pre-license education must be completed within 5 years of application
West Virginia License Requirements
West Virginia has specific requirements for salesperson, associate broker, and broker licenses. Understanding these requirements is essential for the state exam.
Salesperson License Requirements
1. Age and Legal Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a state and national background check
- Be recommended by a licensed West Virginia broker
2. Education Requirements
Complete 90 hours of pre-license education from a WVREC-approved school:
| Course Content | Hours |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Principles and Practices | 90 hours total |
| (Equivalent to 6 college credit hours) |
Important: Pre-license education must be completed within 5 years of the application date.
3. Examination
| Detail | Salesperson Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 130 multiple-choice |
| National Portion | 80 questions |
| State Portion | 50 questions |
| Time Limit | 3.5 hours total |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
| Exam Provider | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Fee | Approximately $55-$110 |
Passing Score Requirements
| Portion | Questions | Passing Score | Minimum Correct |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 70% | 56 questions |
| State | 50 | 70% | 35 questions |
4. Background Check
All applicants must submit to a criminal background check:
- Fingerprints submitted through IdentoGO (Service Code: 228Q6K)
- FBI and state criminal history review
- Fingerprint processing fee: $45.75
- WVREC reviews results for suitability
Broker and Associate Broker License Requirements
To become a West Virginia real estate broker or associate broker, you must meet additional requirements:
Experience Requirement
Minimum of 20 closed transactions representing buyers or sellers within the 2 years prior to application, OR
Minimum of 40 closed transactions regardless of the number of years as a licensed salesperson.
Education Requirements
| Applicant Type | Pre-License Hours |
|---|---|
| New applicants (no WV license) | 180 hours (12 college credit hours) |
| Current WV salesperson | 90 additional hours of broker education |
Important: Broker education must be completed within 5 years of the application date.
Broker Examination
| Detail | Broker Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 130+ |
| National Portion | 80 questions |
| State Portion | 50 questions |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
License Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application/Authorization fee | $25 |
| Salesperson exam fee | $55-$110 |
| Broker exam fee | $96 |
| Salesperson license fee | $75 |
| Broker license fee | $175 |
| Fingerprint fee | $45.75 |
Application Process
- Complete education at WVREC-approved school
- Submit online application through WVREC portal
- Pay application fee ($25)
- Submit fingerprints to IdentoGO for background check
- Receive examination eligibility (valid 90 days or 2 attempts)
- Schedule and pass exam at Pearson VUE testing center
- Find sponsoring broker (salespersons must be recommended by broker)
- Submit license activation with $75 fee within 90 days of passing
What is the minimum age requirement for a West Virginia real estate salesperson license?
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a West Virginia salesperson license?
What is the passing score for the West Virginia real estate salesperson exam?
How long is the exam eligibility valid after WVREC approval?