| Requirement | West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 90 hours |
| Exam administrator | Pearson VUE |
| License / application fee | $75 (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)) |
| Exam fee | n/a |
| Regulator | West Virginia Real Estate Commission |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 370 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $59,050 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in West Virginia
To get a West Virginia real estate salesperson license you complete 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a West Virginia real estate license?
West Virginia requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the Pearson VUE salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in West Virginia?
Getting licensed in West Virginia takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 90 hours of pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the West Virginia Real Estate Commission lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 90 hours of pre-license education
West Virginia requires 90 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the West Virginia salesperson exam
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and covers national real estate principles plus West Virginia law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new West Virginia salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission, then activate under your broker.
How much does a West Virginia real estate license cost?
West Virginia's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: $75 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the West Virginia Real Estate Commission before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in West Virginia?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in West Virginia earned a median of $59,050 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $32,180. See the full West Virginia agent salary breakdown.
What are West Virginia’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 11 West Virginia housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $212,450 as of September 2026, from $169,900 in Weirton to $349,700 in Morgantown; 5 of 11 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | $212,450 | -5.6% | 56 | 730 |
| Charleston, WV | $189,325 | +20.6% | 49 | 416 |
| Wheeling, WV | $179,450 | +1.4% | 58 | 342 |
| Beckley, WV | $192,425 | +6.3% | 60 | 338 |
| Morgantown, WV | $349,700 | +9.9% | 61 | 270 |
All tracked markets: West Virginia housing market hub.
West Virginia real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of West Virginia Real Estate Commission requirements.
How much does a West Virginia real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: $75 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the West Virginia real estate exam?
Pearson VUE administers the West Virginia salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in West Virginia?
No. West Virginia requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Real Estate Commission licenses and regulates West Virginia real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the West Virginia Real Estate Commission before enrolling.