How to Pass the West Virginia Real Estate Exam on Your First Try

West Virginia has significant mineral rights activity — coal, oil, and natural gas — that creates unique real estate considerations. The exam is 120 questions (80 national + 40 state) with a 70% passing threshold. Administered by PSI.

West Virginia Exam Fast Facts - Questions: 120 (80 national + 40 state) - Passing score: 70% on each section (56 national, 28 state) - Time limit: 4 hours - Provider: PSI - Pre-license education: 90 hours (salesperson) - Governing body: West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC)

The West Virginia Real Estate Commission

WVREC has 6 members: 4 licensees and 2 public members. Members serve 5-year terms.

Key WVREC facts: - Salesperson licenses renew every year; 7 hours of CE required per year - No Recovery Fund in West Virginia - WVREC enforces West Virginia Code Chapter 30, Article 40 (Real Estate License Act) - New salespersons must work under a supervising broker

West Virginia Agency Law

West Virginia uses the Agency Disclosure Form. Must be provided at first substantive contact. West Virginia recognizes:

• Seller's agent: fiduciary duties to seller
• Buyer's agent: fiduciary duties to buyer
• Dual agent: represents both with written consent; limited duties
• Non-agent transaction broker: assists without representing; must be disclosed in writing

Key WV rule: A dual agent cannot disclose to the buyer the lowest price the seller will accept, or to the seller the highest price the buyer will pay. This confidentiality rule is heavily tested.

West Virginia Mineral Rights

West Virginia's coal, oil, and gas industries create extensive mineral rights activity. Key concepts:

• Severed mineral rights: Mineral rights are frequently owned separately from surface rights in West Virginia
• Coal severance: The separation of coal rights from surface rights is the most common mineral right severance in WV
• Broad Form Deed: Historically used in Appalachian states; granted coal companies the right to mine without regard to surface owner. Modern WV law has changed this.
• Surface damage compensation: WV law now requires surface damage compensation for mining operations
• A deed that is silent on mineral rights may or may not include them — check the chain of title carefully

West Virginia Disclosure Requirements

West Virginia's Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement is required for most residential sales. Sellers must complete and deliver the form before accepting an offer.

Required disclosures include: - Structural and mechanical systems - Environmental hazards - Flood zone: West Virginia has significant flood risk along rivers (Kanawha, Ohio, Potomac); flood zone disclosure is required - Known mine subsidence (land settlement from underground mining) - Septic system condition

Mine subsidence: In coal country, underground mining can cause the surface to settle or collapse. West Virginia sellers must disclose known mine subsidence issues, and buyers should investigate subsidence insurance availability.

Topics That Catch Candidates Off Guard

Mine subsidence: This is a West Virginia-specific topic. Know what mine subsidence is, why it matters, and what must be disclosed.

Annual CE with 7-hour requirement: West Virginia renews licenses annually and requires 7 CE hours per year (not per 2-year cycle).

No Recovery Fund: West Virginia does not have a real estate Recovery Fund. Consumers have limited statutory recovery options.

Severed mineral rights: West Virginia's extensive coal and mineral activity means mineral rights are commonly severed. Agents must check whether mineral rights are included in a sale.

Your 4-Week West Virginia Study Plan

Week 1: National — agency, contracts, ownership, land use, fair housing Week 2: National — financing, valuation, math, environmental Week 3: West Virginia-specific — WVREC, agency law, mineral rights, mine subsidence disclosure Week 4: Full practice exams. Target 75%+. Drill mine subsidence rules, mineral rights questions, and dual agent confidentiality.

Practice for the West Virginia Exam

[CARealestate.com/states/west-virginia](https://carealestate.com/states/west-virginia) has West Virginia-specific practice questions covering WVREC rules, agency law, mineral rights, and mine subsidence disclosure. 5 free questions, no signup needed.

West Virginia's mine subsidence disclosure and mineral rights framework are the most state-specific topics. They will not appear in any national prep course but appear in the state section with some regularity.