Agency Relationships in West Virginia
West Virginia requires disclosure of agency relationships and recognizes seller, buyer, and dual agency. This chapter explains the disclosure and the duties licensees owe to clients and customers.
Agency Relationship Disclosure
West Virginia licensees must disclose the agency relationship to a consumer before confidential information is shared, generally at the start of the working relationship. The disclosure explains whether the licensee represents the seller, represents the buyer, or acts as a dual agent, so the consumer understands who is being represented in the transaction.
Seller and Buyer Agency Duties
A licensee who represents a seller or a buyer owes that client duties including loyalty, confidentiality, obedience to lawful instructions, disclosure, accounting, and reasonable care. To the other party the licensee still owes honesty and fair dealing and must disclose known material defects in the property. These duties continue throughout the transaction.
Dual Agency
Dual agency, in which one licensee or firm represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction, is permitted in West Virginia only with the informed written consent of both parties. A dual agent must treat both parties honestly and may not disclose one party's confidential information to the other. Because a dual agent cannot fully advocate for either side, both parties must knowingly consent.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC)
- Prelicensing education
- 90 hours (equivalent to 6 college credit hours)
How many prelicensing hours does West Virginia require to become a real estate agent?
West Virginia requires 90 clock-hours (equivalent to 6 college credit hours) of Commission-approved salesperson pre-license education, completed within the three years before application.
Who licenses real estate agents in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC) licenses salespersons and brokers.
How is the West Virginia salesperson exam structured?
The West Virginia salesperson exam has a national portion and a West Virginia state portion, each scored separately; you must pass both. Confirm the current exam vendor, scored-question counts, and passing score on the WVREC website.
Sources: https://rec.wv.gov/License-Info/Pages/Salesperson.aspx, https://rec.wv.gov/Education/Pages/Pre-Licensing-Education.aspx
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