Real Estate License from Montana to West Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: West Virginia Real Estate Commission ↗
A real estate license transfers from Montana to West Virginia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission, verify your Montana license, and meet West Virginia's endorsement requirements. Applicants licensed in another jurisdiction are exempt from the National portion of the exam and must pass only the West Virginia state-specific portion.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
West Virginia publishes no agreement covering Montana, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on West Virginia's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the West Virginia Real Estate Commission commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, Montana → West Virginia
| Montana (current) | West Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 70 | 90 |
| Application fee | $80 ($80 application fee; separate Pearson VUE examination fee paid to the test vendor) | $75 (salesperson license fee ($75, initial and any subsequent); the salesperson/broker exam application fee ($25) is charged separately) |
| Processing time | Board of Realty Regulation does not publish a processing-time range | Commission does not publish a processing-time range |
| Licensing authority | Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) | West Virginia Real Estate Commission |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — West Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm West Virginia's current requirements on the West Virginia Real Estate Commission website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current real estate license in another jurisdiction.
- Pass the West Virginia state-specific portion of the licensing examination.
- Provide a Certification of Licensure from each state where you are or were licensed.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check.
- Pay the fees ($75 (salesperson license fee ($75, initial and any subsequent); the salesperson/broker exam application fee ($25) is charged separately)) and allow Commission does not publish a processing-time range.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does West Virginia accept a Montana real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Montana to West Virginia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission, verify your Montana license, and meet West Virginia's endorsement requirements. Applicants licensed in another jurisdiction are exempt from the National portion of the exam and must pass only the West Virginia state-specific portion.
Which exams will I take moving from Montana to West Virginia?
Applicants licensed in another jurisdiction are exempt from the National portion of the exam and must pass only the West Virginia state-specific portion.
What does the move cost?
$75 (salesperson license fee ($75, initial and any subsequent); the salesperson/broker exam application fee ($25) is charged separately) (salesperson license fee ($75, initial and any subsequent); the salesperson/broker exam application fee ($25) is charged separately).
Can I keep selling in Montana after I'm licensed in West Virginia?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Montana license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- WV Real Estate Commission - Licensing ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV Real Estate Commission - Reciprocity Agreements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV Real Estate Commission - Education Requirements for Licensure ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV Real Estate Commission - Schedule of Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MT Board of Realty Regulation — Real Estate Salesperson license information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MT Board of Realty Regulation — Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Requirements & Application Checklist (Updated 11/2025; Out-of-State Licensee/Waiver Process; $80 fee; 70-hour pre-licensing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]