Real Estate License from West Virginia to Kentucky: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) ↗

A real estate license transfers from West Virginia to Kentucky by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC), verify your West Virginia license, and meet Kentucky's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants take ONLY the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam (the PSI 'reciprocity sales associate exam'); the national portion and the full 96-hour pre-license course are waived. Instead they complete a 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved provider..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

Kentucky publishes no agreement covering West Virginia, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Kentucky's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) 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, West Virginia → Kentucky

Side-by-side: West Virginia vs Kentucky (Real Estate (salesperson/broker)), verified 2026-07-21
	West Virginia (current)	Kentucky (destination)
Training hours	90	96
Application fee	$75 (salesperson license fee ($75, initial and any subsequent); the salesperson/broker exam application fee ($25) is charged separately)	$130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.)
Processing time	Commission does not publish a processing-time range	KREC does not publish a stated processing time; the application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam
Licensing authority	West Virginia Real Estate Commission	Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kentucky sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

Confirm Kentucky's current requirements on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
Submit the endorsement application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) (application linked below).
Arrange license verification from your current state.
Meet the partner-state experience threshold — at least one (1) year actively licensed as a sales associate (Tennessee: as an associate broker) in the reciprocal state immediately preceding application.
Complete the 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved education provider.
Submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check (valid 90 days; you must pass the exam and apply before it expires).
Pass the Kentucky law portion via the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam, then file the application within 60 days of passing.
Provide a license history certification / letter of good standing from every state where you are licensed and proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Pay the fees ($130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.)) and allow KREC does not publish a stated processing time; the application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam.

Official links

Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) ↗Kentucky application ↗

Frequently asked questions

Does Kentucky accept a West Virginia real estate license?

Which exams will I take moving from West Virginia to Kentucky?

Reciprocal applicants take ONLY the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam (the PSI 'reciprocity sales associate exam'); the national portion and the full 96-hour pre-license course are waived. Instead they complete a 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved provider..

What does the move cost?

$130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.) ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.).

Can I keep selling in West Virginia after I'm licensed in Kentucky?

Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the West Virginia 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.

Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Reciprocal Licensing (agreements with Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee; MOUs with Illinois and Ohio; 40-hour reciprocal license law course; national criminal check; $130 active / $120 inactive license fee; 60-day filing window) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
201 KAR 11:210 — Licensing, education, and testing requirements (reciprocal applicants: 6 academic credit hours or equivalent, pass Kentucky law portion, certification of licensure within 90 days, national criminal history check) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Education (Sales Associate new-applicant pre-license: 96 hours or 6 academic credit hours) ↗ (accessed 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)

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

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