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West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser License Requirements

Becoming an appraiser can be a lucrative and rewarding choice for your career – but how do you get started? Your appraisal education begins with 87 hours of West Virginia Appraiser Qualifying Education coursework, the building blocks of your appraisal knowledge. The best way to complete those hours successfully? By getting your trainee certification, the official recommendation of The Appraisal Foundation. Though your state may not require this certification level, earning it will help you stand out to future employers, and prepare you for the jobs that require it!

Purchase your required WV trainee courses

Quick Overview

Below is a list of the steps recommended to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in West Virginia.

  1. Obtain Your West Virginia Appraiser Apprentice Permit

  2. Complete Your Appraiser Education

  3. Conduct Your Appraisal Work Experience

  4. Submit Your Application for WV Licensed Residential Appraiser

  5. Pass the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Examination

We’ll go into more detail about these steps below.

If you've already completed appraiser education or are licensed in another state, visit the West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (WVREALCB) page for more detailed information.

How to Become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in West Virginia

1

Obtain Your Appraiser Apprentice Permit

NOTE: Your state may accept PAREA or Practicum as an alternative to Trainee license with Trainee/Supervisory model.

Qualifying Education. Before you can become a licensed residential appraiser in West Virginia, you’ll need to complete 75 hours total of West Virginia Appraiser Qualifying Education (QE), broken up as follows:

  • 30 hours of appraisal principles

  • 30 hours of appraisal procedures

  • The 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course, or an equivalent course

You’ll also need to complete a 4-hour Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser Course. Before signing up for this course, you need to find a supervisory appraiser who will act as your mentor through completion of your experience hours (Step 3).

All Qualifying Education must be approved by either the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) or the West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (WVREALCB). You must complete all qualifying education prior to submitting your apprentice application.

Before applying for your license, take a moment to read through the Board’s detailed application requirements and pay special attention to the background and character qualifications.

Once you’ve met all of the above requirements, you will need to apply with the state for your Appraiser Apprentice permit, which requires a $120 application fee. Once your application is approved, you’ll pay the $150 permit fee.

2

Complete Appraiser Education

After getting your Appraiser Apprentice permit, it’s time for the next step toward becoming a licensed residential appraiser: 150 total hours of Appraisal Foundation-approved appraiser education. (Please Note: You’ve already satisfied 83 of these hours through your apprentice permit – nice work!)

3

Conduct Your Appraisal Work Experience

Once you’ve finished your education, you must conduct and log at least 1,000 hours of actual appraisal experience. Those 1,000 hours must be completed over a period of at least six months under the supervision of a certified appraiser.

There are many ways to find and enter into a working relationship with a supervisory appraiser. A great way to begin your search is to use the list of active certified appraisers in West Virginia found in the Appraisal Subcommittee’s National Registry of Appraisers.

4

Submit Your Application for Your West Virginia Licensed Residential Appraiser License

Now that you've completed your education and logged your experience, it’s time to apply for your license. Factors that affect processing time include the completeness of the application when filed and the number and nature of any character issues or questions with respect to fitness for licensure. It is crucial to ensure your application is complete before you submit it for these reasons.

When you first apply for your license, you’ll complete and mail in part 1 before being directed to take your exam, with an admittance card given by the Board. Once you have passed the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam (the next and final step!), you will fill out part 2 of the application with a $120 application fee.

5

Pass the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Examination

In West Virginia, your education and experience must be approved by the board prior to receiving permission to take the national examination. After the WVREALCB receives your application and determines it’s complete, you’ll be directed to take the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam.

In West Virginia, the test is administered by PearsonVUE. The Appraisal Foundation publishes tips on the exam structure that can help you prepare. Here’s an overview:

  • The exam is four hours long. The Licensed Residential Examination can take up to four hours to complete.

  • There are 125 questions on the test. The National Uniform Licensing and Certification exam is composed of 125 total questions. Fifteen of these questions are considered practice, and answering those questions wrong does not negatively affect your score.

  • A score of 75 points is passing. Scores for the National Uniform Licensing and Certification exam range between 0 and 110 points. Each question carries an equal weight of 1 point. In order to pass, you must earn a minimum of 75 points.

  • You can take the test more than once. The Appraisal Foundation allows you to take the test up to three times.

Once you have passed, fill out part 2 of your application and submit it with the application fee to become licensed!

Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Real Estate Appraisal

What is the Average Real Estate Appraiser Salary in West Virginia?

According to Indeed, the average Real Estate Appraiser salary in West Virginia is $54,000*. Of course, this rate varies depending on your city, license level, and experience, among other factors. A great incentive to working toward a higher license is the ability to make more money. The Certified General license is the highest appraiser license in West Virginia, and those with this certification make an average salary between $100,000-120,000 per year.

*March 2023 Salary Data

 How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate Appraiser License in West Virginia?

Between course tuition and exam and application fees, you can expect to spend at least $2,400 for your residential appraiser licensure. The cost will vary slightly depending on the education provider and number of attempts at the exam, but here’s a breakdown of the approximate cost:

Average Course Tuition

Application Fees (includes National Registry fee)

Exam Fees

Total Estimate

$1,800 (Residential Appraiser)

$120

$100

$2,448

One additional cost to consider occurs during the apprentice experience period. You’ll be conducting over 1,000 hours of in-field appraisals in order to obtain your first license, which means travel expenses may start to accumulate. This should be considered when calculating the total approximate cost of obtaining your appraiser license.

 How Long Does It Take to Get a West Virginia Licensed Residential Appraiser License?

Between the 1,000 hours of mandatory appraisal apprentice experience and over 150 hours of appraisal and apprentice education, you’re looking at anywhere between eight and 18 months to get your WV Licensed Residential Appraiser license. This table should give you a general idea of how much time you’re looking at for this process.

Appraiser Apprentice Education Requirements

79 hours

Licensed Residential Appraiser Education Requirements

75 hours

Required Appraisal Experience

1,000 hours (in at least 6 months)

Full-Time Pace: (40 hrs/week)

≈ 8-10 months

Part-Time Pace: (20 hrs/week)

≈ 16-18 months

 If I Have an Out-of-State Appraiser License, Can I Appraise Real Estate in West Virginia?

Yes, if you have completed experience and education requirements and are licensed in another state at the same classification you are applying for in West Virginia, you need to fill out a reciprocal license application.

You will need the following in order to apply:

  • Application and license fees (which vary by classification)

  • A copy of the certificate from your most recent USPAP course

  • Take the WV Laws and Rules Reciprocal Course and attach the certificate

In West Virginia, you can also apply for a temporary practice permit. You may be granted a permit to complete one single appraisal assignment for a single client, as long as you are licensed/certified and in good standing in another state. There is a $200 application fee.

Appraiser License Types in West Virginia

It’s important to understand how West Virginia classifies real estate appraisers across four separate categories, each with their own qualifications for licensure:

  • Appraiser Apprentice

  • Licensed Residential Appraiser

  • Certified Residential Appraiser

  • Certified General Appraiser

After receiving your Apprentice permit, you can “upgrade” to any of the subsequent license levels. Today, we’ll be focusing on how to get to your Licensed Residential Appraiser license. But first, here’s a quick overview of the eligibility requirements for each licensing level.

Appraiser Eligibility Highlights

Be at least 18 years old

Proof of U.S. Citizenship

High School Diploma/GED/equivalent

Appraiser Apprentice

West Virginia, like many states, requires a pilot program for potential appraisers to begin their path toward becoming fully licensed. Known as an appraiser apprentice, this first level of licensure is required before you can become fully licensed and start appraising real estate on your own.

Here's a quick overview of everything you’ll need to become an appraiser apprentice:

Qualifying Education Hours Required

Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser

College Degree Requirement

Exam Requirement

Background Check

75 hours of qualifying appraisal education 4 hours of a Trainee/Supervisor Appraiser course

None required, though you will need to associate with a Supervisory Appraiser before receiving your apprentice license. (You’ll work under your Supervisory Appraiser to earn experience hours after receiving your apprentice license.)

Not required

Not required

Required

Licensed Residential Appraiser

The next level up is a licensed residential appraiser. At this level, you can provide appraisal services in transactions with:

  • 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity

  • Complex 1-4 unit residential properties (transaction value < $250,000)

Here’s a quick overview of everything you’ll need to become a licensed residential appraiser:

Qualifying Education Hours Required

Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser

College Degree Requirement

Exam Requirement

Background Check

150 hours (only 75 hours are required to upgrade after receiving your Apprentice permit)

And a 3-hour WV Law course for initial licensure

1,000 hours in no less than six months

Not required

Must pass exam National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified Residential Appraisers

Required

Certified Residential Appraiser

In West Virginia, the next level of licensure is the Certified Residential Appraiser license. Certified residential appraisers may provide appraisal services in transactions with:

  • 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity

  • Commercial properties (transaction value < $250,000)

Qualifying Education Hours Required

Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser

College Degree Requirement

Exam Requirement

Background Check

200 hours (only 125 hours are required to upgrade after receiving your Apprentice permit)

And a 3-hour WV Law course for initial licensure

1,500 hours in no less than 12 months

A completed or partially completed college education is required in most cases. See page 2 of the Application for WV License Upgrade for several options laid out by the Board (p. 2).

Must pass National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified General Appraisers

Required

Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

Certified general appraisers are the highest level of appraiser professionals. They can provide appraisal services in transactions with all types of residential or commercial real property without regard to value or complexity.

Qualifying Education Hours Required

Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser

College Degree Requirement

Exam Requirement

Background Check

300 hours (only 225 hours are required to upgrade after receiving your Apprentice permit)

And a 3-hour WV Law course for initial licensure

3,000 hours in no less than 18 months (1,500 of the required hours must be in non-residential assignments)

Must have bachelor's degree or higher in any field and from any accredited college or university

Must pass National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified General Appraisers

Required

West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Continuing Education Requirements

West Virginia has a few rules regarding Continuing Education (CE) requirements.

You need a total of 14 Hours of West Virginia CE every year. CE must consist of the following:

  • 7-Hour National USPAP Continuing Education Course (required every 2 years, but may be taken each year)

  • 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course or 4-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course*

  • Additional continuing education required:

    • No additional education required if 7-hour USPAP and 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations courses were completed

    • 3 hours of approved continuing education required if 7-hour USPAP and 4-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations courses were completed

    • 14 hours of approved continuing education required if no other courses were completed

*The first time a Licensee completes the Continuing Education requirement for this course, the course length must be 7 hours. If a Licensee successfully completed an 8-hour course as part of their Qualifying Education, they have satisfied this requirement. Every 2 calendar years thereafter, the course length must be at least 4 hours. This new course requirement is included in the 28 total hours for a 2-year renewal.

Note: Except for the 7-Hour USPAP course, no course can be repeated for credit within 3 renewal cycles. The USPAP course may be taken each year, although it is only required every 2 years.

Questions?