How to verify a real estate license in West Virginia

The five trades at a glance

Real estate agents and brokers

It is unlawful to act as a broker, associate broker or salesperson in West Virginia without a license, and a license from another state does not substitute (§ 30-40-3). The Commission’s home page has a License Lookup link, which sends you to the lookup run by ARELLO, an association of license regulators. The Commission also posts active licensee rosters for salespersons, associate brokers and brokers, and a list of disciplinary actions. Check the license type, that it is active, and the broker the person works for. Renewal runs May 1 to June 30 each year. After December 31 of a lapsed year, the license is canceled (Commission renewal page). Phone: 304-558-3555.

Mortgage loan originators (NMLS)

An individual who originates a residential mortgage loan on a dwelling in West Virginia needs a state mortgage loan originator license and a unique identifier from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). An originator can work for only one licensed entity at a time (§ 31-17A-3). Exemptions include a person dealing with an immediate family member and a lawyer negotiating a loan as part of representing a client, unless paid by a lender. The Division of Financial Institutions’ mortgage page covers license verification and points to NMLS (304-558-2294). The public search, NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org), blocked our automated access, so we did not read it; use it directly.

Home inspectors

A person may not perform or offer home inspection work for pay in West Virginia without a certificate from the State Fire Marshal (103 CSR 7, § 2.1). Applicants must pass the National Home Inspector Examination, complete 80 hours of instruction, and carry at least $250,000 in general liability insurance. Certificates expire after 12 months (§§ 4.1, 6.1). Use the Fire Marshal’s Online Licensee Search at sfm-permit-public.wvoasis.gov/publicdata/LicenseeSearch or the posted Home Inspector Listing. Phone: 304-558-2191. For what an inspection costs, see home inspection cost.

Appraisers (state board and national registry)

Preparing an appraisal for pay without a license or certification is unlawful (§ 30-38-1). The state board posts a roster of appraisers and appraisal management companies. The federal Appraisal Subcommittee’s national registry lists state-credentialed appraisers, updated monthly, and says it has not independently verified what states submit. So treat the state board as the source of record. Board phone: 304-558-3919. See home appraisal cost.

Land surveyors

Practicing or offering surveying without a license is unlawful, and a surveying firm needs a certificate of authorization (§ 30-13A-1). The Board of Professional Surveyors has an online verification tool with separate tabs for individual surveyors and for firms. Search by license number, name and county, or by company name and certificate number. The board also posts an active surveyors roster. Phone: 304-558-0350. See land survey cost.

What to do if a license is expired, suspended or missing

• Real estate agent. File a written complaint on the Commission’s form. Complaints generally must be filed within two years of the act, or two years after you discovered or should have discovered fraud (§ 30-40-20). The Commission or other interested persons can seek an injunction, and knowing violations can be referred to a prosecutor (§ 30-40-24). A person who must hold a broker’s license cannot sue for compensation without proving a valid license throughout the work (§ 30-40-25).
• Other trades. Contact the agency in the table. Do not sign a contract with someone who cannot show a current credential.
• Before you hire anyone. Match the name and license number to the official lookup, not to an ad. See home buying steps and our real estate attorney guide.