6 Best West Virginia Online Real Estate Courses 2023
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
When searching for the best West Virginia online real estate courses, agents need to consider several key factors, like the accreditation of the school, the comprehensiveness of the curriculum, and the quality and accessibility of instructors. Each of these elements contributes to the overall quality of the education and can significantly impact your preparedness and confidence for the West Virginia (WV) state exam.
We identified the top six WV real estate classes based on our expert evaluation of the best course features, pricing, and customer reviews.
- Best for an exclusively online learning environment: The CE Shop
- Best for continuing education (CE) course packages: McKissock Learning
- Best for courses taught by Certified Distance Education instructors: Spruce School of Real Estate
- Best for audio instruction: Cooke Real Estate School
- Best for specialist courses: Realty One Real Estate School
- Best for courses at a higher learning institution: Bridge Valley Community & Technical College
Best West Virginia Online Real Estate Courses at a Glance
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Learning Formats | Pass Guarantee | Customer Support |
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Prelicensing: $525 CE: $35 Exam prep: $79 |
| ✓ | Phone, chat, and email | |
Use Promo Code: FSB30 for 30% off | ||||
CE: $39 |
| ✕ | Phone and email | |
Prelicensing: $550 |
| ✕ | Phone, chat, and email | |
Prelicensing: $399 Exam prep: $139 |
| ✕ | Phone, chat, and email | |
Prelicensing: $499 Exam prep: $125 |
| ✕ | Phone and email | |
Prelicensing: $674 Broker licensing: $307 |
| ✕ | Phone and email | |
Things you need to know before enrolling for your WV real estate license education: Along with education requirements, there are additional steps to completing your real estate licensure. Check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Real Estate Agent in West Virginia to help you get started.
The CE Shop: Best for Exclusive Online Learning Environment
Pros
- Mobile-friendly platform
- Course materials crafted by industry experts
- Provides interactive study groups
Cons
- No broker licensing courses
- Livestream courses not offered
- Coaching and training not provided
Our Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
The CE Shop is one of the West Virginia real estate license online schools with comprehensive courses ranging from prelicensing to continuing education. Its curriculum is crafted by industry experts, and the courses aim to equip new and experienced real estate agents with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. The convenience of online learning, combined with The CE Shop’s student-centric approach, make it a top choice for aspiring agents in West Virginia.
The CE Shop stands out for its fully online learning platform that’s comprehensive, user-friendly, and flexible. Its proprietary LEAP content delivery platform is designed to accommodate various learning paces and keeps students engaged. However, it could improve its offerings by introducing livestream courses or real-time instructor interaction features to provide a more collaborative learning environment.
Student account interface
- Accreditation: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), and West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC)
- Refund/cancellation policy: The CE Shop offers a full refund within 30 days of purchase if the course has not been completed more than 50% and before course expiration.
- Career resources: The CE Shop offers job aids and career resources to help learners transition to professional life.
- Available support: Technical support is available seven days a week to help learners navigate any issues.
The CE Shop receives consistent praise for its comprehensive online courses and flexible learning platform. The school received a customer review rating of 4.05 out of 5. Students commend the structure and appreciate the accessibility and convenience of an online platform. Users find the platform easy to navigate, which enhances their learning experience. The course materials and thorough coverage of exam-related topics often received positive reviews.
Despite its numerous positive reviewers, some students have expressed dissatisfaction with course access time frames. Some have also mentioned that the self-guided nature of the courses can make it challenging to keep up with the material, especially for learners who thrive in structured environments. For those who prefer a blend of live and self-paced instruction, Spruce School of Real Estate could be a suitable alternative as they offer an array of course formats.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our The CE Shop Review.
The CE Shop’s pricing varies depending on the chosen course and desired course package. The course packages offer various features and course offerings based on the needs of each student.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
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Prelicensing | $525 to $755 |
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Continued Education | $35 to $55 |
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Exam Prep | $79 to $35 |
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McKissock Learning: Best for Continuing Education Course Packages
Pros
- Course accessible on all devices
- Money-back guarantee
- Access to instructor assistance
Cons
- No licensing courses offered
- Study groups not available
- Mobile application not available
Our Expert Opinion on McKissock Learning
McKissock Learning is a trusted name in online real estate education because it delivers high-quality and accessible courses for real estate agents. It offers real estate coaching and training to help agents build their skills and advance their careers.
For brokerages, McKissock Learning helps teams with recruiting and retention. It focuses on creating an online learning experience beyond obtaining license renewal credits. Also, it nurtures real estate professionals to help them succeed in the competitive real estate industry.
McKissock Learning excels in West Virginia real estate continuing education for license renewal. It offers comprehensive course packages that keep professionals up to date with the latest industry practices and regulations. Its course packages ensure that agents and brokers meet their continuing education requirements while gaining valuable knowledge to enhance their careers. A mobile application for McKissock Learning would provide more convenience and accessibility of its courses for real estate agents who want to learn on the go.
Course dashboard
- Accreditation: ARELLO, IDECC, and WVREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Full refunds are given within 10 days of purchase, provided the course has not been completed.
- Sister school: McKissock offers access to their sister school, Colibri Real Estate, to offer more course offerings like exam prep courses.
- Learning library: Available in the CE Plus course package so that students can access a vast library of supplemental learning material.
McKissock Learning received an overall customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5. The school often receives positive reviews for its extensive array of continuing education packages and its commitment to providing up-to-date content. The students express high satisfaction with the course’s relevancy to their day-to-day real estate activities. Many students have expressed appreciation for the ability of McKissock to help them with their career advancements.
Some reviews point out that McKissock Learning did not offer their state any career services or job-hunting skills. Another student mentioned the course materials were sometimes vague and needed more specific explanations. Others said there was limited customer service available over the weekends. Students seeking more support should consider The CE Shop as an alternative.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our McKissock Learning Review.
McKissock’s continuing education pricing has individual courses that are priced separately—though students are able to select seven elective hours packages that can be more cost-effective. A CE membership is also available for an annual fee.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
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Continued Education | $39 to $99 |
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Spruce School of Real Estate: Best for Courses Taught by Certified Distance Education Instructors
Pros
- Courses tailored to West Virginia real estate market
- Instructor assistance
- Interactive study groups offered
Cons
- Exam prep courses not offered
- Refund guarantee not provided
- No mobile application
Our Expert Opinion on Spruce School of Real Estate
Bringing years of experience about local WV real estate trends to their education programs is The Spruce School of Real Estate. It was the first real estate school in West Virginia to evolve its teaching into a more modernized online format. Besides that, it has a reputation for high success rates and personalized instruction that has made it a preferred choice for many aspiring agents. It offers both in-person and live online courses, and all courses include live customer support as well.
The Spruce School of Real Estate is proud to offer courses taught by Certified Distance Education Instructors (CDEI) for students who want to complete their WV real estate license online. This certification indicates that instructors are not only experts in their field but are also skilled in the principles of effective online instruction. Spruce School of Real Estate could offer more locations for live classes throughout the state to cater to a broader demographic of students.
Blog posts (Source: Spruce Real Estate School)
- Accreditation: ARELLO and WVREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: All sales are final, and no available refunds are offered.
- Included course textbook: Books are shipped within 24 hours after course enrollment.
- Enrollment term: Students have access to courses for one year from when they signed up.
Spruce School of Real Estate shines as one of the best West Virginia online real estate courses because of its ability to successfully prepare students for real estate exams. Students gave the school a glowing review rating of 5 out of 5. Many attribute their first-time success in both national and state exams to the robust information, insightful videos, and helpful study tools provided by the school. One student raved about the excellent guidance from the school and its ability to make complex ideas and terms more digestible.
Although Spruce School of Real Estate did not receive any negative reviews, in our expert opinion, there is some room for improvement. The school could provide insight into course features and schedules on its website. Interested students have to sign up before they get more information about WV real estate classes online and what is included. The school could also provide additional CE or exam prep courses to match its online competitors. For students seeking greater course transparency, The CE Shop’s online platform is worth considering.
Spruce School’s pricing is straightforward, with a flat rate for the prelicensing course.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
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Prelicensing | $550 |
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Visit Spruce School of Real Estate
Cooke Real Estate School: Best for Audio Instruction
Pros
- Appraisal and property management courses offered
- Exam prep available
- Professional development provided
Cons
- No option for live WV real estate classes online or in-person classes
- Career assistance not provided
- 1-on-1 coaching not available
Our Expert Opinion on Cooke Real Estate School
Established in 1972, Cooke Real Estate School has been a pioneering force offering WV real estate license courses. The school leverages decades of experience to provide effective online learning. Its WV real estate classes online are designed to be flexible, making learning convenient for busy individuals. All online courses come with companion textbooks and learning tools like a candidate handbook to help students comprehend course material.
Cooke Real Estate School distinguishes itself with its audio instructor course guidance. This feature adds an auditory component to the learning process to facilitate understanding and retention of the course material.
During the course, students will see a video of the instructor covering each chapter with a synchronized PowerPoint. To cater to the needs of its more digital-savvy students, Cooke Real Estate School could introduce a mobile application that allows for flexible and portable learning.
Course demo (Source: Cooke Real Estate School)
- Accreditation: WVREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refunds are given if requested within 15 days of enrollment, provided the course is not completed.
- Vocabulary flashcards: Valuable flashcard tool for reinforcing key real estate terminologies digitally.
- Quiz and exams: Material consists of multiple choice and true/false questions.
The student reviews for Cooke Real Estate School speak to the school’s exceptional customer service and supportive learning environment. Students appreciate the responsive and helpful staff who were always ready to answer questions and fill in learning gaps. Many students said the prep course for the state exam left them feeling confident in their ability to pass the final tests. Students gave Cooke Real Estate School an overall customer review rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Very few negative reviews were provided for the Cooke Real Estate School, but some students voiced their concerns. One student noted issues with the platform’s speed and functionality, reporting that the software would freeze if used for extended periods. For students seeking more seamless online learning with instructors familiar with online learning, they might want to consider options like Spruce School of Real Estate for their CDEI.
Cooke Real Estate School’s pricing is set in different packages based on the textbooks students would like to add to supplement their online courses.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
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Prelicensing | $399 to $649 |
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Exam Prep | $139 |
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Visit Cooke Real Estate School
Realty One Real Estate School: Best for Specialist Courses
Pros
- Flexible self-paced online platform
- Provides robust career assistance
- Course extension available
Cons
- No live course options
- No mobile application for learning on-the-go
- Some course offerings may be more expensive
Our Expert Opinion on Realty One Real Estate School
Realty One Real Estate School offers an online platform with access to instructor assistance. Courses are taught by a full-time real estate broker, which allows for real-world insights and practical experience that go beyond textbooks. The course is designed with a flexible timeline that gives students six months from registration to complete their studies. Additionally, the school provides the opportunity to attend any livestream session, which encourages students to engage with the material as they need.
In addition, Realty One Real Estate School is one of the only WV real estate classes offering the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) Professional Designation Course. This designation signifies excellence in buyer representation and enhances a real estate professional’s marketability. Realty One Real Estate School could expand its offerings by offering physical textbooks to supplement online learning.
Instructor bio (Source: Realty One Real Estate School)
- Accreditation: ARELLO and WVREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: The school doesn’t indicate refund opportunity.
- Student support: Realty One offers direct instructor access for students to ask questions and get insider tips.
- Professional development courses: Free professional development courses are offered to students who want to take their careers to the next level.
Students of Realty One Real Estate School praise the blend of online and livestream learning formats. The flexibility of online learning combined with the interactive experience created an ideal learning environment that caters to different learning styles. Students also appreciated the informative classes, engaging instruction, and supportive community of professionals. Not only did the school prepare them for the national exam, but students also felt ready to start their real estate careers confidently. The school received an overall customer review rating of 5 out of 5.
Realty One Real Estate School did not receive any negative reviews; however, in our expert opinion, the school could improve by increasing the transparency of its course offerings on its website. As of now, the website does not provide specific course schedules. This could potentially cause confusion or inconvenience for those seeking immediate information. Students who want more information on courses and availability, especially for continuing education classes, should consider McKissock Learning.
Straightforward pricing for each course is offered by Realty One Real Estate School. Students only have one option for prelicensing and exam prep courses. Different continuing education courses are offered throughout the year.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
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Prelicensing | $499 |
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Continuing Education | Pricing varies by course |
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Exam Prep | $125 |
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Visit Realty One Real Estate School
Bridge Valley Community & Technical College: Best for Courses at a Higher Learning Institution
Pros
- Networking opportunities within the local community
- Faculty of experienced professionals
- Access to college resources like libraries and student support services
Cons
- Pricing follows a traditional college tuition structure, which might be more expensive
- Lacks on-demand video course
- No mobile application
Our Expert Opinion on Bridge Valley Community & Technical College
Offering real estate salesperson and broker prelicensing as part of their professional and business curriculum is Bridge Valley Community & Technical College. The real estate program is designed to prepare students by integrating practical skills with comprehensive academic instruction. Students are taught by experienced and credentialed instructors. The school also offered access to direct assistance to help students comprehend and apply their real estate knowledge.
Bridge Valley Community & Technical College stands out as the best school offering real estate courses at a higher learning institution. This public college provides a different learning environment that combines academic rigor and helps foster a deep understanding of the industry. To cater to a wider range of learners, Bridge Valley Community & Technical College could introduce more flexible in-person and livestream course offerings in its curriculum.
Broker licensing information
(Source: Bridge Valley Community & Technical College)
- Accreditation: WVREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Bridge Valley follows the standard college refund policy, which typically includes a refund if withdrawal from the course occurs within a specified period.
- Dedicated website: Provides students with access to study materials and questions bank.
- Math references: Access to most frequently used real estate math questions and math concepts.
Many of Bridge Valley Community & Technical College’s reviews touch on the overall school experience and not just on the real estate courses. However, students seem pleased with the school, giving it an overall customer review rating of 4 out of 5. Students praised the instructors for being very understanding and willing to help students throughout their education. Besides that, they also appreciate the availability of extracurricular activities to help them network.
Although there were limited negative reviews about the real estate program, in our expert opinion, we found that offering real estate licensing as part of a larger institution may not be beneficial to students who want to quickly complete licensing courses. Students would have to navigate through college enrollment, financial aid, and more barriers to quickly enroll. For students who want a school integrated into the real estate world and have quick access to courses, then consider opting for Realty One Real Estate School instead.
Bridge Valley’s pricing is offered at a flat rate for each licensing course. Students are provided with the required credit hours to take the final exam.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
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Prelicensing | $674 |
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Broker Prelicensing | $307 |
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Visit Bridge Valley Community & Technical College
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in West Virginia
The top West Virginia online real estate courses were selected after meticulous evaluation of their curriculum, learning formats, customer support, affordability, and overall reputation and student reviews. Each of these elements is integral to the overall learning experience.
The CE Shop, scoring a 4.95 out of 5, stood out as the best overall school due to its approach to online real estate learning. What sets the school apart is its innovative and fully online platform that doesn’t compromise the quality of the curriculum. The CE Shop offers excellent student support by providing resources and assistance that enrich the learning experience. Combined with its competitive pricing structure, The CE Shop offers significant value for aspiring real estate professionals, which makes it our top choice in West Virginia.
We’ve assessed each WV real estate license online course based on the following key elements:
25% of Overall Score
Consists of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent as well as ease of course accessibility.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
15% of Overall Score
The availability of each level of education for different stages of licensure. This would include pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
15% of Overall Score
Extending services past licensure, such as coaching and training and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers pass or refund guarantees for its courses.
10% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback for each program, with particular attention given to reviews of the product and popularity of the provider, to certify the course meets user satisfaction.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The duration of real estate school in West Virginia can vary depending on the specific program and whether you’re studying part time or full time. However, the state requires that all prospective agents complete at least 90 hours of prelicensing education before sitting for the licensing exam. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the pace of the study.
The difficulty of the West Virginia real estate exam can vary from person to person. It largely depends on the individual’s preparation, study habits, and understanding of the material. The WV exam consists of a national section and a state-specific section. Thorough studying and participating in practice exams can significantly help in passing the exam.
To become a real estate agent in West Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. You must also successfully complete at least 90 hours of approved real estate education courses and pass the state’s real estate licensing exam. Additionally, you must not have any criminal convictions that would prevent you from being a reputable real estate agent. After passing the exam, you need to apply for the license and activate it with a sponsoring broker. Continuing education is also required to maintain your license.