Real Estate License from West Virginia to Illinois: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate ↗
A real estate license transfers from West Virginia to Illinois by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate, verify your West Virginia license, and meet Illinois's endorsement requirements. Effective January 1, 2026 an Endorsement Process replaced Illinois's former reciprocal agreements with specific states. An out-of-state broker/managing broker holding an active equivalent license completes a 30-hour Illinois Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course and must pass the Illinois Real Estate Endorsement Examination on Illinois brokerage law; the national/uniform exam portion is not retaken..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Illinois publishes no agreement covering West Virginia, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Illinois's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate 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 → Illinois
| West Virginia (current) | Illinois (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 90 | 75 |
| Application fee | $75 (salesperson license fee ($75, initial and any subsequent); the salesperson/broker exam application fee ($25) is charged separately) | $150 ($150 non-refundable endorsement application fee for the Broker profession ($175 for Managing Broker); separate from PSI endorsement-exam fees and 30-hour course tuition.) |
| Processing time | Commission does not publish a processing-time range | IDFPR does not publish a stated processing time for endorsement applications |
| Licensing authority | West Virginia Real Estate Commission | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Illinois sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Illinois's current requirements on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active license in good standing as a broker, managing broker, or its equivalent in another state or jurisdiction (managing-broker endorsement additionally requires 2 years of active managing-broker practice in the immediately preceding period).
- Complete the 30-hour Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course and provide a Uniform Real Estate Transcript from an IDFPR-approved provider.
- Pass the Real Estate Endorsement Examination on Illinois real estate brokerage laws.
- Submit a Certification by Licensing Agency/Board (or Certification of License History) from each state in which licensed.
- Provide a Sponsor Card from an Illinois actively licensed brokerage for an active license (otherwise the license issues inactive).
- Pay the fees ($150 ($150 non-refundable endorsement application fee for the Broker profession ($175 for Managing Broker); separate from PSI endorsement-exam fees and 30-hour course tuition.)) and allow IDFPR does not publish a stated processing time for endorsement applications.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois accept a West Virginia real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from West Virginia to Illinois by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Division of Real Estate, verify your West Virginia license, and meet Illinois's endorsement requirements. Effective January 1, 2026 an Endorsement Process replaced Illinois's former reciprocal agreements with specific states. An out-of-state broker/managing broker holding an active equivalent license completes a 30-hour Illinois Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course and must pass the Illinois Real Estate Endorsement Examination on Illinois brokerage law; the national/uniform exam portion is not retaken..
Which exams will I take moving from West Virginia to Illinois?
Effective January 1, 2026 an Endorsement Process replaced Illinois's former reciprocal agreements with specific states. An out-of-state broker/managing broker holding an active equivalent license completes a 30-hour Illinois Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course and must pass the Illinois Real Estate Endorsement Examination on Illinois brokerage law; the national/uniform exam portion is not retaken..
What does the move cost?
$150 ($150 non-refundable endorsement application fee for the Broker profession ($175 for Managing Broker); separate from PSI endorsement-exam fees and 30-hour course tuition.) ($150 non-refundable endorsement application fee for the Broker profession ($175 for Managing Broker); separate from PSI endorsement-exam fees and 30-hour course tuition.).
Can I keep selling in West Virginia after I'm licensed in Illinois?
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.
- IDFPR — Real Estate Brokerage page ('Endorsement Process becomes effective January 1, 2026 ... replaces a Reciprocal Process previously in place with specific states') ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — Real Estate Application for Licensure by Endorsement (Broker $150 / Managing Broker $175; 30-hour endorsement course; endorsement exam on Illinois law) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — 30-Hour Real Estate Broker Pre-License Endorsement Course Curriculum (12-10-2024) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (60 hours topics + 15 hours applied) ↗ (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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