What a real estate agent's website must show in West Virginia

Does a website count as advertising in West Virginia?

• Yes. The rule has a specific internet advertising section that covers websites and social media. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

  “The information required in section 17.1 and 17.2 of this rule must appear on the home page or the screen that is first seen by the viewer. This information must be accessible with no more than two mouse clicks when advertising on social media.”

What every advertisement must show

• The company name, the name of the responsible broker and the term "Broker", the physical address of a licensed office location, and a phone number. (Yard signs need not show the office address.) W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

  “Each advertisement shall include the following information: the company name, the name of the responsible broker and the term "Broker," the physical address of a licensed office location, and a phone number.”

• The company name, the responsible broker's name and "Broker" displayed no less than half the size of the names of any associate brokers, salespersons or team in the ad. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

  “The company name, the name of the responsible broker, and the term "Broker" shall be displayed no less than half the size of the names of the associate broker(s), salesperson(s), or team name in the advertisement.”

• Agents named in an ad must be clearly identified as associate brokers or salespersons. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

Websites specifically

• On a website, the required information must appear on the home page or the first screen the viewer sees. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

• On social media, it must be accessible within no more than two clicks. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

Team names

• A team ad for specific property or services need not name every member, but must include at least one team member's name with "Associate Broker" or "Salesperson" as on their license, and "Non-Licensed" beside any unlicensed member it names. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

• No team may advertise under its own name without the responsible broker's name; all team advertising is under the responsible broker's direct supervision and in the broker's name. The broker's details must be at least half the size of the team name. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

What gets agents in trouble

• A salesperson, associate broker or team advertising any property under their own name without the responsible broker's name. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

• Naming associate brokers or salespersons in an ad without clearly identifying them as such. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

Worth knowing

• Business cards and other promotional items not for a specific property or service need the licensee's name, the company name and contact information. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

• A licensee who owns the property has the same rights as an unlicensed owner with regard to it. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

• §174-1-17 does not require a license number; it requires the company and broker details, the office address and a phone number. W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17

How many agents this applies to

562 real estate agents were working in West Virginia when we last counted, across 6 brokerage offices. That is agents with a live profile on a brokerage's own site, not everyone holding a licence, so it is the population these rules actually bind day to day. The West Virginia brokerage directory breaks it down office by office. Counted 2026-10-07.

Sources

This page paraphrases the rules; the rules themselves are what bind you. Each was read on the date shown. If the Commission changes a rule, the page will lag until it is read again.

• W. Va. Code R. §174-1-17 — Advertising — read 2026-10-07
• Regulator: West Virginia Real Estate Commission

Not legal advice. When a rule and this page disagree, the rule wins; when in doubt, ask your broker or the Commission.

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