Nurse state crossing · West Virginia licensing · NLC status table · LPN/LVN list
RN work list: West Virginia
What an RN has to do to work in West Virginia. Pick where you live and the page shows your route.
Pick your home state to see which route applies. Both are listed below.
West Virginia: Nurse Licensure Compact state
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 9 Oct 2026
Home and work in West Virginia
If you already hold a licence West Virginia issued, there is no state line to cross. Renewal and continuing-education rules are on the West Virginia licensing page.
Moved here from another compact state? NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.” The endorsement steps are below.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route A: practise on your multistate licence
For a nurse whose home state and West Virginia are both compact states in force, holding a multistate licence.
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Look yourself up on Nursys QuickConfirm. NCSBN: “If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Only the compact state you actually live in can issue your multistate licence. NCSBN: “If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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NCSBN defines the privilege to practise as the authority “permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state”.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
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Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
Conditions & source context
West Virginia has implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN with an active multistate license from their primary state of residence may practice here without a West Virginia license. The facility and contract still set their own credentialing requirements.
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 15 Oct 2026
If you move for good, not just for a contract: NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.”
NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Source quotation
You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.
nursecompact.com · NCSBN
Route B: get a West Virginia licence by endorsement
For everyone else. Each step comes from West Virginia’s own licensing sources; tick it off as you go.
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Active unencumbered RN license in another U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction
At least 18 years old and high-school course or equivalent
Approved or comparable prelicensure nursing program
RN endorsement application and fees via Nurse Portal
Original license verification via Nursys or direct paper form for nonparticipating state
Proof of primary state of residence
State and federal electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO
Conditions & source context
RN only. Board’s published core checklist, not an individual eligibility determination.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Registered Nurse (RN) by Endorsement This pathway is for nurses holding an active, unencumbered RN license in another U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction who are relocating or applying to practice in West Virginia. Statutory Eligibility Requirements In accordance with W. Va. Code § 30-7-1 et seq. and 19CSR03 , all endorsement applicants must satisfy the following general qualifications: Age Qualification: Must be at least 18 years of age. General Education: Completed a 4-year high school course of study or equivalent. Nursing Education: Completed a pre-licensure nursing education program approved by the Board, or a program meeting comparable criteria established in 19CSR01. Criminal Background Check: Completed state and federal criminal history records checks via fingerprint or biometric submission. Application & Fees: Submitted a completed RN endorsement application and paid all required fees in the Nurse Portal. Required Documentation Checklist Completed Endorsement Application: Submitted via the online Nurse Portal along with the application fee. Verification of Original License: Request official license verification via NURSYS . If your original state of licensure does not participate in NURSYS, submit a paper verification form directly to that state board. Proof of Primary State of Residence (PSOR): Copy of your current driver's license, voter registration card, or tax return declaring primary state of residency. Criminal Background Check: Complete state and federal electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
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Conditions & source context
Exact RN portal href observed in official capture links.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
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- Amount
- 125
- Per
- application
- Non-refundable
- Yes
Conditions & source context
RN/APRN endorsement charge includes temporary permit. CBC fee is unverified; no zero-dollar fee inferred. LPN endorsement charge held.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
RN & APRN Endorsement (Includes Temporary Permit) $125.00
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- IdentoGO
Conditions & source context
RN endorsement; fingerprint fee and LPN process not verified.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Criminal Background Check: Complete state and federal electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Required
- Yes
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
Conditions & source context
RN endorsement; nonparticipating original boards use paper verification. Nursys fee not verified.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Verification of Original License: Request official license verification via NURSYS . If your original state of licensure does not participate in NURSYS, submit a paper verification form directly to that state board.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
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- Available
- Yes
Conditions & source context
RN/APRN fee schedule confirms permit inclusion. Duration and complete eligibility held; 180-day graduate permit is an examination pathway and is excluded.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
RN & APRN Endorsement (Includes Temporary Permit)
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
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RN
- Hours
- 12
- Mandated topics
Safe prescribing and drug diversion
- Hours
- 3
- Scope
- Newly licensed RN; within one year of initial license
LPN
- Hours
- 24
- Mandated topics
Substance abuse or drug diversion
- Hours
- 3
Veterans or mental health for veterans and their families
- Hours
- 2
End-of-life care with pain management
- Hours
- 2
- Scope
- One-time for new nurses or nurses new to WV
Conditions & source context
RN: 12 hours per renewal period. LPN: 24 hours every two years, with separately listed required topics. First-license reporting exceptions may apply.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Renewing RNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education (CE) from a Board-approved provider per renewal cycle. Newly Licensed RNs: Require 3 contact hours of CE on safe prescribing and drug diversion, completed within 1 year of receiving your initial license. Standard 12-hour requirement begins in subsequent renewal cycles.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
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Our West Virginia record has nothing sourced for RNs on: any jurisprudence exam, other state-specific requirements, processing time. Get those from the board directly: wvrnboard.wv.gov.
State Board of Nursing · wvrnboard.wv.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026
Built from the West Virginia nursing licensing record and the compact status table. A step appears only when the record has a sourced answer for it; anything else points to the board. Informational only: confirm with the board of nursing before you apply.