Licensing authority
West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses
Conditions & source context
RN Board. LPN licensing is administered by a separate Board.
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
WV
West Virginia
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
Multistate license recognizedWV
Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here
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.
Supporting evidence and conditions
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 · verified 15 Oct 2026
- Law enacted
- Yes HB 2522 (2017); W. Va. Code Article 7F
- In force
- Yes since 19 Jan 2018
- Issuing multistate licenses
- Yes issuing multistate licenses since 19 Jan 2018
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Licensing authority
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Authority website
Conditions & source context
RN Board; LPN requirements use the separate LPN Board sources.
Licensing portal
Conditions & source context
RN application portal.
Contact
- Phone
- 304-744-0900
- Fax
- 304-744-0600
- Address
- 5001 Maccorkle Ave, SW, South Charleston, WV 25309
Conditions & source context
RN Board contact.
Source quotation
West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses 5001 Maccorkle Ave, SW South Charleston , WV 25309 United States Ph 304-744-0900 Fx 304-744-0600
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Governing law
W. Va. Code §30-7-1 et seq.; 19CSR03
Conditions & source context
RN licensure; LPN authority not reviewed.
Source quotation
In accordance with W. Va. Code § 30-7-1 et seq. and 19CSR03
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
License requirements
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
Licence types
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
- Multistate
- Yes
LPN
- State title
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Notes
- Separate LPN Board; multistate issuance not verified in this pass.
Conditions & source context
RN and LPN license categories independently captured from their respective regulators; APRN not comprehensively reviewed.
Multistate licences issued
Yes
Conditions & source context
RN Board issues multistate licenses.
Source quotation
A multistate RN license allows a registered nurse to practice physically or via telehealth in their primary state of residence and all participating compact jurisdictions without obtaining additional licenses.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Licence term
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- The same date for everyone
- Fixed date
- RN: June 30 of even-numbered years
Conditions & source context
RN renewal schedule; initial term length and LPN expiration rule not fully reviewed.
Source quotation
Registered Nurse (RN) May 1 - June 30 (Every Even Year) RN licenses renew biennially during even-numbered years (e.g., 2026, 2028).
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Yes
Conditions & source context
RN by-examination checklist. LPN initial-examination requirements not reviewed.
Source quotation
Pearson VUE NCLEX Registration: Register and pay the examination fee directly with Pearson VUE.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Working across state lines
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
Home-state residence rule
- Keys off home-state residence
- Yes
- If your home state changes
- Relocating compact-state residents apply for endorsement within 60 days; when WV is no longer PSOR the WV license transitions to single-state.
- Detail
- WV PSOR is required for a WV-issued multistate RN license.
Conditions & source context
RN Board guidance. LPN Board PSOR instructions were not independently reviewed.
Source quotation
West Virginia must be declared as your legal Primary State of Residence (PSOR) to hold a WV multistate license.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
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.
NLC law enacted
- Status
- Yes
- Citation
- HB 2522 (2017); W. Va. Code Article 7F
Conditions & source context
Act was passed April 4, 2017; that legislative-passage date is not a verified governor signing/enactment date, so enacted_date stays null.
NLC law in force
- Status
- Yes
- Effective
- 2018-01-19
Conditions & source context
NCSBN's NLC implementation table (rev. Aug 2026) lists West Virginia as implemented on Jan. 19, 2018.
Issuing multistate licences
- Status
- Yes
- Connected
19 Jan 2018
Conditions & source context
Explicit historical implementation row corroborated by current RN Board compact page. Map internal revision stamp is inconsistent with later entries; it is not used as national currency proof.
Apply from another state
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Endorsement available
Yes
Conditions & source context
RN only; LPN endorsement route held.
What it is called
Registered Nurse (RN) by Endorsement
Where to apply
Conditions & source context
Exact RN portal href observed in official capture links.
What you must provide
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.
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
Application fee
- 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.
Source quotation
RN & APRN Endorsement (Includes Temporary Permit) $125.00
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- IdentoGO
Conditions & source context
RN endorsement; fingerprint fee and LPN process not verified.
Source quotation
Criminal Background Check: Complete state and federal electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Temporary licence
- 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.
Source quotation
RN & APRN Endorsement (Includes Temporary Permit)
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursys verification
- Required
- Yes
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
Conditions & source context
RN endorsement; nonparticipating original boards use paper verification. Nursys fee not verified.
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
Renewal and education
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
Renewal interval (years)
2
Conditions & source context
RN current biennial cycle.
Source quotation
RN licenses renew biennially during even-numbered years (e.g., 2026, 2028).
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal competency and CE
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.
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
If your licence lapses
RN license lapses if not renewed by June 30; submit Reinstatement Application in the Nurse Portal. Fee is $115.
Conditions & source context
RN route only. The complete reinstatement checklist is unverified.
Source quotation
Failure to renew by June 30 causes your license to lapse immediately.
wvrnboard.wv.gov · State Board of Nursing
License verification
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Licence lookup
Conditions & source context
Exact RN lookup href observed in capture links. LPN lookup not reviewed.
Ask the board of nursing
West Virginia's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — wvrnboard.wv.gov.
- Jurisprudence exam. Does West Virginia require a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
- Criminal-history requirements. What criminal-history requirements apply to nursing licensure in West Virginia?
- Conditions for privilege. What do I have to satisfy for multistate privilege to apply in West Virginia?
- Extra state requirements. Does West Virginia add anything on top of the compact?
- How long it takes. How long will West Virginia take to process my application?