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West Virginia RN Board
West Virginia LPN Board
Processing time
4–8 weeks
Fees
License RN: $100
License LPN: $50
Renewal RN: $90
Renewal LPN: $40
Temporary license RN: $40
Compact state
Yes
Application links
RN Nurse Portal
LPN Nurse Portal
RN
Biennually, every two years, prior to June 30th*
LPN
Annually, every year prior to June 30th
RN
Yes
Valid for a period of 180 days or until permanent license is issued or denied
LPN
No
RN
12 hours of continuing education required within a 2-year licensure period
Three mandatory hours of continuing education hours must be on the topic of drug diversion training, best-practice prescribing of controlled substances training and training on prescribing and administration of an opioid antagonist if they prescribe, administer, or dispense controlled substances
This education must be completed within one year of receiving one’s initial license from the Board
LPN
24 hours of continuing education required within a 2-year period to be reported to board in EVEN-numbered years
Three mandatory hours of continuing education hours must be on the topic of drug diversion training, best-practice prescribing of controlled substances training and training on prescribing and administration of an opioid antagonist if they prescribe, administer, or dispense controlled substances
This education must be completed within one year of receiving one's initial license from the Board
400 Clocked hours during each 2-year licensing period must also be reported to the board upon renewal
*This is a change from previous years. Please visit West Virginia's RN Board site for more details. West Virginia is currently shifting their renewal deadlines. Some RNs may still be exempt from this renewal date.
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information in our Nursing Licensing Guide, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Regulations, requirements, and processes can change frequently. Healthcare travelers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult directly with the respective state board's official website to ensure they have the most accurate and up-to-date information. Fusion Medical Staffing is not liable for any outdated information or errors in the guide.
Processing Time
4-8 weeks
From complete application
Application Fee
$100
Renewal: $90 · Temp license available
Compact (Nurse Licensure Compact)
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact member state
Renewal
12 hours
Every 2 years
West Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member. If you hold an active multistate license from another NLC state and that is your legal state of residence, you can practice immediately in West Virginia without applying for endorsement. If you are not a multistate licensee or are changing residency to West Virginia, you must apply for endorsement; compact privilege terminates upon WV residency establishment and triggers a mandatory 60-day application requirement.
For travelers, this means you can begin a West Virginia assignment immediately if your home state is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member and your license is set to multistate status. However, if you establish West Virginia residency during your assignment, your compact privilege becomes invalid and you must apply for a West Virginia license through endorsement.
West Virginia uses a mail/pdf application endorsement process for registered nurses already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $100 application fee.
License verification is handled through Nursys or direct board verification. West Virginia requires verification from every state where you hold or have held a registered nurse license, so request verification early to avoid delays.
Background check requirements vary by applicant — confirm the current fingerprinting and screening steps with the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible, since background check processing is one of the most common sources of delay.
After all components are received, the Board reviews applications on a rolling basis. Check the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses website for status updates on your application.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement Application | $100 |
| Renewal | $90 (every 2 years) |
| Fingerprinting | $25-75 (fingerprinting) |
| Nursys verification | $30 |
| Estimated First-Time Cost | $155–$205 |
Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting. Many staffing agencies, including Fusion Medical Staffing, offer licensure reimbursement programs to help offset these expenses.
West Virginia issues temporary nursing licenses valid for 180 days, allowing registered nurses to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed. For travelers, this is often the fastest path to starting an assignment.
Eligibility requirements:
Issuance timeline:
Denial risks:
Important for travelers: Temporary license is immediately void upon final denial of permanent endorsement application—no grace period; practitioner must cease work the date denial is issued. Temporary license cannot be extended or renewed; if permanent license processing exceeds 180 days, temporary privilege expires and practitioner cannot work unless expedited by other means (none available).
West Virginia registered nurse endorsement applications typically take 4-8 weeks to process. The timeline is subject to moderate variability depending on the completeness of your application and external factors.
In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 3-4 weeks if primary state verification clears immediately and application submitted before board review cutoff.
Common sources of delay:
West Virginia does not offer an expedited processing track. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.
West Virginia requires 12 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for registered nurse license renewal.
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Requirements and processes can change frequently. Healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to verify details directly with West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses's official website.
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