Requirements

This pathway is for applicants graduating from an accredited pre-licensure nursing program who have not previously taken or passed the NCLEX-RN.

Statutory Eligibility Requirements

In accordance with W. Va. Code § 30-7-1 et seq. and 19CSR03, all applicants for initial licensure 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 application and paid all required fees in the Nurse Portal.

Required Documentation Checklist

• Completed Online Application: Submitted through the Nurse Portal along with the required application fee.
• Official Final Transcripts: Sent directly from your nursing education program to the Board indicating degree conferred and graduation date.
• Pearson VUE NCLEX Registration: Register and pay the examination fee directly with Pearson VUE.
• State & Federal Background Check: Fingerprint completion via IdentoGO using the Board's required service code.

Guidance & Downloads

• License by Exam Flowchart (PDF)
• Requirements for Exam and Repeat Applicants

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.

RN Telehealth

• For RNs currently licensed in another state providing telehealth care to patients located in West Virginia
• Must hold an active RN license in another US jurisdiction
• Must renew annually during the September 1 to October 31 renewal window.

Downloads

• License by Endorsement Flowchart (PDF)

Covers initial licensure and prescriptive authority eligibility for Nurse Practitioners (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM).

Statutory Eligibility & Licensure Requirements

In accordance with W. Va. Code § 30-7-1 et seq. and 19CSR07, all APRN applicants must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Active RN Licensure & Application: Must hold an active West Virginia RN license (if your PSOR is WV or a non-NLC state) or an active NLC multistate RN license. Submit the completed APRN application along with required fees in the Nurse Portal.
• Accredited Graduate Education: Graduation from an APRN graduate program accredited by a nursing accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• Official Transcripts & Core Coursework: Transcripts sent directly from the graduate institution indicating graduation date, credential conferred, total clinical hours, and evidence of completion of separate graduate courses in Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology.
• National Certification: Official verification sent directly from a Board-recognized certifying body confirming active national certification in your specified APRN role and population focus.

Advanced Practice Telehealth

• For APRNs currently licensed in another state providing telehealth care to patients located in West Virginia
• Must hold an active APRN license in another US jurisdiction
• Must renew annually during the September 1 to October 31 renewal window.

Prescriptive Authority Requirements (Optional)

• Advanced Pharmacology Hours: Documentation of 45 contact hours of advanced pharmacology coursework completed within the past 3 years.
• Collaborative Practice: Executed Collaborative Pharmacy Agreement (if applicable under current state practice rules).

Dialysis Technicians:

• Proof of completion of a Board-approved Dialysis Technician training program.
• Current national certification as a hemodialysis technician.
• Completed background check via IdentoGO and submitted application via Nurse Portal.

• Go to Dialysis Technicians page →