West Virginia Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements
Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.
Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.
What the West Virginia data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s
To practice as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in West Virginia, the state licensing board requires 1,142 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under West Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".
Upfront cost is $110, with renewal running $78 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.
For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.
Licensing Ease Score
A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.
Licensing Requirements in West Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in West Virginia? ▼
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in West Virginia? ▼
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Does West Virginia require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in West Virginia? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in West Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how West Virginia's licensed practical nurse (lpn) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in every state
- Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed practical nurse (lpn) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
- See how West Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. West Virginia overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the West Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.
Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.