Registered Nurse / West Virginia
2026 data West Virginia board official source

West Virginia Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the West Virginia data shows for Registered Nurses

West Virginia's path to registered nurse licensure runs through 2,284 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-RN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. West Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

The initial price tag is $100, and renewal costs $60 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 4 weeks to process once complete. The license also carries an ongoing 12-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For registered nurses, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Registered Nurse · West Virginia

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.

Education & Training F
2,284 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$125
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$43/yr
$85 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in West Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,284 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$125
Renewal Fee
$85
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
4 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All West Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with West Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia requires 2284 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-RN), and an initial fee of $125. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in West Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed registered nurse in West Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements including 2284 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the West Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for registered nurses: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the West Virginia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does West Virginia require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
West Virginia does require a background check before issuing a registered nurse license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $85 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in West Virginia? ▼
The initial licensing fee in West Virginia is $100. The renewal fee is $60 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 4 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in West Virginia? ▼
In West Virginia, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 4 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in West Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how West Virginia's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse 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.