West Virginia Board of Nursing: Licensing & Opportunities

If you’re looking for a peaceful hideaway away from the tourist circuit, West Virginia may be the place for you. This state may lack the usual attractions of hectic urban areas, yet it draws in with its immense wilderness and outdoor sports. West Virginia is a refuge for nature enthusiasts, offering adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting and tranquil trout fishing, as well as visiting enormous parks and rocky hills. Known fondly as the Mountain State, its scenery is dotted with charming villages, each offering a distinct experience ranging from local restaurants to energetic festivals, all presented with real southern friendliness.

On the employment front, West Virginia has great chances, notably in nursing. With more than 38,000 registered nurses already licensed in the state, many of whom are nearing retirement age, there is an urgent need for new talent. The state has actively reacted to this need via the West Virginia Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, which intends to address the nursing shortfall by graduating an extra 2,200 nurses over the next four years.

This program is part of a larger strategy for stabilizing and strengthening West Virginia’s healthcare system. The Nursing Shortage Study Commission was founded in 2022 to promote educational and career possibilities in nursing while also improving overall hiring and retention of nursing professionals. This preventive strategy is important, since the 2023 Healthcare Workforce Report found that over 49,000 caregivers are now working in West Virginia hospitals, despite obstacles such as decreased college enrollments, staff burnout, and the long-term effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. Notably, the average yearly pay for an RN in the state is $67,640, which, while low by national standards, is offset by a reduced cost of living.

The West Virginia Board of Nursing (WV BON) actively backs these efforts through a number of creative initiatives aimed at establishing a supportive environment for nurses. One such project is Nurse Health Coach training via the Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment (GRaCE) project. This program enables nurses to help their peers by offering resources, advocacy, and responsibility to healthcare workers who face issues that may jeopardize their capacity to practice safely.

Furthermore, the West Virginia Board of Nursing has developed virtual and online support groups, providing a confidential area for nurses to meet and share their experiences. These groups are designed for nurses at various phases of their employment, ranging from new graduates in the initial three years of employment to experienced workers with more than four years of experience. These forums provide a place for addressing the particular problems of nursing in today’s changing healthcare context, ranging from pandemic-related stressors to ordinary work-life balance concerns.

West Virginia is not just meeting its immediate healthcare requirements, but also creating an adaptable and supportive workplace for nurses. These extensive initiatives have put the state on pace to become a desirable area for nurses to both work and reside.

West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses Contacts

West VA Board Of Nursing Laws, Rules & Regulations

The West Virginia Board of Nursing is charged with the essential task of protecting the well-being of the public via strict regulation of qualified nurses and dialysis technicians. This involves confirming the credentials and assuring the continued competency of these healthcare providers.

The West Virginia Board of Nursing’s objective is clear: to improve public health by implementing laws that assure the skills and ethics of registered nurses and dialysis technicians. The Board’s activities include:

1. To guarantee openness and accountability in all actions, we fully adhere to the West Virginia RN Board Code of Conduct and the Open Governmental Meetings Act.
2. Setting guidelines for and accrediting educational programs that train students to become registered professional nurses and certified dialysis technicians.
3. Ensuring that registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and dialysis technicians fulfill high initial and continuous competency requirements.
4. Clearly defining the legal scope of competence for licensed professional nursing and dialysis technician professions is essential for providing safe and effective patient care.
5. Providing a fair and comprehensive disciplinary procedure to address improper conduct and protect the profession’s integrity.
6. Backing the West Virginia Center for Nursing’s objective to improve nursing education and practice throughout the state.
7. Managing programs such as WV Restore, which are intended to improve the well-being and health of nurses in their professional positions.

The West Virginia Board of Nursing composition is intended to include a diverse variety of opinions and areas of competence, ensuring thorough regulation and oversight:

• An advanced-practice registered professional nurse,
• A certified dialysis technician
• Four certified professional nurses from different practice contexts, such as nursing homes, hospital or urgent care, and an educational environment,
• A citizen member that is not an expert on healthcare and contributes an outside viewpoint to the Board’s discussions.

This diversified mix enables the Board to address all aspects of nursing care and education, guaranteeing that all statutory, educational, and ethical criteria are followed for the benefit of both the general public and the profession.

Nursing Board WV Nurse Practice Act

The West Virginia Board of Nursing’s rules serve as the foundation for delivering high-quality care that patients can trust. The scope of practice for APRNs, RNs, and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is well defined, however issues frequently arise about the LPN’s involvement in patient evaluations. While LPNs are not mainly responsible for the evaluation phase, they do play an important supporting role. They collect essential data under the guidance of RNs or APRNs and ensure accurate documentation and reporting, which is vital for patient care continuity.

West Virginia’s nursing regulations set the legal benchmarks for practice:

• APRNs and RNs are empowered to independently undertake comprehensive activities such as assessing patient health, teaching, diagnosing, and evaluating the effectiveness of care.
• LPNs, on the other hand, work closely with more highly licensed nurses or physicians to deliver treatment while sticking to established rules.

When making difficult nursing choices, it is critical to use a thorough approach to guarantee the security and effectiveness of treatment:

• Confirm that the activity aligns with your professional scope.
• Reflect on your current skills and identify if additional training is necessary.
• Evaluate your mental and physical preparedness to complete the assignment.
• Consider the consequences of your actions and be ready to accept responsibility for them.

Delegation to LPNs should follow the well-established nursing method, adapting assignments depending on the patient’s needs and the LPN’s proven competence. Key considerations include:

• Ensuring tasks are within the LPN’s trained abilities and do not require the RN’s complex decision-making.
• Verifying the LPN’s competence through education and practical evaluations.
• Providing consistent supervision, especially for tasks that stretch beyond basic care levels.

Continual learning is critical in nursing. Both RNs and APRNs are responsible for fostering an environment where education is ongoing, and skills are regularly updated. This ensures practices evolve alongside medical advancements and patient care needs.

State Board of Nursing West Virginia Licensure Eligibility

To become a licensed nurse in West Virginia, you must first comprehend the West Virginia Board of Nursing overall standards. Whether you want to be a Registered Nurse (RN) or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), understanding the fundamental qualifying requirements is critical.

Eligibility criteria for registered nurses (RNs):

1. At least eighteen years old.
2. The minimum prerequisite is a high school diploma or equivalent, accompanied by completing a board-approved prelicensure nurse education program.
3. A detailed criminal history check using fingerprints or similar biometric data.

Eligibility for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs):

1. An active RN license, either from West Virginia or, if you live in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, a current multi-state RN license from another NLC state.
2. Degree from an accredited graduate school.
3. Proof of national certification in the APRN job and demographic emphasis that corresponds to your educational preparation must be presented directly to the Board by the certifying organization.

Understanding these criteria is just the beginning. Let’s take a deeper look at the procedure and the elements involved.

Board of Nursing West Virginia Licensure by Examination

Step 1: Education

Get a diploma in nursing from a recognized university. While an associate degree enables you to become an RN, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is useful if you want to advance to Certified Nurse Practitioner.

Step 2: Application and Background Check

Submit your licensure application through the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses Nurse Portal, including a $70 fee. You’ll also need to consent to a federal background check and schedule fingerprinting via IdentoGO using the code 228NJX.

Step 3: Register for the NCLEX

Register with Pearson VUE. Once authorized by the West Virginia Board of Nursing, schedule your examination.

Submit an application via the Nurse Portal at least 45 days prior to the desired NCLEX-RN date. After receiving the Authorization to Test (ATT), ensure you take the NCLEX within 90 days. Failure to pass after multiple attempts requires additional Board-specified remedial actions.

Step 4: Achieve Licensure

Upon passing the NCLEX, you’ll receive your RN license. Consider converting it to a multistate license for a $7 fee to enhance your employment flexibility, especially useful if you’re aiming for CNP qualifications.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Opting for an endorsement is another route to getting licensed for those already holding a valid license in another state. This method speeds the procedure, which normally takes 14 working days to complete when all the paperwork is provided, and simply skips the examination step.

You must log onto the West Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Portal, submit your application, and schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted and background checked.

To be eligible for a license by endorsement, you have to ensure:

• Your existing license is valid and has no restrictions.
• You have no state or federal felony convictions.
• Any misdemeanor convictions related to nursing are absent, though this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Temporary Permit

You can apply not only for the license, but also for a temporary permit, which permits you to work while your complete license is being handled. This might be an excellent approach to quickly move into your new career. These licenses last for 90 days after the date of issue. 

It’s worth noting that these interim permissions cannot be renewed. If the West Virginia Board of Nursing does not issue permanent licensure during this term, the interim permission will expire immediately.

The West Virginia Board of Nursing may also award a temporary permission to persons awaiting examination for licensing, particularly fresh graduates from a recognized nursing institution. The permit is available for up to 90 days after graduation, covering the delay until the NCLEX-RN test results are revealed. Nurses with this form of temporary authorization must work under the close oversight of a registered RN, APRN, physician, or dentist. This interim license, like the endorsement permit, is not renewable, and it is not accessible to anybody who has failed the NCLEX-RN.

WV Board of Nursing Licensing and Certification

After getting your West Virginia RN license, the next step toward becoming a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) is to finish a graduate-level nurse practitioner program. These programs, culminating in a master’s degree or greater, are available in a variety of specializations:

• Adult/gerontology
• Family
• Neonatal
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatric/mental health
• Women’s health/gender-related

Programs include flexible scheduling, enabling you to continue practicing as an RN while furthering your education.

In order to work as a CNP in West Virginia, you need to obtain national certification. Depending on your expertise, you can earn this via one of the recognized boards:

• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
• American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification Program
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
• National Certification Corporation

Each certifying organization focuses on a distinct area of practice, so choose the one that best matches your specialty. The chosen organization will detail the certification procedure, guiding you through the essential stages.

Once certified, you’ll need to gather the following documents to gain full practice authority:

• Official transcripts from your graduate program
• Proof of national certification
• Your current RN license

These documents, along with a $35 application fee, should be submitted through the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses Nurse Portal.

Furthermore, if you wish to exercise prescriptive authority, you have to submit a collaboration agreement. This paper has to be printed, signed, and notarized prior to be submitted to the board. Once finalized, you will obtain a license and prescriptive authority, allowing you to start working as a CNP in West Virginia.

Telehealth registration

Registered nurses or advanced practice registered nurses that are not licensed in West Virginia can still extend your care to patients in the state through telehealth services. Telehealth services are considered to occur at the patient’s location, and for these reasons the state allows a specific limited scope registration. While it permits individuals living in West Virginia to receive telehealth services from a distance, it prohibits practitioners to practice physically inside the state or deliver treatments from other countries.

• You must submit proof of your licensing from both the state in which you were first licensed and the jurisdiction where you are presently employed.

Advanced practice registered nurses must produce primary source documentation of their certification or recertification, demonstrating their particular abilities and credentials.

• Fully disclose any past disciplinary actions, current investigations, or limitations related to your professional license.
• Access the Nurse Portal on the Board’s website to complete your application and submit all required documentation and verifications, accompanied by a $100 nonrefundable application fee.

The West Virginia Board of Nursing will need at least 10 working days to examine all of the material supplied. This registration is good for one year and ends on October 31, unless renewed on time. Renewal involves reconfirming eligibility, submitting an application and demonstrating compliance with all continuing education requirements.

WV Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

To be eligible for a multistate license in West Virginia, you must meet many critical requirements, each meant to maintain the highest standards of nursing practice.

• West Virginia has to be the primary state of residence.
• You have to have graduated out of a Board-approved nursing program, which ensures that your education meets national requirements.

If you completed an overseas nursing program, completing an English proficiency examination is required to enable successful communication in healthcare settings.

• Passing the NCLEX-RN examination
• You must either be suitable for or already have a valid, unencumbered nursing license.
• All candidates must go through federal as well as state fingerprint criminal history checks.
• Applicants must not have any state or federal criminal convictions.

Any misdemeanor convictions linked to the nursing profession are reviewed on an individual case basis.

Once you have confirmed your eligibility according to these requirements, you may begin the application process. This includes submitting the needed papers and passing any necessary inspections. Maintaining honesty and completeness in your application is critical to ensuring a smooth approval process.

West Virginia Board of Nursing Application Process

The West Virginia Board of Nursing manages all licensing actions, including new license applications, renewals, and reinstatements, through the Nurse Portal. To begin, create an account:

1. Set up a new account by going to the West Virginia Board of Nursing login.
2. If you already hold a West Virginia license, choose “Yes” to link it to your new account. If this is your initial license application, choose “No” to advance.
3. Choose your license type from the options provided, whether RN, DT (Dialysis Technician), or APRN, and then use the ‘Lookup License’ feature to link your existing license to your portal account.
4. Fill in your personal details and submit your contact information.
5. Confirm your email address

To complete your registration, you must open the registration page within the next 24 hours. If you fail to access the sign up link within a period of 24 hours, you must resume the registration procedure.

As for background checks, keep in mind that the West Virginia Board of Nursing will not accept fingerprinting cards from applicants; they have to be handled through IdentoGo. Results usually take two to three business days to make it to the Board. The background check results may be submitted to the Board for a maximum of 12 months before graduation.

For advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) seeking prescriptive power in West Virginia, the procedure is methodical and guided by strong criteria to maintain the highest levels of patient safety and care. Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating these criteria and effectively applying for prescriptive authority:

• Launch the process by accessing the Nurse Portal once you hold an active WV APRN license. Submit the RXA application and the associated fee directly through the portal.
• Show proof that you have completed a graduate-level advanced pharmacology course. The training program must be authorized by the Board and include a minimum of 45 contact hours.
• Provide documentation demonstrating the application of pharmacology in your clinical training.
• Show proof of at least 15 graduate-level contact hours in advanced pharmacology completed within the last two years.
• Submit a collaborative agreement form with a licensed physician who holds an unencumbered license in West Virginia, a contiguous state, or from the Veterans Administration. This requirement applies for the first three years (36 months) of active prescriptive authority.

Alternatively, provide documentation of at least three years of active prescriptive authority in West Virginia or another state to bypass the initial collaborative agreement requirement.

• Use the Prescriptive Authority Change Application to add, dissolve, or alter a collaborative practice agreement (CPA).

Transition between prescriptive authority with a CPA to one without, depending on your practice needs and qualifications.

• Once all papers have been validated and your application has been submitted, your prescriptive power will be given in the order they were received.

All communication with the West Virginia Board of Nursing takes place through the Message Center. In case of a pending license application, applicants should check the message center on a regular basis to determine whether you need to keep up with the Board.

West Virginia Board of Nursing License Renewal

Every two years, registered nurses have to complete 12 hours of continuing education with an approved CE provider. This cycle corresponds to license renewals, which happen biennially in years with an even number.

If you prescribe, manage, or dispense controlled substances within the first year after getting your license from the Board, you must complete 3 hours of continuing education that addresses drug diversion, controlled substance prescribing, and opioid antagonist prescribing and administration training.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) CE Requirements

WV Board of Nursing license renewal for APRN licenses occurs every odd year by June 30th. The CE criteria must be completed within the licensure term, which begins on the very first day of license. Make certain that any CE course you select provides a thorough agenda or booklet outlining the topic and number of hours dedicated to pharmacotherapeutics and management of clinical practice.

Every two years, APRNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education, split equally across pharmacotherapeutics and clinical management techniques . APRNs, like RNs, must complete three hours of continuing education on drug diversion, optimal procedures in controlled drugs, and opioid antagonist delivery during their first year of licensing.

It’s crucial to keep these documents since the West Virginia Board of Nursing may perform audits to verify compliance with the CE requirements.

West Virginia Nursing Board License Cost

The West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses has developed a program that waives initial licensure fees for low-income persons and military families, therefore increasing access to nursing jobs. However, these exceptions aren’t applicable to license renewals or education permits.

Eligibility for Fee Waivers:

• Low-Income Individuals: Those having household adjusted gross earnings less than 130% of the federal poverty line, or those registered in state or federal assistance programs like TANF, Medicaid, or SNAP.
• Military Families: Active duty members of the United States armed services, National Guard, or reserve parts, honorably discharged soldiers and their wives, and the spouses of dead military members that have not remarried.

To qualify for these waivers, eligible persons must submit either a Low Income Initial Licensure Fee Waiver Application or a Military Family Initial Licensure Fee Waiver Application, according to their qualification requirements.

Fees without the waiver are as follows:

• Endorsement with Temporary Permit: $125
• Licensure by Examination: $70
• RN License Renewal: $90
• Advanced Practice Renewal: $90
• Limited Prescriptive Authority: $125

WV RN Board of Nursing Complaints and Disciplinary Actions

The West Virginia Board of Nursing has the ability to enforce standards by disciplining nurses who fail to follow professional norms and regulatory restrictions. The board can refuse, revoke, suspend, or reprimand a license for numerous reasons, including:

• Fraudulent behavior in obtaining a license.
• Felony convictions.
• Professional incompetence due to negligence or other reasons.
• Substance abuse issues.
• Mental incompetence.
• Unprofessional conduct.
• Unlicensed practice.
• Irregular prescription or dispensing practices.

Anyone can raise concerns about a nurse’s conduct. Upon receiving a complaint, the board logs it and may use investigative tools such as subpoenas and interviews to determine its validity. The nurse involved receives a notice and has 14 days to respond. Based on the facts, the board determines whether to reject the claim, continue the inquiry, or take disciplinary action.

If differences are found, the matter may be forwarded to the Disciplinary Review Committee (DRC) for suggestions. Negotiations for consent agreements may take place if the board finds probable cause for action. If unresolved, the case is set for a formal hearing.

A disciplinary hearing provides a fair chance for the nurse to present their case. Failure to attend a hearing may lead to the board accepting the charges as true and proceeding with the suggested disciplinary actions. The board’s decision post-hearing can range from revoking or suspending a license to imposing fines or placing the nurse on probation.

West Virginia Board of Nursing License Lookup

West Virginia board of Nursing license verification is a clear-cut process, equipped with dedicated tools to ensure accuracy and ease for all involved. WV BON provides a free License Lookup Service that allows to confirm the status of any RN or APRN license registered in West Virginia. 

In case an official verification is needed to another state board for the purpose of endorsement, the NURSYS system provides a standardized approach. This service ensures that the verification is accepted across state lines, facilitating smoother transitions for nurses seeking to practice in different states.

For APRNs needing to verify their credentials to another state board or for a Board of Nursing West Virginia license lookup, detailed instructions and assistance are available through the West Virginia Board of Nursing, depending on the case.

WV Nursing Board Useful Online Resources

• West Virginia Administrative Code WV Board of Registered Nurses
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Determining Scope Of Practice For Licensed Nurses 
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Accepting & Rejecting an Assignment
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Law/Scope
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Board Licensing
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Registered Nurse License Renewal Continuing Education Requirements 
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Resources
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Members and Staff
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Health Program
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Nurse Virtual Support Group
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Publications
• West Virginia Board of Nursing Meetings
• Nurse Licensure Guidance
• Board of Nursing Licensure Requirements
• CE Broker
• West Virginia Office of Nursing Education and Workforce Development
• Background Check Information
• West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses
• Approved APRN Licensure Certification Organizations and Exams
• 2024 RN Renewal Information