Become a Nurse in West Virginia – Licensure & Requirements
Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the West Virginia RN Board or the West Virginia LPN Board before applying for licensure.
Nursing Licenses in West Virginia | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Yes |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | Yes |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
West Virginia Nursing Salaries
WV Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Charleston Annual Mean Wage | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Annual Mean Wage | Morgantown Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $37,500 | $39,290 | $39,430 | $37,420 |
Registered Nurse | $63,220 | $63,870 | $64,240 | $65,800 |
Nurse Practitioner | $103,170 | $111,720 | $97,460 | $94,510 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $188,580 | $211,960 | $169,650 | $204,040 |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates West Virginia in April 2020.
There are many paths to becoming a nurse in West Virginia. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.
In addition to nursing salaries in West Virginia, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of West Virginia nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in West Virginia, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Compact State Status
West Virginia is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
West Virginia Prescriptive Authority
According to the House Bill 4334 of West Virginia Legislature, Certified Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists may apply for prescriptive authority of controlled substances under schedule III to V in collaboration with physicians.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in West Virginia
APRNs are defined in West Virginia as certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, or clinical nurse specialists.
Education: Board-approved graduate-level education program
Examination: Varies according to specialty area
Certification Required: Varies according to specialty area, but must include Registered Nurse license.
Fees:
- $35 Application Fee
- Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)
Experience: Varies according to specialty area
Renewal: APRN licenses expire June 30th of every odd year. APRNs must provide proof of at least 24 contact hours with 12 hours in pharmacotherapeutics, where 8 of those hours may be used for prescriptive authority renewal/reinstatement. The other 12 hours must be in clinical management of patients.
Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Registered Nurse (RN) in West Virginia
Education: Accredited program of registered professional nursing education.
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $70 Application Fee for Licensure by Examination
- $100 Fee for Licensure by Endorsement Without Temporary Permit
- $125 Fee for Licensure by Endorsement With Temporary Permit
- $25 Fee for Licensure by Endorsement With 90-Day Temporary Permit Only
- $200 Examination Fee
Endorsement: RNs may pursue licensure by endorsement in West Virginia by verification from the original licensing state.
Renewal: Registered nurse licenses in West Virginia expire annually on October 31. Twelve contact hours of continuing education are required for renewal.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in West Virginia
Education: Accredited program of practical nursing
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $75 Application Fee for Licensure by Examination
- $50 Application Fee for Licensure by Endorsement
- $200 Examination Fee
Endorsement: LPNs may pursue licensure by endorsement in West Virginia by verification from the original licensing state.
Renewal: Licensed practical nurse licenses in West Virginia expire annually on June 30. A total of 24 contact hours and 400 hours of practice as an LPN is required in each two year reporting period.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information on the APRN and RN licenses in West Virginia was retrieved from the West Virginia RN Board. Information for LPN license in West Virginia was retrieved from the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Information last updated: April 2020