How to get your RN license in West Virginia

Getting licensed in West Virginia at a glance

Steps to get licensed in West Virginia

1. 1Graduate from a state-approved RN nursing program (ADN or BSN).
2. 2Apply for licensure by examination through the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WV RN Board) and pay the $70 application fee.
3. 3Register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 exam fee.
4. 4Complete the required fingerprint-based criminal background check.
5. 5Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT), then schedule and pass the NCLEX-RN.
6. 6Apply for a temporary/graduate-nurse permit if you need to work before the permanent license issues.
7. 7The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WV RN Board) issues your RN license once the exam and background check clear.

Start at the source: West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WV RN Board). Already licensed elsewhere and moving to West Virginia? See licensure by endorsement instead.

West Virginia RN licensing FAQ

Does West Virginia require fingerprinting or a background check for a nursing license?

Yes. West Virginia requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check to get an initial RN license. WV Code §30-7-6 requires applicants to have "completed a criminal background check, as required by §30-1D-1 et seq." and §30-1D-1(c)(2) specifies the check "shall be based on fingerprints submitted to the West Virginia State Police or its assigned agent for forwarding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation"; the WV RN Board implements this via IdentoGO fingerprinting (Service Code 228NJX).

How much does the West Virginia RN license application cost?

The initial West Virginia RN license-by-examination application fee is $70. This is separate from the NCLEX-RN exam fee ($200 to Pearson VUE) and any fingerprint/background-check vendor fee. Confirm the current amount on the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WV RN Board) portal before you pay.

Can I work in West Virginia before my RN license is issued?

West Virginia issues a temporary/graduate-nurse permit so you can work under supervision while your license is pending. WV Code §30-7-8a authorizes the Board to "issue a temporary permit to a person applying for a license under this article"; per Board practice a graduate-nurse temporary permit is issued to applicants awaiting initial NCLEX-RN examination results, expiring 90 days after graduation or upon results being announced, whichever is first. Confirm the exact conditions with the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WV RN Board).

How do I apply for my first RN license in West Virginia?

Graduate from an approved nursing program, register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE, apply for licensure by examination through the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WV RN Board), complete the required background check, then pass the NCLEX-RN. The board issues your license once every requirement clears.

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