healthcare

A Guide to Nursing in West Virginia

Goodwork author

Goodwork author

— 2 min read
A Guide to Nursing in West Virginia

đź©ş West Virginia Nursing Guide 2025: Licenses, Hospitals, CEUs, and Careers

From whitewater rafting in New River Gorge to a buzzing Appalachian music scene, West Virginia has plenty to offer. But for nurses, the real appeal lies in its tight-knit healthcare community, affordable cost of living, and nationally recognized hospitals.

Whether you're a practicing RN, an LPN looking to upskill, or brand new to the field, this guide covers everything you need to know about licensing, renewals, continuing education, career outlook, and top hospitals in the Mountain State.

👉 Explore local job openings for nurses

đź“‹ Nursing Licensure in West Virginia

âś… Licensing by Examination

âś… Licensing by Endorsement

  • Endorsement fee: $100 (RN), $35 (APRN), $125 (Rx authority)
  • Temporary permit: $25
  • WV NLC Multi-State upgrade fee: $7
  • Compact State: Yes – WV is part of the NLC

🔄 License Renewal in West Virginia

  • Renewal fee: $67 (RN), $35 (APRN)
  • Renewal cycle: Annually, before October 31
  • Check status or apply: WV RN Verification Portal

đź“š Continuing Education Requirements

  • RNs: 12 contact hours per year
    • 2 hours in mental health (veterans/families)
    • 3 hours in substance use (initial); 1 hour for renewals
    • 2 hours in pain management/end-of-life (initial only)
  • LPNs: 24 contact hours every 2 years + 400 clock hours of practice
  • APRNs: 24 contact hours biennially (12 in pharmacotherapeutics)

đź’» Get free, ANCC-accredited CEUs accepted by the WV RN Board.

đź’Ľ Job & Salary Outlook

  • Average RN salary in WV (2025): $75,800 (vs. U.S. avg. $86,070)
  • Projected RN job growth in WV (2025–2030): +6%
  • Demand hotspots: Rural hospitals, long-term care, home health

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and WV Center for Nursing

🏥 Top Hospitals for Nurses in West Virginia

1. West Virginia University Hospitals – Morgantown

2. Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) – Charleston

  • High-performing in 12 adult procedures
  • Offers trauma care, stroke units, and advanced diagnostics
  • CAMC Career Portal

3. St. Mary’s Medical Center – Huntington

🤝 Professional Nursing Organizations

🎓 Certification & Licensing Pathway

  1. Education
  2. NCLEX Exam
    • Apply 6 weeks before graduation
    • Must pass to become licensed
    • Retake eligible after 45 days if needed
  3. Clinical Experience
    • Gain supervised clinical hours through school or post-grad programs
  4. Specialty Certification

đź“ž Contact the West Virginia RN Board

Read more