State of West Virginia
West Virginia.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
12
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topic
1
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ West Virginia requires registered nurses to complete 12 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in West Virginia.
West Virginia has approximately 28,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 1.8 million. WVU Medicine and CAMC Health System are the largest employers. West Virginia faces significant healthcare challenges including high rates of chronic disease, opioid use disorders, and nursing shortages, particularly in rural areas.
West Virginia requires completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education related to pharmacology if holding prescriptive authority, plus completion of the Board's online Nurse Practice Act course. The minimal general CE requirements reflect the state's reliance on employer-based education.
Common practice settings
WVU Medicine
The academic health system provides specialty care throughout the state.
Community Hospitals
Many communities rely on small hospitals facing financial challenges and staffing shortages.
Coal Communities
Former coal regions face severe economic challenges and health disparities.
Renewal tips
01
Complete the online Nurse Practice Act course as required.
02
Prescribers must complete pharmacology CE.
03
Consider opioid-related education given West Virginia's substance use challenges.
04
Document continuing education for your professional portfolio.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in West Virginia
West Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work across state lines in Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, or Pennsylvania.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
12
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Safe Prescribing/Drug Diversion Required within 1 year of initial licensure for new RNs | 3h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- 12 contact hours required per 2-year renewal cycle.
- Hours must be from Board-approved providers.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Veterans/Mental Health Mental health for veterans and families | 2h |
Substance Abuse/Drug Diversion Required each renewal | 3h |
End-of-Life Care with Pain Management One-time requirement for new LPNs | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- 24 contact hours required per 2-year renewal cycle.
- Must have 400 hours of practice in 2-year period.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
24
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 8h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Prescribers need pharmacology CE.
Additional requirements
In context. West Virginia requires 12 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Pennsylvania requires more (30 hours), while Maryland has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, West Virginia allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Track your CEUs
Log courses, monitor progress toward West Virginia requirements.
Open tracker →
Compare states
See how West Virginia stacks up.
Compare →
Compact license guide
What the NLC means for West Virginia nurses.
Read guide →
Audit preparation
Be ready if West Virginia audits your CE compliance.
Read guide →
Verify with the source
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.
(304) 558-3596
90 MacCorkle Avenue SW, Suite 203, South Charleston, WV 25303
Verify before relying on this