Direct answer
RN generally 12 hours per renewal; LPN 24 hours every two years plus specified topic and practice requirements.
West Virginia factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board |
| Public verification | West Virginia official license verification |
| Renewal cycle | RN/APRN Board cycle; LPN annual cycle |
| Renewal deadline | 2026 RN/APRN: May 1–June 30. LPN generally March 1–June 30 annually. |
| Continuing competence | RN generally 12 hours per renewal; LPN 24 hours every two years plus specified topic and practice requirements. |
| Fees | RN renewal $90; confirm LPN fees with the separate LPN Board. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | RN, LPN, APRN |
| Phone | RN: (304) 744-0900; LPN: (304) 558-3572 |
| Physical location | RN Board: 5001 MacCorkle Avenue SW, South Charleston, WV 25309; LPN Board: 101 Dee Drive, Suite 100, Charleston, WV 25311 |
For West Virginia, 4 primary official source records and 7 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Continuing education or continuing competence rule
RN generally 12 hours per renewal; LPN 24 hours every two years plus specified topic and practice requirements.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- Use the credential-specific official instructions.
- Complete any mandatory topic or practice pathway.
- Retain supporting evidence for audit.
Credential-specific checks
West Virginia routing note: West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board is the responsible licensing authority. Every action must be routed to the regulator for the credential.
For West Virginia, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For West Virginia, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For West Virginia, aPRN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
West Virginia RN: verify that the West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other West Virginia credentials.
West Virginia LPN: verify that the West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other West Virginia credentials.
West Virginia APRN: verify that the West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other West Virginia credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Maintain documentation required by the licensing authority.
- Keep certificates and provider details for the published retention period.
- Confirm course completion falls inside the correct renewal period.
- Do not assume RN and APRN requirements are identical.
- Check whether the provider reports electronically or whether you must upload documentation.
Common CE problems
CE or competence is not accepted
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact West Virginia rule: RN generally 12 hours per renewal; LPN 24 hours every two years plus specified topic and practice requirements. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Wrong credential rule
Return to the official source and match RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, certificate or assistant requirements before purchasing additional coursework.
Course not accepted
Confirm provider approval, topic, completion date and documentation against the authority instructions. A generic completion certificate does not prove acceptance.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every West Virginia transaction from a reviewed authority domain (wvrnboard.wv.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through RN: (304) 744-0900; LPN: (304) 558-3572 or the secure West Virginia account.
- Use West Virginia License Verification to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current West Virginia instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For West Virginia, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How much continuing education is required in West Virginia?
RN generally 12 hours per renewal; LPN 24 hours every two years plus specified topic and practice requirements.
Are there mandatory topics?
Use the credential-specific official instructions. Complete any mandatory topic or practice pathway. Retain supporting evidence for audit.
Should I keep completion records?
Maintain documentation required by the licensing authority.
Can CE rules differ by credential?
Yes. RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, assistant and certificate-specific rules can differ.
What if CE does not appear in my account?
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact West Virginia rule: RN generally 12 hours per renewal; LPN 24 hours every two years plus specified topic and practice requirements. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Can I use any online course?
No. Confirm accepted providers, course categories, mandatory topics and completion dates before purchasing a course.
Is CE always required for every renewal?
Not necessarily. Some jurisdictions use practice hours, competency pathways, exemptions or credential-specific requirements. Use the exact official rule.
Where do I verify CE information?
Use the official continuing education or competence source listed in the official-resource directory.
Source-reviewed official resources
West Virginia license verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026West Virginia licensing or renewal portal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the West Virginia status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board; passing the exam does not itself create a West Virginia license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local West Virginia source remains West Virginia official license verification.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside West Virginia official license verification for West Virginia; follow West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
West Virginia RN Board and West Virginia LPN Board ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
West Virginia license verification ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
West Virginia licensing or renewal portal ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026