West Virginia Continuing Education Requirements for Nurses and License Renewal

Update - New License Expiration Date and Deadlines
HB 4110 took effect in May of 2024 and directs the RN Board to change their license expiration and renewal end dates to June 30. As a result:

• This Year: When you renew your RN license in 2024, it will expire on June 30, 2026.????
• Future Renewals: Starting in 2026, renewals will begin on May 1 and end on June 30, with renewed licenses expiring on June 30, 2028.

Mandatory Subjects:

• None*

Additional requirement for RNs prescribing, administering, or dispensing controlled substances:

• Drug Diversion and Safe Prescribing Practices – 3 contact hours within 1 year of initial licensure

*Per WV Code 30-1-7a et.seq., the mental health conditions common to veterans and their families CE is no longer required. For more information please see House Bill 3317 or the WV Board of Nursing.

Mandatory Subjects:

• Substance Abuse - 3 hours
  • This is a recurring requirement:
    Effective with the reporting period ending in 2014, each licensee must have completed at least three (3) contact hours in the topic of substance abuse to renew the LPN license. This must be completed during each subsequent reporting period. 
• Mental Health Conditions Common to Veterans and Veteran Family Members
  • This is a recurring requirement - 2 hours
    Effective with the reporting period ending in 2018, each licensee must have completed at least two (2) contact hours in the topic of mental health conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans to renew the LPN license. This must be completed during each subsequent reporting period.
• End-of-Life Care - 2 hours
  • This is a one-time requirement: 
    In 2004, the West Virginia Legislature changed a previous law regarding the requirement for two (2) contact hours in end of life care including pain management. Effective July 1, 2005, this is a one-time requirement. Therefore, those who reported end of life CE for renewal in 2004 will not be required to complete it again. Those new licensees, individuals reinstating licenses, etc., will be required to report it with their CE during their first renewal in which CE reporting is required or at the time of reinstatement.

Subject Limitations:
The following activities are not acceptable for continuing education credit

• Job related clinical practice
• Development and presentation of programs as part of the licensees on-going job responsibilities
• Orientation and update of policies and procedures specific to the licensee's employing facility
• Activities which are part of a licensee's usual job responsibility
   

For additional information, LPNs should contact their own governing agency:
Name: West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses
Phone: (877) 558-5767
Fax: (304) 558-4367
Website: http://www.lpnboard.state.wv.us/
Address: 101 Dee Drive, Suite 100, Charleston WV, 25311

NEW! DEA MATE ACT:
Beginning with DEA initial registrations or renewals starting June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners (with the exception of DVM-only license holders) are required to complete 8 hours of one-time training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.


Mandatory Subjects:

• Pharmacotherapeutics – 12 contact hours every 2-year renewal period; 8 contact hours may be used for renewal/reinstatement of Limited Prescriptive Authority.
• Clinical Management of Patients – 12 contact hours every 2-year renewal period.
   

Additional requirements for APNs pursuant to WV Code 30-1-7a:

• Drug Diversion and Safe Prescribing Practices - complete 3 contact hours initially of CE for drug diversion training, best-practice prescribing of controlled substances training and training on prescribing and administration of an opioid antagonist if they prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances, within one year of receiving his or her initial license from the Board.

*Per WV Code 30-1-7a et.seq., the mental health conditions common to veterans and their families CE is no longer required. For more information please see House Bill 3317 or the WV Board of Nursing.