West Virginia Nursing Continuing Education
West Virginia has different continuing education requirements for RNs and LPNs, so each license type should be reviewed separately. RNs generally complete 12 contact hours during each two-year renewal cycle, while LPNs have a broader continuing competency structure that includes more CE hours, practice requirements, and specific mandated topics.
C-E-U.com can support West Virginia nurses with qualifying online continuing education. Because West Virginia recognizes continuing education from approved nursing education sources, C-E-U.com’s Florida Board of Nursing provider status, Provider #50-47308, is relevant to the general CE requirements.
West Virginia Nursing Continuing Education Requirements at a Glance
| RN | LPN | |
|---|---|---|
| General CE Requirement | 12 contact hours | 24 contact hours |
| Renewal / Reporting Period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| Practice Requirement | No separate general practice-hour requirement | 400 hours of practical nursing practice |
| Newly Licensed Requirement | 3 hours safe prescribing and drug diversion | One-time 2 hours end-of-life care and pain management |
| Substance Abuse / Drug Diversion | 3 hours for newly licensed RNs as part of initial requirement | 3 hours each reporting period |
| Veterans / Mental Health | Not generally required | 2 hours related to veterans, mental health, and needs of veterans and families |
| Governing Body | West Virginia RN Board | West Virginia LPN Board |
| CE Broker | ✓ | No routine CE Broker reporting requirement |
West Virginia RN Continuing Education
West Virginia RNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. Newly licensed West Virginia RNs also have an additional requirement to complete 3 contact hours related to safe prescribing and drug diversion within one year of initial licensure.
C-E-U.com can support West Virginia RNs with qualifying online nursing continuing education toward the general 12-hour requirement. C-E-U.com should only represent a course as satisfying the newly licensed RN safe-prescribing and drug-diversion requirement if the course has been specifically developed to meet that targeted content.
West Virginia RN Continuing Education — 12 Contact Hours
West Virginia RNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
Safe Prescribing and Drug Diversion — 3 Hours
Newly licensed West Virginia RNs must complete 3 contact hours related to safe prescribing and drug diversion within the applicable initial licensure period.
West Virginia LPN Continuing Education
West Virginia LPNs have a more extensive continuing competency requirement than RNs. LPNs must complete continuing education, maintain practice hours, and complete specific required topic areas during the renewal period.
LPN Continuing Education — 24 Contact Hours
West Virginia LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year reporting period.
Practical Nursing Practice — 400 Hours
West Virginia LPNs must also document at least 400 hours of practical nursing practice during the applicable reporting period.
This practice requirement is separate from the continuing education requirement.
Veterans, Mental Health, and Family Needs — 2 Hours
West Virginia LPNs must complete 2 hours of continuing education related to veterans, mental health, and the needs of veterans and their families.
Substance Abuse and Drug Diversion — 3 Hours
West Virginia LPNs must complete 3 hours of continuing education related to substance abuse and drug diversion during the reporting period.
End-of-Life Care and Pain Management — 2 Hours
Newly licensed West Virginia LPNs must complete a one-time 2-hour course in end-of-life care with pain management.
West Virginia Nursing Continuing Education References and Resources
West Virginia RN Board — Official source for West Virginia RN licensure, renewal, continuing education, CE Broker reporting, and Board guidance.
West Virginia RN Continuing Education — Details the 12-hour RN CE requirement, the newly licensed RN safe-prescribing and drug-diversion requirement, approved provider sources, and CE Broker tracking.
West Virginia RN Renewals — Current RN renewal schedule, deadlines, and license-renewal information.
West Virginia RN CE Provider Information — Provider standards, applications, and CE Broker reporting information.
West Virginia LPN Board — Official source for West Virginia LPN licensing, continuing competence, renewal, and regulatory information.
West Virginia LPN Licensure Requirements — Summarizes the 24-hour CE requirement, 400-hour practice requirement, required veterans/mental-health education, substance abuse or drug-diversion education, and the one-time end-of-life/pain-management requirement.
West Virginia LPN Continuing Competence Rule — Official rule establishing the 24 contact hours and 400 practice hours required during the two-year reporting period.
West Virginia LPN Continuing Education Audit Guidance — Practical guidance on required CE topics, audit documentation, and certificate retention.
West Virginia LPN License Lookup — Official license-verification tool for West Virginia LPNs.
Frequently Asked Questions: West Virginia Nursing Continuing Education
West Virginia RNs generally must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
West Virginia LPNs must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year reporting period and also document at least 400 hours of practical nursing practice.
Yes. West Virginia recognizes continuing education from approved nursing education sources, including other state Boards of Nursing. C-E-U.com is a Florida Board of Nursing continuing education provider, Provider #50-47308.
Yes. Newly licensed RNs must complete 3 contact hours related to safe prescribing and drug diversion within the applicable initial licensure period.
Yes. LPNs must complete 2 hours related to veterans, mental health, and the needs of veterans and their families, plus 3 hours related to substance abuse or drug diversion. Newly licensed LPNs also have a one-time 2-hour end-of-life care and pain management requirement.
Yes. West Virginia uses CE Broker for RN continuing education reporting and tracking.
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