West Virginia CNA and Nurse License Verification
Official state board and nurse aide registry lookups for healthcare providers in West Virginia. Verify active license status, disciplinary history, and expiration dates before scheduling clinical shifts.
To verify a nurse or caregiver license in West Virginia, query the official state registries below. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are verified via the West Virginia RN Board & LPN Board. Certified Nursing Assistants are verified via the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC).West Virginia is an active member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), granting multi-state practice privileges to unencumbered nurses holding a primary state of residence compact license.Verifications are public record, 100% free of charge, and require the provider full legal name or state credential number.
Verify a West Virginia license
Select the appropriate official state registry below to check professional nurses (RN and LPN) or certified nurse aides (CNA) in West Virginia. Lookups link directly to state government databases and contracted registries.
Nursing Board Lookup
West Virginia RN Board & LPN Board
Nurse Aide Registry
West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC)
West Virginia Registry Structure and Agency Distinction
West Virginia separates regulatory power into three entities: the West Virginia RN Board, the State Board of Examiners for LPNs, and the OHFLAC Nurse Aide Registry. Verification requires three separate lookups.
| Credential Level | Governing Agency | Compact Status | Lookup Cost | Standard Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | West Virginia RN Board & LPN Board | Nurse Licensure Compact | Free Public Record | RN licenses renew annually by October 31 with 12 contact hours; LPNs renew annually by June 30 with 24 hours |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | West Virginia RN Board & LPN Board | Nurse Licensure Compact | Free Public Record | RN licenses renew annually by October 31 with 12 contact hours; LPNs renew annually by June 30 with 24 hours |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC) | State Registry Only | Free Public Record | 24 Months (Federal Standard) |
What to check on the result
When reviewing a license verification printout or online record in West Virginia, cross-examine every entry against this standard 6-point compliance checklist:
Full Legal Name Match
Cross-reference the candidate legal first, middle, and last name against a government-issued photo ID. Confirm any maiden names, hyphenated names, or previous aliases registered with the board.
License or Certificate Number
Verify that the exact credential number matches the candidate onboarding file. Ensure the license prefix corresponds to the appropriate practice level (e.g. RN, LPN, or CNA).
Current Licensure Status
The status must state "Active" and unencumbered. Never schedule clinical shifts for credentials listed as Lapsed, Delinquent, Suspended, Surrendered, Inactive, or on Probation.
Expiration and Renewal Date
Verify that the expiration date extends beyond the current scheduling block. Establish internal alerts at 90, 60, and 30 days prior to expiry so renewals are submitted without clinical disruption.
Disciplinary Actions and Public Board Orders
Examine any linked consent agreements, reprimands, practice limitations, or mandated supervision orders. Document all board findings in the compliance audit file.
Registry Type Confirmation
Ensure you are querying the correct statutory authority. Nurse aides must be verified on the state nurse aide registry, while nurses must be confirmed via the state board of nursing.
Specific Verification Tips for West Virginia
- West Virginia maintains separate boards for RNs and LPNs, plus OHFLAC for CNAs.
- RNs renew annually by October 31, while LPNs renew annually by June 30.
- Verify compact multi-state privileges on Nursys for nurses moving to West Virginia.
West Virginia renewal cycle and what lapses mean
Tracking state-mandated renewal schedules prevents accidental lapses that disrupt facility operations and trigger surveyor citations:
West Virginia Mandated Renewal Period
RN licenses renew annually by October 31 with 12 contact hours; LPNs renew annually by June 30 with 24 hours. CNAs renew every 2 years through OHFLAC with proof of 8 hours of paid nursing care.
What a Lapsed Credential Means for Senior Care Operators
Under federal CMS regulations (42 CFR § 483.35) and West Virginia administrative health codes, placing a worker with a lapsed credential on shift constitutes an immediate staffing violation.
CMS Survey Citations
State inspectors cite facilities with F-tag 726 (nursing competent staff) or F-tag 727 (RN coverage deficiencies), requiring formal plans of correction.
Civil Monetary Penalties
Federal and state fines can exceed $22,320 per occurrence or compound daily until full compliance and staffing verification are confirmed.
Non-Reimbursable Care
Medicaid and Medicare payers can disallow and recoup claims billed for care delivered by unverified or lapsed clinical staff.
Immediate Shift Suspension
The worker must be removed from the clinical floor immediately upon discovery of a lapse, creating unplanned overtime and vacant seat costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common compliance and verification questions for healthcare employers in West Virginia:
How do I verify a West Virginia CNA certification?
Search the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC) Nurse Aide Registry. Enter the aide certificate ID or legal name to confirm active status and check for abuse or neglect notations. State nursing boards do not handle CNAs.
How do I verify a West Virginia nursing license?
Check the West Virginia RN Board lookup for registered nurses or the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. Nursys QuickConfirm can also be used for RN verification. Both tools confirm active standing and board sanctions.
Is West Virginia a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes, West Virginia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact for both RNs and LPNs. Nurses holding an active multi-state license from another compact state may practice in West Virginia healthcare organizations without an additional state license.
What are the penalties for lapsed nursing credentials in West Virginia?
West Virginia OHFLAC survey inspectors cite healthcare facilities for staffing violations when personnel work with lapsed credentials. Facilities face state civil monetary fines, required correction plans, and audit scrutiny. Staff with expired credentials must be removed immediately.
Healthcare Staffing and Compliance Resources for West Virginia
Maintain continuous survey readiness and lower vacancy costs across West Virginia with ProHireHQ:
Primary-Source Credentialing
Continuous license monitoring, OIG and SAM exclusions screening, and automated 90, 60, and 30-day renewal warnings.
Healthcare RPO Solutions
Dedicated recruitment process outsourcing built for assisted living, home health, and hospice providers facing high turnover.
Turnover Cost Calculator
Benchmark annual overtime, recruitment agency premiums, and vacant clinical shift expenses using your facility census.
51-State Verification Directory
Verify nurses, therapists, and certified aides across all 50 states plus Washington DC through direct state board links.
Eliminate credential surprises across West Virginia
Stop tracking expiration dates in manual spreadsheets. ProHireHQ continuously monitors CNA, LPN, and RN credentials, sending automatic alerts at 90, 60, and 30 days so your facility stays 100% survey-ready.
Book a Demo