W. Va. Code R. § 19-3-3 - Application for Licensure by_Examination as a Registered Nurse

3.1. An applicant for licensure by exam as a Registered Nurse shall:

3.1.a. Applicants educated in the United States or United States Territory shall:

3.1.a.1. Have completed an approved four-year high school course of study or an equivalent thereof, as determined by the appropriate educational agency;

3.1.a.2. Be at least 18 years of age;

3.1.a.3. Have completed a prelicensure nursing education program approved by the board, or a program that meets criteria comparable to those established by the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses in 19CSR01. An official transcript showing the type of degree and date conferred shall be sent directly to the office of the board from a board approved nursing education program with an affidavit of graduation from the nursing education program as proof of education. The board will not consider an application for approval until the final, official transcript is received in the board office; and,

3.1.a.4. The applicant shall submit state and federal criminal history records information using fingerprints or other biometric data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining this state's criminal records.

3.1.a.5. Report any criminal conviction, nolo contendere plea, Alford plea, deferred judgment, or other pleas arrangements in lieu of conviction.

3.1.a.6. Report any condition or impairment (including but not limited to substance abuse, or a mental emotional or nervous disorder or condition) which in any way currently affects or limits your ability to practice safely and in a competent and professional manner.

3.1.a.7. Report any actions taken or initiated against any professional or occupational license, registration or certification.

3.1.a.8. Identify any state, territory or country in which the applicant holds a professional license or credential, if applicable. Provide the number and status of the license or credential as well as the original state or country of licensure or credentialing.

3.1.a.9. Provide employment information including current employer if employed in health care, including address, telephone number, position and dates of employment and previous employer in health care if any, if current employment is less than 12 months.

3.1.a.10. Provide information regarding whether the application previously applied for a license in another jurisdiction and either was denied a license, or withdrew the application or allowed the application to expire, if applicable.

3.1.a.11. Provide detailed explanation and supporting documentation for each affirmative answer to questions, as applicable, regarding the applicant's background.

3.1.a.12. Submit a completed board application and pay the required fee for licensure by examination set forth in the board's rule, Fees, 19 CSR 12. Payment shall be in the form established by the West Virginia Board for Registered Nurses. Application fees are not refundable, nor applicable to other test dates.

3.1.a.13 An approved applicant for licensure by examination shall submit an application directly to the contracted test service for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) with the application fee prior to the date the applicant wishes to take the examination. The authorization to test for any one application is valid for 90 days, and may not be extended.

3.1.b. Applicants seeking licensure as veterans in lieu of the educational qualifications specified in subdivision 3.1.c. of this rule, and qualifying under W. Va. Code § 30-24-1 et seq. an applicant who is a veteran shall:

3.1.b.1. Have completed an approved four-year high school course of study or an equivalent thereof, as determined by the appropriate educational agency;

3.1.b.2. Be at least 18 years of age;

3.1.b.3. Have served on active duty in the medical corps of any of the armed forces of the United States and have successfully completed the course of instruction required to qualify her or him for the level of academic training as determined by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing that is equal to that received by a student studying and training for a similar health occupation in civilian life;

3.1.b.4. Be honorably discharged from military service; and,

3.1.b.5. The applicant shall submit to West Virginia and federal criminal background checks.

3.1.b.6. Report any criminal conviction, nolo contendere plea, Alford plea, deferred judgment, or other pleas arrangements in lieu of conviction.

3.1.b.7. Report any condition or impairment (including but not limited to substance abuse, or a mental emotional or nervous disorder or condition) which in any way currently affects or limits your ability to practice safely and in a competent and professional manner.

3.1.b.8. Report any actions taken or initiated against any professional or occupational license, registration or certification.

3.1.b.9. Identify any state, territory or country in which the applicant holds a professional license or credential, if applicable. Provide the number and status of the license or credential as well as the original state or country of licensure or credentialing.

3.1.b.10. Provide employment information including current employer if employed in health care, including address, telephone number, position and dates of employment and previous employer in health care if any, if current employment is less than 12 months.

3.1.b.11. Provide information regarding whether the application previously applied for a license in another jurisdiction and either was denied a license, or withdrew the application or allowed the application to expire, if applicable.

3.1.b.12. Provide detailed explanation and supporting documentation for each affirmative answer to questions, as applicable, regarding the applicant's background.

3.1.b.13. Submit a completed board application and pay the required fee for licensure by examination set forth in the board's rule, Fees, 19 CSR 12. Payment shall be in the form established by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. Application fees are not refundable, nor applicable to other test dates.

3.1.b.14. An approved applicant for licensure by examination shall submit an application directly to the contracted test service for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) with the application fee prior to the date the applicant wishes to take the examination. The authorization to test for any one application is valid for 90 days, and may not be extended.

3.1.c. Applicants educated outside the United States or United States Territory shall:

3.1.c.1. Have completed an approved four-year high school course of study or an equivalent thereof, as determined by the appropriate educational agency;

3.1.c.2. Be at least 18 years of age;

3.1.c.3. Submit the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report certificate (CES) and English Language Proficiency (ELP) Exam issued by the commission on graduates of foreign nursing schools (CGFNS), unless the applicant meets the CGFNS criteria for an exemption from the ELP requirement;

3.1.c.4. The applicant shall submit to West Virginia and federal criminal background checks.

3.1.c.5. Report any criminal conviction, nolo contendere plea, Alford plea, deferred judgment, or other pleas arrangements in lieu of conviction.

3.1.c.6. Report any condition or impairment (including but not limited to substance abuse, or a mental emotional or nervous disorder or condition) which in any way currently affects or limits your ability to practice safely and in a competent and professional manner.

3.1.c.7. Report any actions taken or initiated against any professional or occupational license, registration or certification.

3.1.c.8. Identify any state, territory or country in which the applicant holds a professional license or credential, if applicable. Provide the number and status of the license or credential as well as the original state or country of licensure or credentialing.

3.1.c.9. Provide employment information including current employer if employed in health care, including address, telephone number, position and dates of employment and previous employer in health care if any, if current employment is less than 12 months.

3.1.c.10. Provide information regarding whether the application previously applied for a license in another jurisdiction and either was denied a license, or withdrew the application or allowed the application to expire, if applicable.

3.1.c.11. Provide detailed explanation and supporting documentation for each affirmative answer to questions, as applicable, regarding the applicant's background.

3.1.c.12. Submit a completed board application and pay the required fee for licensure by examination set forth in the board's rule, Fees, 19 CSR 12. Payment shall be in the form established by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. Application fees are not refundable, nor applicable to other test dates.

3.1.c.13. An approved applicant for licensure by examination shall submit an application directly to the contracted test service for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) with the application fee prior to the date the applicant wishes to take the examination. The authorization to test for any one application is valid for 90 days, and may not be extended. If the applicant has taken and passed the NCLEX-RN previously, have the scores transferred to the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses by Pearson VUE.

3.2. Temporary Permit for Exam Applicant.

3.2.a. A temporary permit may be issued to an applicant awaiting initial examination for licensure as a registered professional nurse The temporary permit expires 180 days following graduation, or until the date the applicant's licensing examination results are released to the office of the board by the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), whichever comes first. A temporary permit is not renewable.

3.2.b. The board shall not issue a temporary permit which permits the individual to practice registered professional nursing while awaiting initial examination for licensure and the reporting of the results of the examination until it has received and approved an application for licensure by examination.

3.2.c. The individual with a temporary permit is subject to all provisions of West Virginia Code § 30-7-1 et.seq. and all other relevant provisions of the West Virginia Code and rules promulgated by the board.

3.2.d. The individual with a temporary permit shall work under the direct supervision of a registered professional nurse with an unencumbered license, until the applicant has successfully passed the NCLEX-RN and a license is issued.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 19-3-3