How to register for the NCLEX in West Virginia

To work as an RN in West Virginia you license with the Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses through its Nurse Portal (US$70, waived for low-income and military-family applicants). Fingerprints run through IdentoGO with service code 228NJX and reach the Board in two to three business days, your program sends the final transcript, and once those are reviewed the Board automatically issues a Graduate Temporary License valid 180 days from graduation. West Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

✓ Checked against WV RN Board's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

BoardWest Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses

ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)

Application feeUS$70 exam or re-exam; waived for low-income and military-family applicants

FingerprintsIdentoGO service code 228NJX; results to the Board in 2 to 3 business days; can be done up to 12 months before graduation

Graduate Temporary Licenseautomatic once the application, background check and transcript are reviewed; 180 days from graduation

CompactYes, since January 19, 2018

Steps Educated outside the US Documents Fees How long it takes Questions Official links

The steps, in order (graduates of a West Virginia program)

Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.

7 steps

Submit the RN Initial by Exam application in the Nurse Portal (US$70)Pay US$70 or claim a statutory fee waiver (household income below 130% of the poverty guideline or TANF/Medicaid/SNAP, or military family). Waivers apply to initial applications only.WV RN Board: licensing requirements →
Book IdentoGO fingerprints with service code 228NJXSchedule at uenroll.identogo.com; results reach the Board electronically in two to three business days. You may do this up to 12 months before graduation. Outside West Virginia and unable to book, use IdentoGO's card-by-mail option. Twice-rejected prints: contact the Board.WV RN Board: criminal background check instructions (PDF) →
Your program sends the official final transcriptDirectly from the nursing education program to the Board, showing the degree conferred and graduation date.
Register and pay Pearson VUE (US$200)Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test once the Board makes you eligible.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →
Graduate Temporary License, issued automaticallyOnce the application is in, the background check complete and the transcript reviewed, the Board automatically issues a Graduate Temporary License valid 180 days from your graduation date.
Write the NCLEX-RN; re-exam US$70Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts; the Board's re-examination application is US$70. See the Board's NCLEX requirements page for exam and repeat-exam applicants.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; renew every two years (US$90)Multistate licences go to West Virginia residents who meet the uniform requirements; the primary residence update is free.WV RN Board: multistate licensure (NLC) →

If you were educated outside the United States

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

2 steps

Credential evaluation and English proficiency per the Board's requirementsGraduates of programs outside the US submit an education credential evaluation and English proficiency evidence as the Board directs; confirm the accepted agencies on the requirements page before ordering.WV RN Board: licensing requirements →
Application (US$70), IdentoGO 228NJX (card by mail from abroad), Pearson VUEPearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US.WV RN Board: criminal background check instructions (PDF) →

Documents to have ready

Nurse Portal RN Initial by Exam application and US$70 (or waiver documentation)
IdentoGO fingerprint background check with service code 228NJX
Official final transcript sent by the program
Pearson VUE registration (US$200)
International graduates: credential evaluation and English proficiency evidence

Fees

Licensure by examination / re-examinationwaived for low-income and military-family initial applicants	US$70
IdentoGO fingerprint background checkpaid to IdentoGO	varies
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200
Biennial renewal	US$90
Graduate Temporary Licenseissued automatically	no separate fee listed

How long it takes

Fingerprints up to 12 months before graduation; results in 2 to 3 business days.
Graduate Temporary License: 180 days from graduation, issued automatically.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Get printed in your final year; West Virginia accepts the background check up to 12 months before graduation.
The graduate licence is automatic, but only after the transcript is reviewed; chase your school on graduation day.
Check the fee waiver: many new graduates qualify under the income rule.
The 180 days run from graduation, not from the licence date.

Questions people ask about West Virginia

How do I register for the NCLEX in West Virginia?

Submit the RN Initial by Exam application in the Nurse Portal (US$70, or a fee waiver), book IdentoGO fingerprints with service code 228NJX, have your program send the final transcript and register with Pearson VUE (US$200). The Board makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does a West Virginia RN licence cost?

US$70 to the Board (waived for low-income and military-family applicants), the IdentoGO fee and US$200 to Pearson VUE. Renewal is US$90 every two years.

Can I work in West Virginia before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes. Once your exam application, background check and transcript are reviewed, the Board automatically issues a Graduate Temporary License valid for 180 days from your graduation date.

Is West Virginia a compact state?

Yes, since January 19, 2018. West Virginia residents who meet the uniform requirements receive a multistate licence.

How long do West Virginia fingerprint results take?

Two to three business days through IdentoGO (service code 228NJX); the Board does not process fingerprint cards itself except through IdentoGO's mail-in option.

Who qualifies for the West Virginia fee waiver?

Initial applicants with household adjusted gross income below 130% of the federal poverty guideline or enrolled in TANF, Medicaid or SNAP, and military families (active duty, honourably discharged veterans, spouses and un-remarried surviving spouses). Waivers do not apply to renewals or endorsements.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on WV RN Board's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.

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