(a) The board may issue a license to practice registered nursing to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
(1) Is at least 18 years of age;
(2) Has completed an approved four-year high school course of study or the equivalent thereof, as determined by the appropriate educational agency;
(3) Has completed a nursing education program;
(4) Has passed an examination approved by the board;
(5) Has paid the application fee specified by rule;
(6) Has completed a criminal background check, as required by 30-1D-1 et seq. of this code; and
(7) Is not an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in 27-1A-11 of this code, unless an applicant in an active recovery process, which may be evidenced by participation in a Nurse Health Program, structured aftercare, or a 12-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered.
(b) A license to practice registered professional nursing issued by the board shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this section: Provided, That a person holding a license shall renew the license.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 30. Professions and Occupations
Article 7. Registered Professional Nurses
§30-7-2. License Required to Practice
§30-7-3. Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
§30-7-5a. Schools of Nursing Faculty Requirements
§30-7-6. License to Practice Registered Professional Nursing
§30-7-6b. Special Volunteer License; Civil Immunity for Voluntary Services Rendered to Indigents
§30-7-7. License to Practice Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
§30-7-9. Contents of License or Certificate
§30-7-11. Denial, Revocation, or Suspension of License; Grounds for Discipline
§30-7-11a. Voluntary Agreements Relating to Alcohol or Chemical Dependency; Confidentiality
§30-7-13. Prohibitions and Penalties
§30-7-14. Injunction or Other Relief Against Unlawful Acts
§30-7-15. Administration of Anesthetics
§30-7-15a. Prescriptive Authority for Prescription Drugs
§30-7-15d. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Signatory Authority
§30-7-15e. Joint Advisory Council on Limited Prescriptive Authority
§30-7-16. General Law Applicable
§30-7-18. Nursing Shortage Study Commission