West Virginia

West Virginia has a universal license recognition law. As a New Jersey-licensed professional, your license is generally recognized in West Virginia, subject to meeting basic eligibility requirements. This is the strongest form of license portability available. Universal recognition enacted 2025; highest compact participation in the region.

West Virginia is a member of 7 compacts: Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact, EMS Compact (REPLICA), Counseling Compact, Occupational Therapy Compact. You share 5 of these with New Jersey: Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, Physical Therapy Compact, Counseling Compact.

Both New Jersey and West Virginia are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a multistate nursing license from New Jersey, you can practice in West Virginia without obtaining a separate license.

Teaching license portability from New Jersey to West Virginia: NASDTEC member; reciprocal certification with most states. Most states participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but specific requirements vary by state and endorsement area.

West Virginia supports PE license comity through NCEES. Licensed Professional Engineers from New Jersey can apply for licensure by comity, which is a streamlined process using your NCEES Record. This typically requires verifying your education, exam passage, and experience meet West Virginia's requirements.

Universal recognition covers military spouses; automatic recognition. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), updated December 2024, all states are now required to recognize valid professional licenses from other states for military personnel and their spouses.

Enacted universal license recognition 2025; OT Compact accepting applications January 2026.

For the most current licensing requirements and compact participation details, visit the official West Virginia licensing page at https://www.wv.gov/. Requirements and compact memberships may change as new legislation is enacted.