State terminology: Registered nurse aide (RNA). West Virginia nurse aide reciprocity ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, Nurse Aide Program.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to West Virginia?
Route to review: Registered nurse aide reciprocity. Check all the conditions for this route. An out-of-state credential alone does not establish eligibility.
What does CNA reciprocity mean?
States use the terms reciprocity, endorsement and transfer to describe how they review nurse aide credentials from another state. Each state defines its own process, so use the term your new state uses. Approval is not automatic. The destination state decides whether your training, testing, work history and registry status meet its rules.
A nurse aide registry is an official state list used to check nurse aide status. A competency evaluation is the state-approved nurse aide exam. Its format varies by state. This guide explains the published instructions, but the agency decides whether you qualify.
How do you become a CNA in West Virginia?
OHFLAC oversees nurse-aide education, evaluation and registration and publishes the NATCEP lookup.
- West Virginia nurse aide training programs must be at least 120 clock hours, with at least 55 hours of instructor-supervised clinical practice. Orientation and pre- and post-conference time don't count toward the total.
- The current agency program page identifies Professional Healthcare Development LLC (profhd.com) as the state testing vendor.
Official training directory: OHFLAC NATCEP program lookup ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Registered nurse aide reciprocity
Other-state aides whose education and competency requirements are substantially equivalent.
- The policy requires acceptable registry standing and no 24-month lapse in paid RNA employment during the past three years.[1]
Complete the current official application
Supply training, registration in other states, healthcare employment and the requested declarations.[3]
Authorize registry verification
The application permits listed state registries to release certification-verification information to West Virginia.[3]
Official route: Official OHFLAC online reciprocity form. [2] [3] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in West Virginia?
Prior destination credentials require agency confirmation; a new interstate application is not assumed to replace renewal or reinstatement.
Who sends registry verification?
The program requests reciprocity from the other state after receiving a completed application; the form authorizes release from listed registries.[1] [3]
What exceptions apply?
No additional exception is listed in the reviewed sources.
What fees does the state publish?
The reviewed source does not publish an amount for the following item: Application and third-party charges. Confirm the current charge with the agency before paying.
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm prior West Virginia certification, exceptional work-history cases and the fee with the agency.
- The policy page refers to a named form. Use the current Applications directory and confirm the online form with the agency.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the West Virginia planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Registered nurse aide reciprocity)
- Have you previously been listed as a registered nurse aide (RNA) in West Virginia? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- OHFLAC RNA Reciprocity ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · RNA reciprocity criteria
- OHFLAC Applications ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Nurse Aide: Application for Registration by Reciprocity
- Current online reciprocity application ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Training / other states / healthcare employment / declaration
- West Virginia Nurse Aide Program Policy Manual ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Renewal or Reregistration Application Requirements; Facility In-Service Requirement