Nursing License from Arkansas to West Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses ↗
Yes — both Arkansas and West Virginia are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Arkansas is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in West Virginia now; if you are moving your residence to West Virginia, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare West Virginia your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Arkansas and West Virginia are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in West Virginia while living in Arkansas — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to West Virginia means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into West Virginia and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Arkansas → West Virginia
| Arkansas (current) | West Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $125 (endorsement application; + state/FBI background-check fee paid in the separate CBC system plus Live Scan vendor fee (amounts not published on board pages); optional $30 temporary permit) | $125 (board fee item is 'Endorsement With Temp Permit'; + 0.25% online transaction fee; background-check fees paid separately) |
| Processing time | no processing timeframe stated by the board; temporary permit available while the application is pending | board does not publish a processing timeframe; the $125 endorsement fee includes a temporary permit |
| Licensing authority | Arkansas State Board of Nursing | West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — West Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to West Virginia: apply for licensure by endorsement with the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses when you move.
- Declare West Virginia as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete West Virginia's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does West Virginia accept a Arkansas nursing license?
Yes — both Arkansas and West Virginia are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Arkansas is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in West Virginia now; if you are moving your residence to West Virginia, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare West Virginia your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Arkansas to West Virginia?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to West Virginia: $125 (board fee item is 'Endorsement With Temp Permit'; + 0.25% online transaction fee; background-check fees paid separately) (board fee item is 'Endorsement With Temp Permit'; + 0.25% online transaction fee; background-check fees paid separately).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (board does not publish a processing timeframe; the $125 endorsement fee includes a temporary permit).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- WV RN Board — Licensing (fee schedule, endorsement, Nurse Portal) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV RN Board — RN and APRN Licensure Requirements (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas SBN — RN Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas SBN — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas SBN — Criminal Background Check Instructions (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]