Nursing License from West Virginia to Connecticut: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (licensing administered by the Department of Public Health) ↗
Yes — both West Virginia and Connecticut are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If West Virginia is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Connecticut now; if you are moving your residence to Connecticut, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Connecticut 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 West Virginia and Connecticut are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Connecticut while living in West Virginia — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Connecticut means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Connecticut and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, West Virginia → Connecticut
| West Virginia (current) | Connecticut (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $125 (board fee item is 'Endorsement With Temp Permit'; + 0.25% online transaction fee; background-check fees paid separately) | $180 (endorsement application fee; Nursys verification fee additional; no fingerprint background check listed for RN endorsement) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a processing timeframe; the $125 endorsement fee includes a temporary permit | no overall time published; a 120-day temporary permit is issued within 15 business days of a complete, approved application |
| Licensing authority | West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses | Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (licensing administered by the Department of Public Health) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Connecticut 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 Connecticut: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (licensing administered by the Department of Public Health) when you move.
- Declare Connecticut as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Connecticut'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 Connecticut accept a West Virginia nursing license?
Yes — both West Virginia and Connecticut are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If West Virginia is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Connecticut now; if you are moving your residence to Connecticut, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Connecticut your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from West Virginia to Connecticut?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; all RN licenses held (current or expired) are verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to Connecticut: $180 (endorsement application fee; Nursys verification fee additional; no fingerprint background check listed for RN endorsement) (endorsement application fee; Nursys verification fee additional; no fingerprint background check listed for RN endorsement).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (no overall time published; a 120-day temporary permit is issued within 15 business days of a complete, approved application).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- CT DPH — RN Licensure by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nursys — participating boards (Connecticut) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]