Nursing License from West Virginia to New Hampshire: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does New Hampshire accept a West Virginia nursing license?
Yes — both West Virginia and New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire now; if you are moving your residence to New Hampshire, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare New Hampshire your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both West Virginia and New Hampshire are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in New Hampshire while living in West Virginia — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to New Hampshire means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into New Hampshire and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What's different between West Virginia and New Hampshire
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into New Hampshire. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
West Virginia to New Hampshire (this page): Compact multistate — already covered.
New Hampshire to West Virginia (the reverse move): Compact multistate — already covered.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from West Virginia matter?
West Virginia gets New Hampshire's most common result: 39 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (11).
- NLC membership
West Virginia and New Hampshire are both NLC member states.
A multistate license issued by West Virginia covers practice in New Hampshire, and one issued by New Hampshire covers practice in West Virginia.
- Application fee
New Hampshire lists $120 for an out-of-state applicant and West Virginia lists $125 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Exam rules on record
West Virginia and New Hampshire carry the same exam note for a licensee arriving from another state; any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
What changes, West Virginia → New Hampshire
| West Virginia (current) | New Hampshire (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $125 (board fee item is 'RN & APRN Endorsement (Includes Temporary Permit)'; background-check fees paid separately) | $120 (RN endorsement license fee (non-refundable) per the OPLC Board of Nursing license fees page; optional temporary license available while pending) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a processing timeframe; the $125 endorsement fee includes a temporary permit | no timeframe published; applicants have up to 180 days to complete the application |
| Licensing authority | West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses | New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire: apply for licensure by endorsement with the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) when you move.
- Declare New Hampshire as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete New Hampshire'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
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from West Virginia to New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire: $120 (RN endorsement license fee (non-refundable) per the OPLC Board of Nursing license fees page; optional temporary license available while pending).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (no timeframe published; applicants have up to 180 days to complete the application).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified West Virginia 2026-10-29, New Hampshire 2026-07-21.
- NH OPLC — Board of Nursing License Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NH OPLC — Board of Nursing ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WV RN Board — Licensure Requirements (RN by Endorsement) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WV RN Board — Fees and Waivers (official schedule of fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WV RN Board — Multistate Licensure (NLC) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources West Virginia 2026-10-29, New Hampshire 2026-07-21
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