Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

If you’re looking for a rewarding career in West Virginia, the healthcare field has plenty of employment opportunities throughout the state.

You can jumpstart your career without spending tons of time and money on education and training by becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Certification takes less than two years through a West Virginia nursing program.

• The average base salary for LPNs in West Virginia is $26.53 per hour.
• On average, LPNs in West Virginia make an additional $6,219 in overtime per year.
• The national job outlook for LPNs is projected to grow 9% by 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
• Common benefits include referral program, tuition reimbursement, license reimbursement, 401(k), and paid time off.
• $38,940 is the national average wage for LPNs in West Virginia, which is below the national average of $48,820 per year.

West Virginia has various LPN training programs, including community colleges, private institutions, and vocational training organizations. The cities of Charleston, Clarksburg, and Morgantown are just a few of the locations with rich opportunities for LPN education and employment.

Overview of LPN Schools in West Virginia

For being such a geographically small state, West Virginia boasts an abundant pool of learning opportunities for aspiring LPNs. The state has approved a wide selection of LPN programs including community colleges, private institutions, and vocational schools. West Virginia’s programs provide both classroom and practical learning experiences. Coursework will vary by institution. However, common subjects across typical programs include the following:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Nutrition
• Practical Nursing Skills
• Pharmacology for Nursing
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Pediatric and/or Maternal Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Patient care
• Human Development
• Nursing Ethics

LPN Accreditation

Look for state-approved LPN programs in West Virginia. State approval, or accreditation, allows qualified programs to deem graduates eligible for the required licensure test. In West Virginia, it is common to find programs of varying degrees of approval ranging from tentative, provisional, or fully approved. To ensure you can take the post-graduation licensure exam, choose a fully approved school. Some West Virginia are accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). You can also find state-approved LPN programs through the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. 

LPN Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements vary from one school to another, so it’s best to check with prospective schools to make sure you meet their expectations. Generally, criteria for admissions to an LPN program in West Virginia include:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of all prerequisite coursework with a cumulative 2.5+ GPA.
• Personal interview.
• Pass an admissions test.
• Pass a background check.
• Pass a drug screening
• Proof of required immunizations.
• Submit completed application and fees.

LPN Tuition & Costs

Tuition and other costs vary. For example, tuition at the United Technical Center is $4,200 plus expenses, while Mercer County Technical Education Center costs $7,123.39. Additionally, students may need to pay for textbooks, school supplies, and application fees. Some schools offer financial aid packages, grants, and scholarships to help offset costs.

LPN Licensing Requirements in West Virginia 

 In West Virginia, LPN licensure is processed through the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. Students that have completed all coursework from a state-approved LPN program are eligible to submit an application and register for the state-required proficiency exam.

Checklist to become a West Virginia LPN: 

• Complete all required coursework from a state-approved LPN program.
• Submit the online application to the state and pay the fee.
• Have official transcripts sent to the state.
• Pass a background check.
• Pass the NCLEX-PN exam (can be taken more than once).

LPN licenses in West Virginia must be renewed annually. Licenses expire on June 30th each year.

NCLEX-PN Exam

Upon completing an accredited LPN program in West Virginia, prospective LPNs must pass the NCLEX-PN exam given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). This exam tests knowledge on topics such as medical procedures and patient care.

LPN Reciprocity

West Virginia has joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), allowing LPNs to work in other participating states without applying for new licenses. Individuals outside of West Virginia may apply for licensure by endorsement by providing proof of current LPN license from another state, a passing NCLEX-PN exam score, background check, and fingerprint cards to the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses.

LPN Salaries in West Virginia 

LPNs in West Virginia make $26.53 per hour on average, with an annual mean wage of $38,940.

 The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics displays the following average annual LPN salaries for West Virginia:

• Beckley ($35,500)
• Charleston ($38,990)
• Huntington-Ashland ($39,120)
• Morgantown ($37,720)
• Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area ($38,280)
• Parkesburg-Vienna ($38,410)
• Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area ($35,500)
• Weirton-Steubenville ($40,970)
• Wheeling ($41,010)

LPN salaries are fairly consistent throughout the state. However, areas near the Ohio border, such as Wheeling, Weirton-Steubenville, and Huntington-Ashland, boast slightly higher-than-average salaries. Additional factors that influence salaries include the particular field of practical nursing and the LPN’s experience level.

Job Outlook for LPNs in West Virginia 

The employment outlook for LPNs in West Virginia is bright with demand for healthcare professionals growing across the country. As one of the smallest states in the U.S., West Virginia employs 5,980 LPNs.

One of the most significant demand drivers is an aging baby boomer population. A growing number of people will require in-home and outpatient services more than ever as many services once done in hospitals move to outpatient settings.

Top LPN Schools in West Virginia 

United Technical Center School of Practical Nursing
Route 3 Box 43-C
Clarksburg, WV 26301
304-326-7580

United Technical Center School of Practical Nursing offers a robust 12-month program accredited by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners and the Council on Occupational Education. United Technical Center School of Practical Nursing boasts a 99.9% State Board Pass Rate since 1966.

Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing
1 Spartan Ln.
Lewisburg, WV 24901
304-647-6487

Greenbrier County School of Practical Nursing’s 12-month program is fully accredited by the West Virginia LPN Board and is applying to become a candidate for accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. This school has been around as the IV School of Practical Nursing since 1975 but changed its name to the Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing in 2003.

Monongalia County Technical Education Center
1000 Mississippi St.
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-291-9240

Monongalia County Technical Education Center provides students with a 12-month adult LPN program comprised of a classroom curriculum and clinical learning experiences. The NCLEX pass rate among graduates is consistently 95-100%.

 Garnet Career Center School of Practical Nursing
422 Dickinson St.
Charleston, WV 25301
304-348-6195

Garnet Career Center’s mission is to provide students with 21st-century education opportunities to help them reach their career goals. The practical nursing program is designed to prepare future LPNs to pass the NCLEX-PN and be ready to enter the workforce. This is a 12-month program of study divided into three distinct semesters.

Fayette Institute of Technology School of Practical Nursing
175 Georges Fairchance Road
Uniontown, WV 15401
724-437-2721

The Fayette Institute of Technology School of Practical Nursing provides a post-secondary program for students to develop critical nursing skills including patient care fundamentals and professional development. Training includes pediatric nursing, oncology nursing, mental health nursing, geriatric nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and infection control.

 Summers County School of Practical Nursing
116 Main Street
Hinton, WV 25951
304-466-6000

Summers County School of Practical Nursing’s 12-month program is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce, college, or vocational training. This program is accredited by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses and promotes small class sizes with only 22 students accepted each year.

Mercer County Technical Education Center 
1397 Stafford Dr.
Princeton, WV 24740
304-425-9551

Mercer County Technical Education Center’s School of Practical Nursing consists of a 12-month LPN training program to prepare students to take the NCLEX-PN exam. The education center’s practical nursing program teaches students skills needed to become a successful LPN. The program at Mercer is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.

 B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing
101 Dee Drive
Charleston, WV 25311
304-558-3572

This program provides students with a comprehensive 12-month curriculum that encompassed both classroom learning and clinical experiences. The B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing prepares graduates to join the workforce as an LPN in a range of healthcare settings. The NCLEX-PN pass rate is 84.1%.

Mineral County Technical Center
600 Harley O Staggers Drive
Keyser, WV 26726
304-788-4240

Mineral County Technical Center’s practical nursing program offers a 12-month comprehensive curriculum and is accredited by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. The program accepts 25 students every year in January. The school works with area hospitals, healthcare facilities, and nursing homes to provide students with real-world clinical learning experiences.

Randolph Technical Center School of Practical Nursing
40 11th St.
Elkins, WV 26241
304-636-9150

Randolph Technical Center’s School of Practical Nursing is on a mission to provide students an opportunity to become productive, responsible citizens with marketable skills and technical know-how to pursue their professional goals.

Additional Resources

West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses
101 Dee Drive
Charleston, WV 25311
304-558-3572

West Virginia has separate boards for LPNs and RNs. The West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses is the hub for all licensure procedures and information for LPNs in the state.

West Virginia RN Board
5001 MacCorkle Ave, SW
South Charleston, WV 25309
304-744-0900

The WV RN Board states that its mission is to promote and protect public health, safety, and welfare through regulating registered professional nurses.

West Virginia Nurses Association
2306 1/2 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV 25311
304-342-1169

The West Virginia Nurses Association is a Constituent Member Association of the American Nurses Association.