Licensed jobs in West Virginia
West Virginia: 11 occupations, 10 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in West Virginia
West Virginia licenses 11 of the 11 occupations below at the state level. Electricians have the most levels here (9 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists | Training 1,800 clock hours1 | $352 | Every year3 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 3 credentials in all | WVSOS | – | $527 | Every 5 years8 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (R.N.) — single-state license (West Virginia only) 2 credentials in all | West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses | – | $709 | Every 2 years10 |
| Insurance agent | Resident Producer 3 credentials in all | OIC | Training 20 clock hours12 | $5012 | Every 2 years13 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber 3 credentials in all | West Virginia Division of Labor | – | $7515 | Every year15 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) — registered nurse aide on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry 2 credentials in all | OHFLAC | Training 120 clock hours17 | – | Every 2 years17 |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrician 9 credentials in all | SFM | Experience 1 year18 | $2518 | Every year18 |
| Security guard | Individual Security Guard License 2 credentials in all | SOS | Experience 1 year21 | $5022 | Every 2 years23 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Establishment License 2 credentials in all | West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board | – | $10025 | Every 2 years26 |
| Real estate agent | Salesperson 3 credentials in all | WVREC | Training 90 clock hours27 | $2528 | Every year29 |
| General contractor | General Building 5 credentials in all | CLB | – | $9033 | Every year34 |
Licensing boards
10 agencies issue the West Virginia licenses we cover:
- Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM): electricians
- West Virginia Secretary of State (WVSOS): notaries and security guards
- West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (CLB): electricians and general contractors
- West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists: cosmetologists
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: insurance agents
- West Virginia Division of Labor: plumbers
- West Virginia Real Estate Commission (WVREC): real estate agents
- West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses: registered nurses
- Office of Health Facility Licensure & Certification (OHFLAC): nursing assistants
- West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board: massage therapists
Moving to West Virginia with a license
For real estate agents and general contractors, the West Virginia board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries, security guards and massage therapists publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, provisional and Military service members and spouses456 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route7 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Interstate compact privilege, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses10116 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver14 |
| Plumber | License by endorsement and Universal license recognition1516 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement17 |
| Electrician | License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Exam waiver191820 |
| Security guard | No reciprocity route24 |
| Massage therapist | – |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement, Reciprocity agreements and Military service members and spouses303132 |
| General contractor | Reciprocity agreements, Exam waiver, Temporary license or permit and License by endorsement35363337 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The West Virginia license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- W. Va. Code §30-27-3West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- FeesWest Virginia Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-27-10West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Transfer License to WVWest Virginia Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-27-9West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-1-23West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Applying for a Notary Public CommissionWest Virginia Secretary of StateChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code § 39-4-20West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 19 CSR 12 Fees for Services Rendered by the Board (Final File, eff. 5/2/2024)West Virginia Secretary of State (Code of State Rules)Dated May 2, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- 19 CSR 3 Requirements for Registration and Licensure (Final File, eff. 5/2/2024)West Virginia Secretary of State (Code of State Rules)Dated May 2, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- Multistate Licensure (NLC)West Virginia Board of Registered NursesChecked November 8, 2026
- How to Apply for a Resident Producer LicenseWest Virginia Offices of the Insurance CommissionerChecked November 8, 2026
- Renewing a Resident Producer LicenseWest Virginia Offices of the Insurance CommissionerChecked November 8, 2026
- W. Va. Code §33-12-14West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
- Plumber legislative rule (42CSR34) as posted by DOLWest Virginia Division of LaborDated May 1, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §21-17-4West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Program Policy ManualWV Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC)Dated May 2016Checked November 7, 2026
- 103CSR5 Electrician Licensing Rules (eff. May 1, 2024)Office of the State Fire MarshalDated May 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code 29-3B-4West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code 29-3B-3West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-18-5West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Applying for an Individual Security Guard LicenseWV Secretary of StateChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-18-9West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- PI/SG Initial ApplicationWV Secretary of StateDated July 7, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- 194 CSR 4 Schedule of Fees (final file, eff. 5/1/2024)West Virginia Secretary of State (Code of State Rules)Dated May 1, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- W. Va. Code 30-37-13West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-40-14West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- 174CSR2 (Series 2) as posted by the CommissionWest Virginia Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- 174CSR1 Licensing Real Estate Brokers, Associate Brokers, and Salespersons and the Conduct of Brokerage…West Virginia Secretary of State (Code of State Rules)Checked November 6, 2026
- Salesperson licensed in another jurisdictionWest Virginia Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- View Reciprocity Agreements by StateWest Virginia Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-1-27 (licensure based on licensure in another state)West Virginia LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- Title 28 Legislative Rule Series 2 - WV Contractor Licensing ActWV Contractor Licensing BoardDated May 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-42-8WV Legislature - West Virginia CodeChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Application TennesseeWV Contractor Licensing BoardDated December 1, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsWV Contractor Licensing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-42-18WV Legislature - West Virginia CodeChecked November 6, 2026