State guide · West Virginia · Licensing
West Virginia licensing requirements
Medical license application, controlled-substance registration, Medicaid enrollment, telehealth rules, and CME for West Virginia.
Medical board
West Virginia Board of Medicine
License timeline
60–90 days
IMLC member
Yes
CME hours
60 per 3 yrs
Renewal cycle
3 years
Separate CS registration
Yes
The information on this page is provided for general reference only and may not reflect recent regulatory or legislative changes. State licensing requirements, fees, and timelines change frequently. Always verify requirements directly with the relevant state agency or a qualified legal or compliance professional before making practice decisions. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice.
State medical license
West Virginia physicians apply to the West Virginia Board of Medicine (MD) or Board of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). West Virginia is an IMLC member.
WV requires medical school graduation, postgraduate training, USMLE/COMLEX passage, and primary-source verification.
- •Apply through WV Board of Medicine online portal
- •IMLC pathway available
- •Minimum 1 year postgraduate training (3 years for IMGs)
- •Initial license fee approximately $400 (Verify current)
Controlled-substance registration
West Virginia requires a WV Controlled Substance Registration from the Board of Pharmacy in addition to the federal DEA registration.
Issuing agency: West Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Processing timeline: Verify
Medicaid enrollment
Agency: West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services
West Virginia Medicaid enrollment is administered through WV Medicaid Provider Enrollment.
Estimated timeline: Verify — typically 60–90 days
- •Apply through WV Medicaid Provider Enrollment
- •Mountain Health Trust MCO credentialing separate
- •Revalidation required every 5 years
Telehealth notes
West Virginia permits telehealth, with provisions to expand access in rural communities. WV license required to treat WV-located patients.
- •WV license required to treat WV-located patients
CME requirements
West Virginia requires 60 CME hours per 3-year renewal cycle.
Total hours: 60 per 3-year cycle
Mandatory topics:
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a medical license in West Virginia?
West Virginia medical license applications typically take 60–90 days.
Is West Virginia a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)?
Yes. West Virginia is an IMLC member state, which can speed up licensure for physicians who qualify for the compact process.
How many CME hours are required to renew a medical license in West Virginia?
Physicians in West Virginia must complete 60 CME hours per 3-year renewal cycle.
Does West Virginia require a separate controlled-substance registration?
Yes. In addition to a DEA registration, West Virginia requires a separate state-level controlled-substance registration through West Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
Official resources
Bookmark these official agency portals for West Virginia licensing, controlled-substance registration, and Medicaid enrollment.
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