A state licensing board shall issue an occupational license or other authorization to practice to a person upon application if they hold a valid license or authorization in another state, are in good standing with the board in every other state, and have established residency as a West Virginia resident. Additional requirements and applicable fees apply, see statute for further information.
If West Virginia requires an occupational license to lawfully work in a profession, and another state does not issue an occupational license for the same profession and instead issues another authorization to practice, West Virginia shall issue an occupational license to the person if the person otherwise satisfies subsection (a) of this section.
SOURCE: WV Code Sec. 21-17-3. (Accessed May 2025).
A registration issued pursuant to the provisions of or the requirements of this section does not authorize a health care professional to practice from a physical location within this state without first obtaining appropriate licensure.
By registering to provide interstate telehealth services to patients in this state, a health care practitioner is subject to:
- The laws regarding the profession in this state, including the state judicial system and all professional conduct rules and standards incorporated into the health care practitioner’s practice act and the legislative rules of registering board; and
- The jurisdiction of the board with which he or she registers to provide interstate telehealth services, including such board’s complaint, investigation, and hearing process.
A health care professional who registers to provide interstate telehealth services pursuant to the provisions of or the requirements of this section shall immediately notify the board where he or she is registered in West Virginia and of any restrictions placed on the individual’s license to practice in any state or jurisdiction.
SOURCE; WV Code Sec. 30-1-26. (Accessed May 2025).
The practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time the telemedicine technologies are used.
A physician or podiatrist who practices telemedicine must be licensed as provided in this article or registered as provided in §30-1-1 et seq. of this code.
This does not apply to:
- An informal consultation or second opinion, at the request of a physician or podiatrist who is licensed to practice medicine or podiatry in this state: Provided, that the physician or podiatrist requesting the opinion retains authority and responsibility for the patient’s care; and
- Furnishing of medical assistance by a physician or podiatrist in case of an emergency or disaster, if no charge is made for the medical assistance.
SOURCE: WV Code Sec. 30-3-13a & 30-14-12d. (Accessed May 2025).
Veterinarians
To provide veterinary care in the State of West Virginia via interstate telehealth services, an individual not otherwise licensed by the board must first apply for and obtain registration with the board. See statute for complete details.
SOURCE: WV Statute Sec. 30-10-24. (Accessed May 2025).
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant means a person who meets the qualifications set forth in the Physician Assistants Practice Act, W. Va. Code §30-3E-1 et seq., and is licensed to practice medicine with a collaborating physician or podiatric physician. Physician assistant also means an individual who holds a physician assistant license in another state and an interstate telehealth registration issued by this Board.
SOURCE: WV Rule Section 11-1B-2.1s (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1, 2030) – Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
See emergency rule for interstate telepractice requirements, including qualifications, fees and renewal protocols.
SOURCE: WV Rule 29-01-16. (Accessed Nov. 2024).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1st, 2027) – Medical Board
A health care practitioner who is not licensed in West Virginia may provide interstate telehealth services to patients located at an originating site in West Virginia, within the practitioner’s scope of practice, if the practitioner holds an interstate telehealth registration issued by the Board or pursuant to 11 CSR 14 during a declared state of emergency.
Health care practitioners who are not licensed in West Virginia may only provide telehealth services pursuant to this rule if the practitioner is eligible for an interstate telehealth registration. See rule for complete details about the process of obtaining registration, fees, and renewal terms.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 11-15-3. (Accessed May 2025).
Teledentistry – Effective July 11, 2025
A person may not provide dental services through teledentistry to a patient who is located at an originating site in this state unless the person:
- Is licensed pursuant to this article or registered pursuant to §30-1-1 et seq. of this code to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state; and
- Possesses and maintains a policy of professional liability insurance which insures the provider against any liability arising from the provision of dental services.
No provider, partnership, corporation, or other entity which provides, or purports to provide teledentistry services or provides a platform, technology, or support services through which teledentistry is provided, may advertise their services unless they employ a provider licensed or registered in this state.
SOURCE: WV Code Section 30-4-8b(a), (i) (SB 710 (Passed April 12, 2025)). (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1st, 2027) – Dentistry
A dentist or dental hygienist desiring to provide teledentistry services in this state via interstate telehealth services, shall make application for a registration on a form prescribed by the Board.
See rule for more details about fees and renewal information.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 5-16-3. (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1st, 2027) – Chiropractic Examiners & Osteopathic Medicine
A (profession) is eligible for registration as an interstate telehealth practitioner. See rule for associated requirements.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 4-9-2, p. 2. & WV Admin Law 24-10-3, p. 6. (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1, 2030) – Social Workers
A licensee shall only provide telehealth services in accordance with the respective scope of practice commensurate with his/her level of licensure.
Clinical social work services provided by individuals outside of the state may only be provided by a practitioner licensed at the clinical level.
All licensees of the Board providing telehealth services to clients outside the state of West Virginia shall comply with the laws and rules of that jurisdiction.
Social works eligible for out-of-state telehealth practitioner registration under certain circumstances. See regulation for details.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 25-1-5,6. (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1, 2033) – Nurses
A registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse who are not licensed in West Virginia or practicing on a multistate Registered Nurse practice privilege many only provide telehealth services pursuant to this rule if the nurse is eligible for an interstate telehealth registration. See regulation for additional requirements.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 19-16-4. (Accessed May 2025).
Emergency Rule (Effective until August 1st, 2029) – Professional Counselors & Marriage and Family Therapists
A professional counselor and marriage and family therapist who is not licensed in West Virginia may provide interstate Telehealth Services to clients located in West Virginia, within scope of practice, for no more than 30 nonconsecutive days within a six month period, if holding an interstate telehealth registration issued by the Board. An interstate telehealth registration does not authorize a LPC or LMFT to practice from a physical location or distant site within this state or to establish a new client relationship. See regulation for additional requirements.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 27-14-3. (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1, 2028) – Optometrists
To provide optometric care in the State of West Virginia via interstate telehealth services, an individual not otherwise licensed by the Board must first apply for and obtain registration with the Board using the application materials provided by the Board and paying fees equal to the initial in-state optometry license application and annual licensing fees. By registering to provide interstate telehealth services to patients in this state, a registrant is subject to all laws, rules, and regulations regarding the practice of optometry in this state, including the state judicial system and all professional conduct rules and standards incorporated into the Optometry Practice Act, W. Va. Code, §30-8-1, et. seq., and all legislative rules and jurisdiction of the West Virginia Board of Optometry including the Board’s complaint, investigation, and hearing process. See regulation for additional requirements.
SOURCE: WV Admin Law 14-12-3,4. (Accessed May 2025).
Final Rule (Effective until August 1, 2029) – Dietitians
The practice of medical nutrition therapy or nutrition therapy occurs where the client is physically located at the time the telehealth technologies are used.
A licensed dietitian who practices telehealth must be licensed as provided in this article.
Medical nutrition therapy or nutrition therapy services must be provided by a licensed dietitian who possess a current valid, active license and is in good standing in West Virginia and in all states in which they are licensed and are not currently under investigation or subject to an administrative complaint.
Telehealth services may only be used to provide medical nutrition therapy or nutrition therapy services to a patient or client who is physically located at an originating site in West Virginia other than the site where the licensed dietitian is located, whether or not in West Virginia.
SOURCE: WV Rule 31-7-3, 5. (Accessed May 2025).
Occupational Therapist (Effective July 1, 2025)
The practice of occupational therapy occurs where the client is physically located at the time the telehealth technologies are used.
An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who practices telehealth must be licensed or hold a compact privilege to practice in West Virginia as provided in this article.
SOURCE: WV Rule 13-09 (Accessed May 2025).
Respiratory Care
The practice of respiratory care occurs where the client is physically located at the time the telehealth technologies are used.
A licensed respiratory therapist who practices telehealth must be licensed as provided in this title.
Respiratory Care services must be provided by a licensed respiratory therapist who possesses a current, valid, active license and is in good standing in West Virginia and in all states in which they are licensed and are not currently under investigation or subject to an administrative complaint.
SOURCE: WV Rule Sec 30-11-3. (Accessed May 2025).
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