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West Virginia Nursing Home Administrator License Requirements

What it takes to become a licensed nursing home administrator in West Virginia: the Administrator-in-Training (AIT) requirement, the exams, continuing education, and where to find an approved program or preceptor. Every figure below is cited to its official source.

nhaexamprep.com · updated July 2026

West Virginia at a glance

AIT requirement1,000 hrs
National examsNAB Core of Knowledge + NHA Line of Service (both required)
State examRequired, in addition to the NAB exams
Continuing education20 hours annual
Official sourceslaw.cornell.edu · nabweb.org (state exam)

Verified against the sources above, July 2026. Requirements change; the board's current published rule is always the final word.

The AIT requirement in West Virginia

West Virginia requires a minimum of 1,000 Administrator-in-Training (AIT) hours.

WHAT THE VERIFIED RECORD SAYS
1,000-hour AIT program (CSR 21-1-4.3) under full-time supervision of a Board-approved WV preceptor licensed at least three years. AIT permit approval required before starting; the preceptor files quarterly reports.

Compare this against every other jurisdiction on AIT Hours by State.

Plan your West Virginia AIT hours, free

The interactive AIT Planner turns the West Virginia requirement into a live hours-allocation plan across all eleven department rotations, with a self-assessment that shapes where your hours go. No account needed.

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The exams you must pass

Licensure in every state runs through two national exams from NAB (the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards): the Core of Knowledge exam, 125 questions in 150 minutes, and the NHA Line of Service exam, 75 questions in 90 minutes. Both are computer-based, multiple choice, and delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers. We break down the structure in NAB Exam Format and the content in The Core Domains Explained.

West Virginia adds a state exam on top of the two NAB exams. State exams usually cover the state's own licensure rules and facility regulations; the board's candidate materials describe the current format and how to register. What these exams cover and how to prepare is in State NHA Exams Explained.

Where to find an AIT program or preceptor in West Virginia

State associations: West Virginia Health Care Association (WVHCA). Association staff know which member facilities host AITs and which administrators precept, and many run their own AIT or licensure-prep programming.

For the full step-by-step on approaching facilities and preceptors, see How to Find an AIT Preceptor and an Approved Program.

The rules behind the West Virginia license

These are the legal sources that govern nursing home administrator licensure in West Virginia. If your state requires a state exam, its questions are drawn from material like this, and the board's candidate information usually names the exact chapters to study.

Citations verified against official sources, July 2026. Provided for reference, not legal advice; the current official text governs. Mirrors are labeled where an official public link is not available.

Common questions

How many AIT hours does West Virginia require for a nursing home administrator license?

West Virginia requires a minimum of 1,000 Administrator-in-Training (AIT) hours. 1,000-hour AIT program (CSR 21-1-4.3) under full-time supervision of a Board-approved WV preceptor licensed at least three years. AIT permit approval required before starting; the preceptor files quarterly reports.

What exams are required for an NHA license in West Virginia?

Candidates in West Virginia take the NAB Core of Knowledge exam and the NHA Line of Service exam, and West Virginia also requires a state exam. Confirm the current exam list with the state board before you apply.

What are the continuing education requirements for nursing home administrators in West Virginia?

Licensed administrators in West Virginia must complete 20 hours annual of continuing education. CE rules change between renewal cycles, so verify the current requirement with the state board.

Where can I find an approved AIT program or preceptor in West Virginia?

The state trade associations, West Virginia Health Care Association (WVHCA), are the other practical starting point: they run programs, know active preceptors, and can point you to member facilities that train AITs.

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