PRIA Logo™
West VirginiaHB 54582026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to professionals to be licensed by the West Virginia Board of Medicine

Sponsored By: Matthew Rohrbach (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Genetic counselor renewals and penalties

Genetic counselor licenses expire on June 30 of odd‑numbered years. To renew, you must pay the fee, show current ABGC or ABMG certification, and complete 30 hours of approved continuing education in the prior two years; first‑time licensees are exempt from CE at the first renewal. The Board may fine up to $10,000 and can deny, suspend, limit, or revoke a license or ACS permit for listed violations. Health care facilities must report formal disciplinary actions to the Board within 60 days. If you lose ABGC or ABMG certification, your state license ends automatically. It is a felony for a genetic counselor or ACS permittee to claim to be a licensed physician; penalties are 1–2 years in prison, a fine up to $2,000, or both.

Genetic counselors: license and scope rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, you must hold a West Virginia license to practice genetic counseling or use that title. To qualify, you must be at least 21, have a master’s from an accredited program or approved equivalent, and hold current ABGC or ABMG certification. The law allows an Active Candidate Status (ACS) permit for supervised practice up to one year, and you must take the ABGC exam within 12 months; the board may extend the permit once. Some clinicians (like physicians, APRNs, and PAs) may give genetic counseling within their own legal scope, and supervised trainees and certain federal employees are exempt. The scope lets genetic counselors order and explain genetic tests and counsel on risks and options, but they may not diagnose or treat and must refer to a physician when needed.

Electronic signatures on medical licenses

The Board of Medicine may use electronic signatures on licenses and credentials when the board president and secretary approve. This speeds up issuing and renewing licenses and reduces paperwork.

Pathways for international medical graduates

The Board can license graduates of medical schools outside the U.S. who meet set rules. You generally must pass all parts of the USMLE within 10 years, or hold current ABMS specialty certification. You must complete required graduate medical education, have ECFMG certification (or an equivalent license plus five years of full‑time practice for some applicants), and show English ability. The law also allows other routes like certain fellowships, employer sponsorship, or endorsements under board rules.

Privacy and record rights for licensees

The Board keeps permanent records, but you can see your file and add a statement. The Board may remove reports it finds without merit and must notify you within 30 days when it adds certain outside information. Physicians may join a board‑approved health program voluntarily for monitored treatment; if there are no related complaints and you comply, it is not public or disciplinary. The health program must report noncompliance to the Board within 24 hours.

Stricter screening for new licensees

First‑time applicants must submit fingerprints for state and FBI criminal history checks and pay the actual costs. Results stay confidential, and attorneys may submit a Supreme Court letter of good standing instead of fingerprints. If your license was revoked or suspended in another state and you were not licensed in West Virginia, the Board will not license you until you are reinstated in that other state. The Board also withholds licensure when prior out‑of‑state actions match West Virginia’s unprofessional conduct rules until reinstatement elsewhere.

New medical license options and waivers

The Board may grant a restricted license without examination to exceptional, foreign‑trained physicians in extraordinary cases with a three‑fourths board vote; denials are not appealable. Medical school faculty appointed in West Virginia can get a one‑year, location‑limited license without an exam if licensed elsewhere and qualified. Doctors who practice at a children’s summer camp for one designated three‑week period each year get their license processed without a fee. The law also creates an administrative medicine license for nonclinical work only; holders cannot treat patients or prescribe and must complete at least 50 hours of CME every two years and pay the regular renewal fees.

New makeup and rules for Board of Medicine

The Board of Medicine now has 15 seats: the state health officer, eight doctors, one podiatrist, two physician assistants, and three citizen members. Doctors, PAs, and podiatrists on the Board must live in West Virginia, have held a full WV license for five years, and have been in active clinical practice in WV for five years. Citizen members appointed after January 1, 2026 must have five years of WV residency and cannot be licensed providers or have financial ties to regulated professions. Terms start October 1, with limits on back‑to‑back full terms and clear vacancy rules. Members automatically forfeit their seat for events like felony conviction, nonresidency, or license loss, and disciplinary actions need at least five yes votes or a larger majority of those present.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew Rohrbach

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Joe Ellington

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 127 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 382)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 268)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  4. To Governor 3/10/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/10/2026Senate

  5. To Governor 3/10/2026

    3/10/2026House

  6. On 3rd reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  7. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026Senate

  8. Passed Senate (Roll No. 382)

    3/9/2026Senate

  9. Communicated to House

    3/9/2026Senate

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/9/2026Senate

  11. House received Senate message

    3/9/2026House

  12. On 2nd reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  13. Read 2nd time

    3/6/2026Senate

  14. On 1st reading

    3/5/2026Senate

  15. Read 1st time

    3/5/2026Senate

  16. Introduced in Senate

    3/4/2026Senate

  17. Committee reference dispensed

    3/4/2026Senate

  18. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  19. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026House

  20. Passed House (Roll No. 268)

    3/3/2026House

  21. Communicated to Senate

    3/3/2026House

  22. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/2/2026House

  23. Read 2nd time

    3/2/2026House

  24. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

    2/27/2026House

  25. Read 1st time

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in