Traditional Educational Permits
All medical school graduates participating in graduate medical training in West Virginia must have a West Virginia medical license or an educational permit issued by the Board. This applies to medical school graduates participating in residency (including intern year) and fellowship training. This requirement also applies to graduate medical training participants in other states who intend to complete training rotations within West Virginia.
An educational permit is not a license to practice medicine and surgery in West Virginia. An educational permit only authorizes the holder to practice medicine and surgery within the auspices of his or her training program. To practice medicine and surgery in West Virginia outside of a training program, a physician must be licensed by the Board.
Permits are issued for up to a one-year period. Educational permits expire on June 30th of every year, consistent with the traditional conclusion of the graduate medical training year. Permits are renewable for as long as the permit holder continues to participate in graduate medical training in West Virginia.
Initial Educational Permit Application
Reciprocal Educational Permits
Physicians who are in residency in another state and who want to complete a training rotation in West Virginia must hold a reciprocal training permit or a West Virginia medical license. Reciprocal educational permits are limited to a nonrenewable 60-day period.
If you need to apply for a reciprocal educational permit please contact Sheree.J.Thompson@wv.gov.