Initial Licensing Fee Waiver
Effective June 6, 2019, a new law requires the Board of Medicine and other licensing authorities to waive initial licensing fees for low-income individuals and military families. The waiver only applies to the initial licensing fee and the initial Patient Injury Compensation Fund assessment fee (if applicable). Other fees incurred in association with the licensing process are the applicant’s responsibility. The waiver does not apply to individuals seeking to renew existing licenses, or to those seeking an educational permit from the Board.
Low-Income Waiver
A “low-income individual” is defined as an individual who resides in the local labor market whose household adjusted gross income is below 130% of the poverty line pursuant to the most recent annual poverty guidelines released by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To access the federal poverty guidelines, visit https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines. From the “Resources” area, click on “A chart with percentages (e.g. 125 percent) of the guidelines” and review the column marked “130%.”
The term “low-income individual” also applies to any person enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF), Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or any other state or federal public assistance program with substantially equivalent low-income eligibility requirements.
Military Family Waiver
A “military family” is defined in the law as any person who serves as an active member of the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, or a reserve component, honorably discharged veterans of those forces, and their spouses. This term also includes surviving spouses of deceased service members who have not remarried.
Application Process
Individuals seeking a waiver of the initial licensing fee as either a low-income individual or military family should submit the applicable initial licensing fee waiver application and all required documentation to the Board. Original signatures are required; therefore, applications are not accepted via fax or email. The Board will process the initial licensing fee waiver application and will provide written notification of eligibility to the applicant, via email, within 30 days of receipt of the licensing fee waiver application. The 30-day processing period does not commence until all required documentation and information has been received by the Board.
An applicant who is approved for an initial licensing fee waiver must apply for initial medical doctor, podiatric physician or physician assistant licensure within 60 days of receiving written notification from the Board. If the initial licensure application is not received within 60 days, the waiver will expire. Applicants are only eligible to receive one initial licensing fee waiver from the Board.
Approval of an initial licensing fee waiver does NOT entitle the individual to receive a West Virginia license. An individual granted an initial licensing fee waiver must still apply for licensure and meet the qualifications and criteria for licensure as set forth in W. Va. Code §30-3-1, et seq., or W. Va. Code §30-3E-a, et seq., and the Board’s corresponding legislative rules.
Low-Income Initial Licensing
Fee Waiver Instructions and Application
Military Family Initial Licensing
Fee Waiver Instructions and Application
