West Virginia

West Virginia credentials two types of addiction counselors. An Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a high school diploma, completion of 270 hours of relevant education courses and three years of experience. An Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a master’s degree, completion of 180 hours of relevant education courses and three years of experience. W. Va. Code §16-5Y and West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals

Licensed professional counselors may assess, diagnose and develop a treatment plan for patients. The goal of these procedures is the prevention or elimination of symptomatic, maladaptive or undesired behavior, cognitions or emotions to integrate a wellness, preventative, pathology and multicultural model of human behavior. W.Va. Code §30-31-3(c)

As of August 2018, 45 NPs in West Virginia have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience an NP in independent practice can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. An NP who is prescribing while in collaborative practice with a physician may be able to receive a federal waiver with proper training or experience and as long as the collaborating physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. W. Va. Code §30-7-15b

As of August 2018, 15 PAs in West Virginia have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in West Virginia may prescribe Schedules III-V controlled substances as delegated by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in West Virginia can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. W. Va. Code §30-3E-3(7)

The standards and requirements for certification of a peer recovery specialists are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

NPs are authorized to sign physician orders for scope of treatment forms. W. Va. Code §16-30-25

Full practice authority except when when prescribing medications. Collaboration with a physician is necessary for the first three years of practice in order to prescribe. W. Va. Code §30-7-15a

An NP is required to have a three year transition to practice period before they are authorized to independently prescribe legend and Schedule III-V controlled substances. West Virginia does not allow NPs to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances.  W. Va. Code §30-7-15b

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Primary care provider means a person who may be chosen or designated in lieu of a primary care physician, who will be responsible for coordinating the health care of the subscriber, including necessary referrals to other providers, and includes an advanced nurse practitioner. W. Va. Code §33-25A-2(19)

Optometrists may examine, diagnose and treat any visual defect or abnormal condition of the eye, including removal of foreign bodies. Additional allowable procedures are outlined in statute. W. Va. Code §30-8-9

Optometrists may administer epinephrine by injection to treat emergency cases of anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Additional pharmaceutical agents by injection may be included in the rules for legislative approval. W. Va. Code §30-8-9 and W. Va. Code §30-8-15

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and Schedule II controlled substances containing hydrocodone combinations. W. Va. Code §30-8-9

A public health dental hygienist may provide services under the general supervision of a dentist and without the patient’s prior examination by a dentist in certain public settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, jails, community clinics, long-term care facilities, group homes, public health facilities, and homebound settings). The public health dental hygienist must have 2 years and 3,000 hours of practice experience and with the supervising dentist submit an annual report to the state board of dental examiners. A dental hygienist may apply fluoride, prepare an oral screening, and provide dental health education and nutritional counseling with no supervision of a licensed dentist. W. Va. Code §30-4-11

Dental therapists are not recognized in state policy as an oral health provider.

West Virginia does allow for the practice of teledentistry. Statute not yet updated.

West Virginia has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

West Virginia does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist may dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive pursuant to a standing prescription drug order, in accordance with dispensing guidelines and to a patient who is 18 years old or older. The pharmacist must complete a board-approved training program on self-administered hormonal contraceptives. The pharmacist must notify the patient’s primary care provider (if provided) and provide patient counseling at the time of dispensing. W. Va. Code §16-58

The Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health or designee can prescribe on a statewide basis permitting pharmacists to initiate and dispense a noncontrolled prescription, over-the-counter, or other professional tobacco cessation therapy to a patient who is 18 years old or older. The Board of Pharmacy shall approve a training program or programs to be eligible to participate in the utilization of the standing prescription drug order for tobacco cessation therapy by a pharmacist. A pharmacist who dispenses a tobacco cessation therapy must follow the Tobacco Cessation Therapy Protocol, approved by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health and the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine, before dispensing the tobacco cessation therapy. The protocol includes, but is not limited to, criteria for identifying individuals eligible to receive tobacco cessation therapy, procedures for initiation and monitoring of therapies and follow-up care. W. Va. Code §16-56

A physician assistant may practice in collaboration with a physician in any practice setting pursuant to a practice notification. W. Va Code §30-3E-9

A PA may prescribe drugs, devices and Schedules III-V controlled substances if delegated by the collaborating physician. A PA may only prescribe up to a three day supply of Schedule II controlled substances. W. Va. Code §30-3E-3(7)

A physician assistant may provide medical services consistent with their education, training, and experience. This may occur in any health care setting, both hospital and outpatient in accordance with their practice notification. W. Va. Code §30-3E-12