West VirginiaSanitarian training moves online when applicable
The board provides approved online training when applicable and must adopt universal reciprocity reforms by May 1, 2026.
What it does
Approved training is available online when applicable, and local health departments may provide on-the-job training when Bureau staff are unavailable.
A registered sanitarian with five years of West Virginia work experience may certify applicants who have completed their courses and on-the-job training.
The board must adopt the Legislature's 2025 universal reciprocity reforms by May 1, 2026.
Sanitarian-in-training permit holders must complete a 300-hour course within a year of being hired and may practice for up to three years. The board may waive these limits for undue hardship.
Argument forYear-round online training could help applicants fit training around their schedules, and local health departments may provide on-the-job training when Bureau staff are unavailable.
Argument againstApplicants could face pressure to finish a 300-hour course within a year or complete online training within six months of being hired.
More detail
The board approves Bureau or other approved-entity training, and provides it online instead of in person when applicable. The training rules apply to applicants for sanitarian licenses and certificates. The training must be developed and provided by the Bureau or another approved entity. When Bureau personnel are unavailable, applicants may receive on-the-job training at a local health department. Applicants may begin and complete online training at any time during the year. They must be able to complete it within six months of being hired, not counting on-the-job training.
An experienced registered sanitarian may certify that an applicant completed the required courses and on-the-job training. The certifier must hold a registered sanitarian credential and have five years of work experience in West Virginia. The applicant must have satisfactorily completed both training courses and on-the-job training.
The board must adopt the Legislature's 2025 universal reciprocity reforms. The requirement applies to the West Virginia Board of Sanitarians. The adoption deadline is May 1, 2026.
A sanitarian-in-training must complete a board-approved course of at least 300 hours within 12 months of being hired. The requirements apply to people seeking or holding a sanitarian-in-training permit; applicants must also have good moral character and an associate's or higher degree from an accredited college or university. The board may waive the course deadline and the three-year practice limit for a person who experiences undue hardship, as determined by the board. The course must be completed within 12 months of hiring, and practice may not exceed three years, unless the board grants an undue-hardship waiver.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 162, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 25Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026Major
- Mar 18To Governor 3/18/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded EFFECT FROM PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14Effective from passage (Roll No. 634)
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and title amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 633)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 10Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Effective from passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Effective from passage (Roll No. 400)
- Mar 10Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 399)Passed Senate
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10On 3rd reading
- Mar 9Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 9On 2nd reading
- Mar 6Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 6On 1st reading
- Mar 5Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Feb 17To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 17To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 17Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 16Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Passed House (Roll No. 92)Passed House
- Feb 16Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 16On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 13Amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 13Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Feb 13Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 12Postponed on 2nd reading, Special Calendar, until 2/13/2026
- Feb 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 12On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 11Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 11On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 10By substitute, do pass
- Jan 28To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Jan 16To House Local GovernmentsMinor
- Jan 16To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Jan 16Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 16To Government OrganizationMinor
- Jan 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
Healthcare