WV HB4014

Creates the West Virginia Micro-Credential Program under the Department of Commerce to establish standards for recognizing skills and competencies acquired through project-based and experiential learning, with priority given to manual labor and skilled trades credentials

Expands the apprenticeship training tax credit (up to $2,000 per apprentice annually) from construction trades only to all recognized trades registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, effective January 1, 2026

Establishes a Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan allowing hiring parties to contribute to health insurance, retirement, disability, and other benefits for independent contractors without creating an employer-employee relationship, with contributions excluded from state income tax

Streamlines professional licensure for military-trained applicants by removing the requirement to pass a proficiency examination if their military occupational specialty training is substantially equivalent to state licensing requirements

Eliminates initial application fees for military-trained applicants seeking professional licenses and clarifies that qualifying applicants include active Armed Forces members, National Guard members, and veterans with honorable discharges