Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) takes about one year of education, followed by passing a national licensing exam. It’s one of the fastest paths into nursing, and with a median annual salary of $62,340 as of May 2024, it offers a solid entry point into healthcare with room to grow.
What LPNs Actually Do
LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians. Day-to-day work includes taking vital signs, administering medications, changing wound dressings, inserting catheters, and monitoring patients for changes in condition. You’ll also help patients with basic needs like bathing, dressing, and mobility.
The key distinction between LPNs and RNs is independence. RNs can perform physical exams, develop comprehensive care plans, and make certain clinical judgments on their own. LPNs carry out tasks within a care plan but don’t create those plans independently. LPNs also cannot perform procedures that fall under the practice of medicine, such as spinal taps, regardless of whether a physician delegates them. The exact boundaries vary by state, so the scope of practice where you plan to work matters.
Most LPNs work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, and physician offices. Long-term care facilities employ the largest share.
Education You’ll Need
LPN programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospitals. They typically award a certificate or diploma (not a full degree) and take about 12 months of full-time study. Some part-time programs stretch to 18 months.
Coursework covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, basic nursing skills, and patient communication. You’ll also complete supervised clinical rotations in real healthcare settings. Virginia, for example, requires a minimum of 400 hours of direct client care supervised by qualified faculty, and observational hours don’t count toward that total. Some programs allow up to 25% of clinical hours to be completed through simulation labs, but the bulk of your training happens with actual patients. Other states set their own minimums, so check your state board of nursing for specifics.
Look for programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or approved by your state’s board of nursing. Graduating from an accredited or state-approved program is a licensing requirement. If a program hasn’t been issued an NCLEX code by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, you won’t be eligible to sit for the licensing exam.
Admission Requirements
You’ll need a high school diploma or GED to apply. Most programs also require an entrance exam. The most common is the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), a standardized test that measures readiness for health science programs. It has 170 questions covering reading, math, science, and English language skills, with a time limit of about three and a half hours.
Some programs use the HESI Admission Assessment instead. Beyond test scores, expect to submit proof of immunizations, complete a background check, and possibly pass a drug screening. CPR certification is a common prerequisite as well. Competitive programs may weigh your high school GPA, particularly in science courses, but cutoffs vary widely by school.
Passing the NCLEX-PN
After graduating, you must pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) to earn your license. Registration costs $200 and is handled through Pearson VUE, which administers the exam at testing centers nationwide. Your state board of nursing must also approve your application before you can schedule a test date, and that process involves its own fee that varies by state.
The NCLEX-PN is a computerized adaptive test, meaning it adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your previous answers. The exam covers safe and effective care, health promotion, physiological integrity, and psychosocial needs. Most candidates finish in a few hours. You’ll typically receive results within 48 hours through a quick-results service, though official confirmation comes from your state board.
If you don’t pass on the first attempt, you can retake it after a 45-day waiting period. Many first-time test takers pass, especially if they use a dedicated NCLEX prep course or question bank during the weeks after graduation.
Getting Licensed in Your State
Nursing licenses are issued by individual state boards, and requirements differ slightly from state to state. Every state requires NCLEX-PN passage, graduation from an approved program, and a background check. Some states add fingerprinting or additional application steps.
One major advantage for LPNs is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Currently, 43 states and jurisdictions participate. If you live in a compact state and meet the requirements, you can obtain a multistate license that lets you practice in any other compact state without applying for a separate license. This is especially useful if you live near a state border or want to do travel nursing. If you move to a new compact state, you have 60 days to apply for licensure in your new home state.
Career Outlook and Pay
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $62,340 for LPNs as of May 2024. Pay varies significantly by setting and location. LPNs in metropolitan areas and those working in hospitals or home health tend to earn more than those in rural areas or outpatient clinics.
Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, roughly matching the average for all occupations. Demand is driven largely by an aging population that needs long-term care. Turnover in nursing also creates steady openings even beyond new job growth.
Keeping Your License Active
Once licensed, you’ll need to renew periodically, typically every two years. Most states require continuing education (CE) hours as part of renewal. California, for instance, requires 30 contact hours of CE every two years for nurses. The exact number and approved topics differ by state, but common options include online courses, workshops, and employer-provided training. First-time renewals sometimes come with a CE exemption if you recently passed the NCLEX.
Advancing Beyond the LPN
Many LPNs use the role as a stepping stone. LPN-to-RN bridge programs let you earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in about one year since you’ve already covered foundational coursework. Some programs go further with LPN-to-BSN tracks that result in a bachelor’s degree. If you’re already enrolled in an RN program, some states allow you to apply for LPN licensure once you’ve completed coursework equivalent to the practical nursing curriculum, through what’s called a Practical Nursing Equivalency option.
Specializations are also available without advancing to RN. LPNs can earn certifications in IV therapy, wound care, long-term care, or gerontology, all of which can increase your value to employers and open doors to higher-paying positions.