Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) takes about 12 months of training, followed by a licensing exam. It’s one of the fastest paths into healthcare, requiring only a high school diploma or GED to get started. Here’s what each step looks like, from choosing a program to landing your first job.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
LPN programs require completion of 12th grade or its equivalent, such as a GED. Most states set the minimum age at 17 for program entry, though you’ll need to be at least 18 to sit for the licensing exam in many states. Beyond that, individual programs may ask for prerequisite coursework in biology or English, a minimum GPA, and a passing score on an entrance exam like the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). A criminal background check and drug screening are standard parts of the application process.
Step 2: Complete an Approved LPN Program
LPN programs are offered at community colleges, technical schools, and some hospitals. They typically run about 12 months, though some programs stretch to 18 months if taken part-time. The curriculum covers anatomy, pharmacology, nutrition, and basic nursing skills, with a significant chunk of time spent in supervised clinical rotations at hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics.
Cost varies dramatically depending on where you enroll. At a community college like Wake Tech in North Carolina, in-state tuition runs around $3,344 for the full program. Out-of-state students at the same school would pay closer to $11,800. On top of tuition, expect to budget for textbooks ($1,300 to $1,900 total), required vaccines ($470 to $900), uniforms and equipment ($260 to $350), and various fees for background checks, drug tests, and clinical software. All told, the total out-of-pocket cost at a community college often lands between $6,000 and $10,000. Private vocational schools can charge significantly more, sometimes $15,000 to $20,000 or higher, so comparing programs carefully is worth the effort.
Make sure any program you consider is approved by your state’s board of nursing. Graduating from an unapproved program can disqualify you from taking the licensing exam.
Step 3: Pass the NCLEX-PN
After graduating, you need to pass the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing exam for practical nurses. The process has a few moving parts. First, you submit a licensure application to your state’s board of nursing along with supporting documents. Your nursing program sends a letter confirming you completed the program. At the same time, you register with Pearson VUE (the testing company) and pay the $200 exam fee. Once everything is processed, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) by email, which lets you schedule your exam at a testing center.
The NCLEX-PN uses a computerized adaptive format, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your answers. The exam covers safe and effective care, health promotion, and physiological and psychosocial integrity. Most candidates finish in under three hours. If you don’t pass on the first attempt, you can retake it after a waiting period, typically 45 days.
What LPNs Actually Do
LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or physician. Day-to-day tasks include taking vital signs, administering medications, changing wound dressings, inserting catheters, collecting samples for lab work, and providing patient and family education. You’ll document observations, report changes in a patient’s condition, and help carry out the nursing care plan.
There are clear boundaries around the role. LPNs collect patient data and flag concerns, but they don’t perform comprehensive initial assessments or formulate nursing diagnoses independently. Those responsibilities belong to RNs. Some tasks, like certain types of IV therapy, fall outside LPN scope of practice in many states. The specifics vary by state, so it’s worth reviewing your state board’s regulations before assuming what you can and can’t do.
Most LPNs work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, though positions also exist in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics. Shifts often include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Salary and Job Outlook
The median annual wage for LPNs was $62,340 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by setting and location. LPNs in metropolitan areas and those working in hospitals or specialty clinics tend to earn more than those in rural areas or residential care facilities.
Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, roughly in line with the average for all occupations. An aging population and the ongoing need for long-term care keep demand steady, though the strongest growth areas may shift over time.
Moving From LPN to RN
Many LPNs treat the role as a stepping stone toward becoming a registered nurse. LPN-to-RN bridge programs let you build on your existing training rather than starting from scratch. These programs, offered at many community colleges, typically take two to three semesters beyond your LPN credential and lead to an associate degree in nursing.
Admission requirements for bridge programs are more involved than entry-level LPN programs. You’ll generally need an active, unencumbered LPN license, a minimum college GPA (often 2.5 or higher), completion of prerequisites like English composition and biology, a qualifying TEAS score, professional references, and a clean background check. Some programs cap the number of TEAS attempts, so preparing thoroughly before testing matters. After completing the bridge program, you sit for the NCLEX-RN to earn your RN license, which opens doors to higher pay, broader scope of practice, and specialization opportunities.