Getting into a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program requires a combination of prerequisite coursework, a passing score on a nursing entrance exam, and several non-academic requirements like background checks and immunizations. Most programs are housed at community colleges or vocational schools, take about 12 to 18 months to complete, and admit students on a competitive or first-qualified basis. Here’s what you need to do, step by step.
Complete the Right Prerequisite Courses
LPN programs expect you to arrive with a foundation in science, math, and communication. The specific courses vary by school, but a typical list looks like this:
- Anatomy and Physiology (or a combined “Body Structure and Function” course)
- Biology or Chemistry at the high school or college level
- English Composition or Written Communication
- Math (demonstrated through testing, college coursework, or a related degree)
- Human Growth and Development
- Oral or Interpersonal Communication
Many schools also require you to hold a Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification or complete a CNA course before you can apply. This is both a prerequisite and a way for the program to confirm you’ve had hands-on exposure to patient care. Some programs give extra weight in their admissions scoring to applicants with CNA experience, so earning that certification early is a smart move even when it’s not strictly required.
Pay attention to expiration dates on coursework. Some schools require that prerequisite courses were taken within the last 10 years, and you’ll need a grade of C or better in each one. A strong GPA in your prerequisites makes your application more competitive, especially at schools that use a points-based ranking system to select students.
Pass a Nursing Entrance Exam
Nearly every LPN program requires a standardized entrance exam. The two most common are the ATI TEAS and the HESI A2. Your school will tell you which one they accept, and some accept either.
The ATI TEAS covers four areas: reading, math, English and language usage, and science. A competitive minimum is typically around 75% in reading, math, and English, with science scores at roughly 59% or above considered proficient. The HESI A2 tests similar skills, and required composite scores generally range from 70% to 85% depending on the program. Some schools set a hard cutoff, while others use your score as one factor in a weighted admissions formula.
Test scores usually must be recent. A common window is within four years of your intended start date. You can retake most entrance exams if your first score falls short, though schools often limit the number of attempts per year. Budget time to study: free practice tests are available online for both the TEAS and HESI, and prep books with full-length practice exams cost $25 to $40. Focus your study time on math fundamentals (fractions, ratios, dosage-style word problems) and basic anatomy, since those sections trip up the most applicants.
Budget for Tuition and Fees
LPN programs at community colleges are significantly cheaper than those at private vocational schools. At a public community college, total program costs typically fall between $8,700 and $12,700 for the full diploma, covering tuition, technology fees, student activity fees, and parking. That range is for a program of roughly 40 credits. Private and for-profit schools can charge $15,000 to $30,000 or more for essentially the same credential, so compare carefully before committing.
Beyond tuition, expect additional out-of-pocket expenses: uniforms, a stethoscope and other clinical supplies, textbook bundles (often $500 to $1,000), background check and drug screening fees, immunization costs if you need boosters, and nursing entrance exam fees (around $50 to $100 per attempt). Financial aid, including federal Pell Grants and subsidized loans, applies to most accredited programs. Fill out the FAFSA well before your application deadline.
Handle Background Checks and Health Requirements
Before you set foot in a clinical site, you’ll need to clear a criminal background check and pass a urine drug screen. Programs maintain a zero-tolerance policy on substance use: a failed or diluted drug test typically results in dismissal, sometimes with only one chance to retest.
A criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it adds steps. If you have any misdemeanor or felony on your record, even one that’s been expunged, you may be asked to write a letter explaining the circumstances. The program forwards that to the clinical partner (usually a hospital or long-term care facility), and the facility decides whether to grant you access. A traffic infraction over $1,000 can trigger the same review. If you know you have something on your record, contact the program’s admissions office before applying so you understand your options.
Health requirements are equally specific. You’ll need a physical exam completed within three months of enrollment, along with documented immunizations and blood titer results for:
- Hepatitis B: full vaccination series plus a positive titer (blood test confirming immunity)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): positive titer
- Varicella (chickenpox): positive titer
- Tdap: booster within the last 10 years
- Flu vaccine: annual, required each clinical year
- Tuberculosis screening: two-step TB skin test, then annual testing
If you were vaccinated as a child but can’t locate records, a titer blood draw at your doctor’s office will confirm whether you still have immunity. If a titer comes back negative, you’ll need a booster and a retest. Start this process early because the hepatitis B series alone takes six months to complete if you’re starting from scratch.
Know the Application Timeline
Most LPN programs admit students once a year, with cohorts starting in summer or fall. That means missing a deadline can delay you by a full 12 months. A realistic timeline looks like this:
About 12 to 18 months before your intended start date, begin completing prerequisites and earning your CNA certification if required. Six to nine months out, take your entrance exam so you have time to retake it if needed. Four to six months out, schedule your physical, start any immunization series you’re missing, and order your background check. When the application window opens (often in late winter or early spring for a summer/fall start), submit everything at once: transcripts, test scores, health documents, and any supplemental materials.
Some programs use rolling admissions or accept students on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis, which means submitting a complete application early gives you a real advantage. Others rank all applicants after the deadline closes using a weighted scoring system that factors in GPA, entrance exam scores, and healthcare experience. Either way, a complete application submitted on time is non-negotiable. Missing a single document can bump you to the next cycle.
What Happens Once You’re In
LPN programs combine classroom learning with supervised clinical rotations. State requirements vary, but programs must provide a minimum number of direct patient care hours. Virginia, for example, requires at least 400 clinical hours for practical nursing students, and no more than 25% of those hours can come from simulation labs. The rest must be spent with real patients in real healthcare settings.
Clinical rotations typically take place in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics. You’ll practice skills like wound care, medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and patient communication under the direct supervision of a nursing instructor. Programs build these rotations into your schedule, so you won’t need to find your own placement, but you will need to be flexible with hours. Many clinical shifts start early in the morning or run on weekends.
After graduation, you’ll sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing exam. Passing it makes you a Licensed Practical Nurse in your state. Most graduates take the exam within a few weeks of finishing their program, and first-time pass rates at well-regarded community college programs typically exceed 80%.