Most LPN programs require a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA (often 2.0 to 2.3), passing scores on an entrance exam, and completion of clinical readiness steps like a background check and immunizations. The exact list varies by program, but the core prerequisites fall into a few predictable categories.
Education and GPA Requirements
A high school diploma or GED is the baseline requirement for every LPN program. Beyond that, many programs ask for a minimum cumulative GPA. Vincennes University, for example, requires a 2.3 cumulative GPA for admission, and any semester GPA below 2.0 automatically disqualifies a candidate. If you’ve been out of high school for a while and don’t have recent grades, some programs require you to complete a set number of college-level credits first. At Vincennes, that means nine credit hours at the 100 level or above with at least a 2.3 GPA and no grade lower than a C.
Programs that require prerequisite coursework generally expect a C or better in each class. Some schools also impose a time limit on how old your coursework can be. NYU’s nursing program, for instance, requires all prerequisites to have been completed within the past 10 years.
Prerequisite Courses
Not every LPN program requires college-level prerequisite courses. Many vocational and community college programs include all the necessary science and math instruction within the program itself, so you can enter with just a high school diploma. Others, particularly those at four-year universities or competitive community colleges, expect you to arrive with certain courses already completed.
When prerequisite courses are required, the typical list includes:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II: The foundation for understanding how the body works and what happens when it doesn’t.
- Microbiology: Covers bacteria, viruses, and infection, which are central to nursing practice.
- Chemistry with lab: Usually one introductory course. Lab work is often required for chemistry specifically, even when other science courses don’t need it.
- Nutrition: Dietary science as it relates to patient health and recovery.
- Developmental psychology: Human growth and behavior across the lifespan, from infancy through old age.
- Statistics or basic math: Enough to handle medication dosage calculations and interpret health data.
If your target program doesn’t list specific prerequisites on its website, call the admissions office directly. Requirements can differ significantly even between two programs in the same city.
Entrance Exams
Many LPN programs require you to pass a standardized entrance exam before admission. The two most common are the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) exam. Some programs accept either one, while others specify which test they want.
The TEAS tests a broad, generalized academic foundation: reading comprehension, math, science, and English. The HESI is more comprehensive, requiring specialized knowledge across multiple content areas. There’s actually a version of the HESI designed specifically for LPN program applicants. Each school sets its own minimum score, so there’s no single “passing” number. Check with your program to find out which exam they require and what score you need to hit. Study guides and practice tests are widely available for both.
BLS Certification
Before you start clinical rotations, you’ll need a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association. This is different from a standard community CPR class. The BLS course is designed specifically for healthcare professionals and covers high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, along with AED use, airway obstruction relief, and team-based resuscitation skills.
The certification card is valid for two years. Some programs want you to have it before your first day; others give you a deadline within the first semester. Either way, plan to complete it early so it doesn’t hold up your clinical placement.
Immunizations and TB Screening
Clinical sites are healthcare facilities, and they won’t let you through the door without proof that you’re up to date on vaccinations. The typical immunization checklist includes:
- Hepatitis B: A three-dose vaccine series plus a blood test confirming immunity.
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): Proof of immunity through blood titers or documentation of two vaccine doses.
- Varicella (chickenpox): A positive blood titer or two doses of the vaccine.
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): Must have been given within the past 10 years.
- Influenza: An annual flu shot, required before each flu season.
- COVID-19: Varies by clinical site.
You’ll also need tuberculosis screening. The standard initial screening is a two-step TB skin test or a blood-based test called an IGRA. After that, you’ll need annual TB screening for as long as you’re in the program. If you’ve ever tested positive for TB, you’ll need documentation of follow-up treatment.
Start gathering your immunization records early. Tracking down old records, getting blood titers drawn, and completing multi-dose vaccine series can take months.
Background Check and Drug Screening
A criminal background check is standard for LPN program admission, and it’s separate from any background check your state board of nursing will run when you apply for licensure later. Clinical facilities require it because you’ll be working directly with patients, including vulnerable populations.
Drug screening is also required before you begin clinical coursework. The panel is extensive, covering alcohol, marijuana, opioids, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, and many other substances. If you take prescription medications that could trigger a positive result, you’ll typically need to provide documentation from your prescribing provider. A positive result without a valid prescription will prevent you from progressing to clinicals, which effectively stops your program.
Transcripts and Application Documents
For the application itself, you’ll need to submit official transcripts from your high school and any colleges you’ve attended. Transcripts must show all relevant coursework, grades, credit hours, and dates of attendance. If you earned a degree or certificate, that should be noted on the transcript as well.
Most standard LPN applications do not require letters of recommendation or a personal statement. These are more common for RN and BSN programs. The exception is if you have a criminal or disciplinary history that you need to disclose on your application. In that case, some state boards require supporting documentation, including professional letters of recommendation and a written explanation of the circumstances.
Citizenship and Residency
Some states require proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency for licensure. Louisiana, for example, lists this as a minimum qualification for taking the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Requirements vary by state, so if you’re not a U.S. citizen, check with your state board of practical nursing before you invest time and money in a program. The rules that apply to program admission and the rules that apply to licensure after graduation can be different, and it’s the licensure rules that ultimately determine whether you can work.