Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a state-approved practical nursing program, and a passing score on the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. The entire process typically takes 12 to 18 months from start to finish, making it one of the fastest entry points into a nursing career.
Education You Need Before Applying
The baseline requirement is a high school diploma or GED. Most practical nursing programs also expect you to pass a background check and a basic skills test before admission. While specific prerequisite courses vary by program, a strong foundation in biology, anatomy, and math will help you keep up with the coursework once you’re in.
What an LPN Program Looks Like
Practical nursing programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospitals. They typically run three to four semesters. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in simulation labs and real clinical settings. At the Community College of Denver, for example, students complete 405 hours of clinical rotation at local healthcare facilities on top of their classroom and lab work.
Coursework covers anatomy, pharmacology, nutrition, infection control, and basic nursing skills like wound care, medication administration, and patient assessment. Clinical rotations give you supervised experience working directly with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or outpatient clinics. You graduate with a certificate or diploma in practical nursing, not an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Passing the NCLEX-PN
After finishing your program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, known as the NCLEX-PN. This is a computerized adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of each question adjusts based on your previous answers. It covers safe and effective care, health promotion, physiological integrity, and psychosocial integrity.
You register for the exam through your state board of nursing and through Pearson VUE, which administers the test. The minimum number of questions is 85, and you can receive up to 150. Most candidates finish within two to three hours. Results are typically available within 48 hours.
Background Checks and Fingerprinting
Every state board of nursing requires a criminal background check as part of the licensing process. In most states, this includes fingerprinting through a service like IdentoGo. Your background check results and application are generally valid for one year, so timing matters if there’s a gap between completing your program and applying for licensure. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify you or require additional review by the board before a license is granted.
What LPNs Can and Cannot Do
LPNs work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or physician. The scope of practice is defined at the state level, but the general framework is consistent: LPNs carry out nursing interventions, collect patient data, provide basic patient and family education, administer medications, perform wound care, and monitor vital signs. They report changes in a patient’s condition to the supervising RN.
There are clear boundaries. LPNs cannot independently perform a comprehensive initial assessment, formulate a nursing diagnosis, or develop a nursing care plan. They contribute to all of these processes, but the RN holds responsibility for clinical decision-making. In many states, certain components of IV therapy are also outside the LPN scope of practice, though some states allow it with additional training and certification. LPNs can hold administrative roles, but they cannot direct or supervise an RN.
Physical Demands of the Job
Nursing is physically demanding work. You’ll spend long stretches on your feet, bend frequently, and help move or reposition patients. While OSHA doesn’t set a specific lifting requirement for nurses, research published in the American Journal of Nursing has recommended 35 pounds as the upper limit for manual patient transfers. In practice, most healthcare facilities use mechanical lifting equipment for heavier patients, but you should be comfortable with sustained physical activity throughout a shift.
Keeping Your License Active
Once licensed, you’ll need to renew on a regular schedule. Most states require renewal every two years. The continuing education requirements vary dramatically by state. Some states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Vermont, require zero continuing education hours for renewal. Others, like California, New Hampshire, and New Mexico, require up to 30 contact hours per renewal cycle. A few states let you satisfy competency requirements through alternatives like logging a minimum number of practice hours, maintaining a national certification, or completing college-level coursework instead of traditional continuing education units.
Check your state board of nursing’s website for the exact renewal timeline and CE requirements where you plan to practice. If you move to a different state, you’ll need to apply for licensure by endorsement in that state, which may come with its own set of requirements including additional background checks.