Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) requires a high school diploma, completion of a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12 to 18 months), and a passing score on the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. The entire process can take as little as one year, making it one of the fastest routes into a nursing career.
Education You Need Before Applying
Every LPN program requires proof of a high school diploma or GED. Beyond that, admission requirements vary by school, but most programs expect you to have completed basic coursework in biology, math, and English. Some programs are competitive enough to set minimum GPA thresholds, so strong grades in science courses help your application stand out.
Many programs also require the ATI TEAS exam, a standardized test that measures your readiness in four areas: reading, math, science, and English language usage. At Penn State Berks, for example, the minimum composite score for consideration is 48%, with individual subject minimums ranging from 35% in science to 55% in reading. These cutoffs vary by school, and competitive programs often expect scores well above the minimum. Free study guides and practice tests are widely available online, and most testing centers let you retake the exam if your first attempt falls short.
What Practical Nursing Programs Cover
State-approved practical nursing programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical rotations. Most run 12 to 18 months and are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospital-based programs. You’ll study anatomy, physiology, nutrition, infection control, and patient care fundamentals.
Pharmacology is a core component. Programs must cover commonly used drugs and how they work, dosage calculations, medication preparation, and the principles of administering medications safely. In California, the state board requires a minimum of 54 hours of pharmacology theory alone. Clinical rotations then put this knowledge into practice in real healthcare settings, where you’ll work with patients under supervision in hospitals, nursing homes, or outpatient clinics.
Make sure whatever program you choose is approved by your state’s board of nursing. Graduating from an unapproved program can disqualify you from sitting for the licensing exam entirely.
Background Checks, Drug Screens, and Health Requirements
Expect a criminal background check at two points: when you enter your nursing program and again when you apply for your license. Thirty-six states require fingerprint-based background checks, which are the most thorough method. The remaining states use name-based searches or self-disclosure. You’ll pay for the background check yourself, typically between $30 and $75.
A criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. State boards evaluate each case individually, weighing the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and whether you pose a risk to patients. If you have concerns about your history, many state boards offer a pre-application review so you can find out where you stand before investing time and money in a program.
Drug screening is standard. Most nursing programs run a 10-panel drug test, and a positive result for any substance, including marijuana even in states where it’s legal recreationally, will disqualify you. You’ll also need to meet immunization requirements, including documented vaccinations and tuberculosis screening, before you can participate in clinical rotations.
Passing the NCLEX-PN
After graduating from your nursing program, the final step is passing the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The test is computerized and adaptive, meaning it adjusts its difficulty based on your answers. You’ll face between 85 and 205 questions, and the exam ends once the computer has enough information to determine whether you’ve met the passing standard.
The NCLEX-PN covers safe and effective care, health promotion, physiological integrity, and psychosocial needs. Most graduates take the exam within a few weeks of finishing their program, and results typically come back within 48 hours. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake it after a 45-day waiting period.
What LPNs Actually Do
LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. Day-to-day work includes monitoring vital signs, changing wound dressings, inserting catheters, collecting lab samples, administering medications, and updating patient health records. The specific tasks you’re allowed to perform depend on your state’s scope-of-practice laws. Some states permit LPNs to start IV lines and administer IV medications, while others restrict those tasks to RNs.
Most LPNs work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, home health agencies, or physician offices. Hospital positions exist but are less common than they once were, as many hospitals have shifted toward hiring RNs for bedside care. The work is physically demanding and emotionally rewarding, with shifts that often include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Moving Up: LPN to RN Bridge Programs
Many LPNs eventually pursue registered nursing through bridge programs designed to build on the education you already have. These programs give you credit for your practical nursing training, reducing both the time and cost of earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The Community College of Denver, for instance, offers an LPN-to-BSN bridge that maximizes transfer credits so you can go from practical nurse to a four-year nursing degree without starting over.
Bridge program prerequisites typically include English composition and two semesters of anatomy and physiology with lab work. Science courses generally can’t be more than ten years old at the time of application, so if your original coursework is aging, plan to retake those classes. You’ll need a C or higher in every prerequisite, and the same background check, drug screening, and immunization requirements apply all over again.
Working as an LPN while completing a bridge program is common and gives you a practical advantage: you’re earning a paycheck in healthcare while classmates without clinical experience are still building foundational skills.