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Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse
LPN (or LVN in California and Texas) licensure requires completing a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12–18 months) and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. NLC compact membership, IV therapy authorization, and scope of practice vary by state.
51
States Covered
41
NLC Member States
21
IV Cert Required
$0
Avg. License Fee
LPN/LVN licensure follows a standardized national exam process through NCSBN, with state-specific requirements for scope of practice, supervision, and IV therapy.
LPN candidates must complete a state-approved practical nursing program (diploma or certificate, typically 12–18 months) and pass the NCLEX-PN exam administered by NCSBN. The NCLEX-PN uses Computer Adaptive Testing and costs $200. Programs must meet state board of nursing approval standards.
Most US states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC/eNLC), which allows LPNs to hold a multistate license valid in all member states — essential for travel nursing and cross-border practice. LPNs practice under the supervision of RNs, physicians, or other licensed providers, with supervision requirements varying by setting and state.
IV therapy authorization varies significantly by state. Some states allow LPNs full IV therapy privileges after a certification course; others restrict IV administration entirely or limit it to specific settings. Medication administration scope, including controlled substances, also varies. These differences make state selection critical for LPNs.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Title | NLC Member | IV Therapy | Supervision | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision; direction may be provided on-site or through telecommunication | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision; direction provided by a registered nurse or physician | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 15 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | LVN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 18 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 20 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 20 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 36 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 14 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 15 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 25 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 12 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 20 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 12 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | LPN | No | Yes | General supervision | — | 20 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 10 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 5 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | LVN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 20 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 30 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 20 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 8 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 24 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | LPN | Yes | Yes | General supervision | — | 0 | March 2026 |
LPN is often the first step toward becoming an RN. Explore licensing requirements across the nursing career pathway.
NCLEX-PN prep tips, NLC compact state list, IV therapy authorization by state, medication administration scope comparison, supervision requirements, and CE obligations — all in one guide.
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