Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)

LPNs and LVNs give basic medical care to people who are ill, injured, recovering or living with disabilities. California and Texas use the title LVN.
U.S. median pay
$30.96/hr
$64,400/yr
Projected growth
+3%
2025–35
Openings per year
51,800
average, 2025–35
Typical education
Postsecondary nondegree award

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.

How people get started

A state-approved certificate or diploma program that typically takes about 1 year, with supervised clinical experience. BLS: How to become one

Licensing in one line

After an approved program you must pass an exam to be licensed by your state.

The nursing career ladder

  1. CNAState-approved training + exam
  2. LPN/LVNAbout 1-year program + exam
  3. RN (ADN or diploma)Approved program + exam
  4. RN (BSN)Typically 4 years

Pay

What LPNs and LVNs earn

Pay in every state

U.S. median hourly pay · BLS May 2025

$30.96

an hour · $64,400 a year

10th
$23.91
25th
$28.37
Median
$30.96
75th
$36.55
90th
$40.12

Hourly pay range: 10th percentile $23.91/hr, median $30.96/hr, 90th percentile $40.12/hr.

Schools

Programs that lead here

All schools content
Practical / vocational nursing (LPN/LVN) programsAbout 1 year. Certificate or diploma, then the NCLEX-PN.Accreditation: ACEN, NLN CNEA

Licensing

Licensing and verification

Find your state's board

After an approved program you must pass an exam to be licensed by your state.

“After completing a state-approved educational program, prospective LPNs and LVNs must pass an exam to become licensed and enter the occupation.” BLS

Exam: NCLEX-PN

Work in more than one state: Nurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN)

Covers rns and lpn/lvns. Check the official member map · How compacts work

Verify a nurse's license anywhere

Free nurse license and discipline lookup for participating boards of nursing. Nursys describes its data as primary source equivalent, provided directly by the boards. Nursys QuickConfirm

California

Full California guide: boards, lookups and key requirements. California LPN/LVN licensing

Clinical rotations

For students

Your first clinical rotationThe checklist, from documents to day one.Licensing examsWhich exam you'll take after graduating.From student to first shiftBoard application to first paid shift.

Work as an LPN/LVN with SHIFTit

Choose shifts that fit your life. Your credentials are verified once and travel with you to every facility on the platform.

Join SHIFTerz

Related careers and comparisons

RN vs. LPN/LVNLPN/LVN vs. CNARegistered NurseCertified Nursing AssistantMedical Assistant

Sources

Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.