How to Become an LPN in Colorado 2026
Becoming an LPN in Colorado requires completing a state-approved practical nursing program, applying to the Colorado Board of Nursing, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Programs typically run 12 to 18 months. Colorado participates in the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, so a compact privilege license is valid in other eNLC member states.
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Colorado LPNs work across a range of settings: long-term care facilities, clinics, physician offices, and home health agencies. The license is issued by the Colorado Board of Nursing under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The steps to get licensed are the same regardless of which setting you’re targeting.
On this page:
- LPN Licensing Requirements in Colorado
- Endorsement and Out-of-State Licensing
- Colorado’s Nurse Licensure Compact Status
- Renewing Your Colorado LPN License
- Where Colorado LPNs Work
- Colorado LPN Salary and Job Outlook
LPN Licensing Requirements in Colorado
There are three steps to an initial Colorado LPN license: complete a board-approved program, apply to the Colorado Board of Nursing, and pass the NCLEX-PN. All three must be completed before you can practice.
Step 1: Complete a Board-Approved Practical Nursing Program
Colorado practical nursing programs run approximately 12 to 18 months and end with a certificate or diploma. The Colorado Board of Nursing maintains a list of Colorado LPN programs approved by the Board. Completing one of those programs is what makes you eligible to apply for a license and sit for the NCLEX-PN. The curriculum includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical hours.
Some LPNs enter through a career ladder structure. A few Colorado nursing programs allow students to exit at the practical nursing level, then return to complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree for RN licensure. LPN to RN bridge programs are worth factoring in if you’re thinking longer-term.
Step 2: Apply to the Colorado Board of Nursing
After completing your program, submit an application to the Colorado Board of Nursing through DORA. The application includes a criminal background check with fingerprinting. Once the board approves your application, Pearson VUE will issue your authorization to test (ATT), which allows you to schedule the NCLEX-PN.
Step 3: Pass the NCLEX-PN
The NCLEX-PN is the national licensing exam for practical nurses, developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) through Pearson VUE. Your Colorado LPN license is issued after you pass. The exam is computer-adaptive, meaning the question count varies based on your performance. Most candidates complete it in under three hours.
Endorsement and Out-of-State Licensing
LPNs licensed in another state can apply for a Colorado LPN license by endorsement through the DPO Online Services system. Colorado participates in the Nursys license verification system. If your current state participates in Nursys, the verification is completed through that system. If your current state doesn’t participate in Nursys, use the Board’s “Original (Non-NURSYS Participating States) Verification” form, which the Board supplies as a downloadable document on its LPN Applications page.
Nurses who have not practiced on an active license within the past two years must submit a Competency to Practice Form as part of the endorsement process. Contact the Colorado Board of Nursing directly to confirm current documentation requirements before submitting your application, as procedures can change.
Colorado’s Nurse Licensure Compact Status
Colorado has been a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) since January 2018, when Governor Hickenlooper signed SB 18-027. Under the compact, nurses whose primary state of residence is Colorado can hold a multistate license that’s valid in all other eNLC member states without applying for additional licenses in each.
As of January 2, 2024, nurses who hold a multistate license from another compact state and change their primary state of residence to Colorado must apply to the Colorado Board of Nursing for a new multistate license within 60 days of that move. Failure to do so within that window risks having your previous license expire. Check your compact status through NCSBN’s Nursys database before assuming coverage.
Renewing Your Colorado LPN License
Colorado LPN licenses expire on August 31 of even-numbered years. Colorado does not require continuing education hours to renew a practical nurse license. Renewal is handled online through the DORA DPO Online Services system. Practicing on an expired license is a violation of Colorado nursing law.
Nurses who have not worked on an active license in the past two years and are reinstating or reactivating a license must demonstrate continued competency, typically through completion of a Board-recognized refresher course. That requirement does not apply to standard on-time renewals.
Where Colorado LPNs Work
Long-term care facilities remain the largest employment sector for Colorado LPNs. Nursing homes and assisted living communities employ LPNs for direct patient care, medication administration, and supervisory roles in some cases. Clinics and physician offices have also become significant employers, with LPNs performing blood draws, administering medications and injections, taking vital signs, and managing patient intake.
Home health is a growing segment. LPNs in home health carry out skilled nursing services in patients’ homes, including tracheostomy care, catheter management, wound treatment, and feeding tube management. Some specialize in pediatric private duty nursing. Correctional facilities also employ LPNs, as do some hospital units, though hospital-based LPN employment has declined as a share of overall LPN jobs over the past two decades.
LPNs who want to expand their scope in certain settings can apply for a separate IV Authority from the Colorado Board of Nursing. IV therapy is not within the standard LPN scope without it. Obtaining IV Authority requires completing a Board-approved IV certification course with supervised clinical hours.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses. For those considering a step into nursing before committing to an LPN program, CNA certification in Colorado is a shorter route that works in many of the same settings.
Colorado LPN Salary and Job Outlook
Colorado LPN wages run above the national median. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado LPNs earned a median annual salary of $73,880 as of May 2025, compared to the national median of $64,400 for the same period. Wages vary by metro area.
| Location | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Colorado (statewide) | $73,880 |
| Boulder, CO | $76,800 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $75,810 |
| Pueblo, CO | $70,080 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $68,240 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $68,360 |
| National (LPN/LVN) | $64,400 |
Job growth for Colorado LPNs is projected at 12.5% between 2022 and 2032, according to Projections Central, with an average of 460 job openings per year statewide. That growth is driven largely by demand in long-term care and home health as Colorado’s population ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Colorado?
Most Colorado practical nursing programs run 12 to 18 months. After completing your program, you’ll need time to submit your board application, clear the background check, receive your ATT, and schedule and sit for the NCLEX-PN. From program start to licensed LPN, most candidates are looking at 14 to 20 months total.
Is Colorado part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Colorado is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). LPNs whose primary state of residence is Colorado can hold a multistate license that’s valid in other compact states. Check with the Colorado Board of Nursing or the NCSBN’s Nursys database to confirm your specific license type and compact privileges.
How do I renew my Colorado LPN license?
Colorado LPN licenses expire on August 31 of even-numbered years and are renewed online through the DORA DPO Online Services system. Colorado does not require continuing education hours for standard LPN renewal. If you’ve been out of practice on an active license for two or more years and are reinstating or reactivating, you’ll need to demonstrate continued competency through a Board-recognized refresher course before returning to practice.
Can Colorado LPNs administer IV medications?
IV therapy is not within the standard LPN scope of practice in Colorado without a separate IV Authority from the Board. Obtaining IV Authority requires completing a Board-approved IV certification course that includes supervised clinical hours. The Colorado Board of Nursing’s LPN Applications page lists the IV Authority application and the required competency checklist.
What’s the difference between an LPN and an RN in Colorado?
The core difference is the scope of practice. Colorado LPNs work under the supervision of an RN or physician and are limited in the assessments and independent decisions they can make. RNs carry primary responsibility for patient care planning, perform broader assessments, and make independent clinical judgments. The educational path also differs: LPN programs run 12 to 18 months, while RN programs require an associate degree (typically two years) or a bachelor’s degree (four years). See Colorado RN licensing requirements for the full registered nurse path.
Key Takeaways
- Three steps to licensure — Complete a board-approved practical nursing program, apply to the Colorado Board of Nursing, and pass the NCLEX-PN.
- Colorado is an eNLC compact state — A multistate license is valid in all other enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact member states.
- Two-year renewal cycle, no CE required — Colorado LPN licenses expire August 31 of even-numbered years. Colorado does not require continuing education hours for standard renewal.
- Colorado LPN wages exceed the national median — The statewide median is $73,880 as of May 2025, compared to $64,400 nationally (BLS).
- 460 job openings per year — Projections Central projects 12.5% employment growth for Colorado LPNs between 2022 and 2032.
Find Colorado-approved LPN programs, application requirements, and licensing resources using the tool below.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.