How to Become an LPN in Connecticut 2026
To become an LPN in Connecticut, complete a state-approved practical nursing program of at least 10 months, then pass the NCLEX-PN. The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing issues the license. Connecticut joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in October 2025, so LPN/VN licenses issued here are recognized in other compact member states.
Sponsored School(s)
Connecticut licenses practical nurses through the Board of Examiners for Nursing, a division of the state Department of Public Health. The path follows the same structure as most states: graduate from a DPH-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application. What changed recently is compact membership. Connecticut fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact in October 2025, which means Connecticut-licensed LPNs can practice in other NLC member states on a single multistate license.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, the NCLEX-PN, the application process, compact information, renewal, and salary data.
- Education requirements
- The NCLEX-PN
- Applying for your Connecticut LPN license
- Nurse Licensure Compact
- License renewal
- LPN career and salary in Connecticut
Education Requirements
The Connecticut Department of Public Health approves all practical nursing programs in the state. To qualify for licensure, you must graduate from one of these DPH-approved programs. State approval is separate from national accreditation, and both matter: the DPH list determines your eligibility to apply for a Connecticut license.
Program requirements set by the DPH include a minimum of 1,500 hours of theory instruction and a minimum program length of 10 months. At least half of those hours must be clinical training, meaning supervised, direct patient care in healthcare settings. Most programs are structured as one-year diplomas or certificates at community colleges and vocational schools. Some offer part-time schedules that extend to 18 months.
Before enrolling, confirm the program appears on the DPH’s current approved list at portal.ct.gov. The approved list is updated when programs are added or removed. Attending an unapproved program means you won’t meet the eligibility requirements for a Connecticut LPN license, regardless of the quality of the training.
Find LPN programs in Connecticut approved by the state Department of Public Health.
The NCLEX-PN
After graduating from an approved program, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The exam is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered through Pearson VUE testing centers.
The NCLEX-PN uses computer adaptive testing (CAT). The number of questions and the difficulty of those questions adjust in real time based on how you’re performing. The test measures whether you’ve reached the minimum competency standard for entry-level practical nursing, not where you rank among other candidates.
The DPH recommends registering with Pearson VUE before submitting your Connecticut licensure application. Submitting the application without Pearson VUE registration in place can delay the Board’s approval to test. Once the DPH receives your application and official transcripts from your nursing program, they will deem you eligible electronically. Pearson VUE then sends your Authorization to Test (ATT), which is what you use to schedule the exam.
Applying for Your Connecticut LPN License
Connecticut processes LPN licensure applications through the eLicense portal at elicense.ct.gov. You submit your application, pay the licensing fee, and upload required documents through that system. The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing reviews applications and communicates status updates through the same portal.
Required application materials include:
- Completed online application through eLicense
- Official transcripts from your approved nursing program
- Application fee (current fee listed at portal.ct.gov)
- State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks
Out-of-state nurses with an active LPN license can apply for licensure by endorsement through the same eLicense portal. You’ll need to provide verification of your current license and all previously held LPN licenses. Most states participate in the NCSBN’s Nursys system for electronic license verification. If your state doesn’t participate in Nursys, you’ll need to request a paper verification directly from your home state board, sent to the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing. No background check or fingerprints are required for licensure by endorsement. Employers may require them separately for hiring purposes.
Once the DPH receives your basic application and license verification, you may be eligible for a 120-day non-renewable temporary permit to practice while full licensure is pending.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Connecticut fully implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on October 1, 2025. The compact covers RNs and LPN/VNs. APRNs are not included in the NLC.
The NLC allows nurses who have Connecticut as their primary state of residence to hold a single multistate license recognized by all other compact member states. As of 2025, 43 jurisdictions participate in the NLC. A multistate license lets you practice in person or via telehealth in any compact state without applying for a separate license in each one. That matters most for travel nurses and those who work near state borders.
If you already hold a Connecticut single-state LPN license and want to convert it to a multistate license, you can apply through the eLicense portal. Conversion requires a fingerprint-based background check if you haven’t already completed one under the compact criteria.
Connecticut’s NLC participation runs through January 1, 2028, under a sunset provision in the enabling legislation. The legislature would need to extend or renew it for participation to continue beyond that date. For current compact status, confirm directly at portal.ct.gov or NCSBN.org.
License Renewal
Connecticut LPN licenses renew annually. The license expires in the licensee’s birth month, and the DPH sends renewal notifications approximately 60 days before expiration. Online renewal is required for nurses. There is no general continuing education hour requirement for LPN renewal in Connecticut.
The one training requirement tied to renewal is a one-time (and then recurring every 6 years) completion of 2 contact hours of training on suicide prevention and mental health screening, specifically covering PTSD, suicide risk, depression, and grief. This requirement applies to LPNs actively practicing in Connecticut. It was triggered for the first time by renewals after January 1, 2022.
Connecticut provides a 90-day grace period after license expiration during which you may continue practicing and renew through eLicense. On the 91st day, the license becomes void, and reinstatement is required. Contact the DPH directly for current reinstatement requirements if your license has lapsed beyond the grace period.
LPN Career and Salary in Connecticut
Connecticut LPNs work across a range of settings. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care are the largest employers. Home health agencies, physician offices, outpatient clinics, and school nursing are also common placements. Hospital positions exist but are less available to LPNs than to RNs. In Connecticut, as in most states, LPNs work under the supervision of an RN or physician and with patients who have stable, predictable care needs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Connecticut LPNs earned a median annual salary of $73,690 as of May 2025. The mean annual wage was $76,830. Both figures place Connecticut well above the national LPN/LVN median of $64,400 for the same period, reflecting the state’s higher wage scales and cost of living.
| Area | Employment | Median Annual Salary | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (statewide) | 8,540 | $73,690 | $76,830 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 590 | $75,610 | $79,340 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 1,860 | $75,180 | $77,020 |
| New Haven | 1,560 | $73,820 | $77,580 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 3,010 | $72,800 | $76,650 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | 1,030 | $71,850 | $75,240 |
Employment growth is steady. Projections Central estimates 4.2% growth for LPNs in Connecticut between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 740 job openings per year. That growth rate is modestly below the national LPN/LVN projection of 5.3%, but the volume of annual openings reflects consistent demand in long-term care and community health settings.
LPNs who want to advance can pursue RN licensure through an LPN-to-RN bridge program. Many programs in Connecticut and nationally are designed for working LPNs and allow credit for prior practical nursing training. Find information on LPN to RN bridge programs and what to expect in the transition.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Connecticut?
Most state-approved practical nursing programs in Connecticut take 12 to 18 months to complete, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. The DPH requires a minimum of 10 months and 1,500 theory hours. After graduation, the time to licensure depends on how quickly you complete the application process and schedule your NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE.
Does Connecticut accept out-of-state LPN licenses?
Yes. Connecticut accepts endorsement applications from nurses holding an active LPN license in another state. You apply through the eLicense portal and provide license verification through Nursys or a board letter from your home state. Background check requirements apply. If you already hold an NLC multistate license, it’s valid in Connecticut without applying for endorsement, as Connecticut is a full compact member as of October 2025.
Is Connecticut part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Connecticut fully implemented the NLC on October 1, 2025. The compact covers RNs and LPN/VNs. Connecticut nurses can apply for a multistate license valid in all 43 NLC member jurisdictions. Connecticut’s participation runs through January 1, 2028, under a sunset provision in state law.
How many CE hours do Connecticut LPNs need to renew?
Connecticut has no general CE hour requirement for LPN license renewal. The only training requirement tied to renewal is 2 contact hours on suicide prevention and mental health screening (PTSD, suicide risk, depression, and grief), required during the first renewal period after January 1, 2022, and every 6 years thereafter. Licenses are renewed annually through the eLicense portal at elicense.ct.gov. The renewal date is tied to the licensee’s birth month.
What’s the difference between an LPN and an RN in Connecticut?
Scope of practice is the core distinction. LPNs work under the supervision of an RN or physician and provide care for patients with stable conditions. RNs carry out independent assessments, develop and manage care plans, and hold primary accountability for patient outcomes. The licensing exams reflect that difference: the NCLEX-PN tests practical nursing competency at an entry level, while the NCLEX-RN tests clinical judgment at a higher level of independent practice. See a full breakdown of how LPN and RN scopes of practice differ across settings and credential requirements.
Key Takeaways
- State-approved program required — The Connecticut DPH must approve the practical nursing program you graduate from. Graduating from an unapproved program disqualifies you for licensure.
- NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam — Administered by Pearson VUE, the exam uses computer adaptive testing. Board approval of your application is required before you receive your Authorization to Test.
- Connecticut joined the NLC in October 2025 — LPN/VN licenses issued by Connecticut are recognized in all 43 NLC member jurisdictions. Compact participation runs through January 1, 2028.
- Renewal is annual with minimal CE — Connecticut LPN licenses renew yearly in the licensee’s birth month. There’s no general CE hour requirement — only a one-time (and then every 6 years) 2-hour training on suicide prevention and mental health screening.
- Median annual salary is $73,690 — Connecticut LPNs earn well above the national median of $64,400, according to BLS data from May 2025.
Find approved LPN programs in Connecticut and compare options based on location, schedule, and program length.
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.