Georgia LPN License Requirements 2026
Getting an LPN license in Georgia requires completing a state-approved practical nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and applying through the Georgia Board of Nursing. Licenses renew every two years, with 20 continuing education hours required each cycle. Georgia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a Georgia LPN license is valid in other compact states.
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The Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) issues LPN licenses and sets the eligibility rules for both new graduates and nurses licensed in other states. The process is largely standardized: finish a Georgia Board of Nursing-approved LPN program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application with the required documents and fee. What varies is your specific pathway, whether you’re a new graduate, a nurse seeking endorsement from another state, or someone returning to practice after a lapse.
Use the links below to jump to application requirements, the NCLEX-PN, renewal, endorsement, and salary information for Georgia LPNs.
- Georgia LPN license requirements
- The NCLEX-PN exam
- License renewal and continuing education
- Endorsement and the Nurse Licensure Compact
- LPN scope of practice in Georgia
- LPN career outlook and salary in Georgia
Georgia LPN License Requirements
To qualify for LPN licensure by examination in Georgia, applicants must meet the following requirements set by the Georgia Board of Nursing:
- Hold a U.S. Social Security Number
- Submit an affidavit of citizenship with verifiable citizenship or qualified alien documents
- Graduate from a Georgia Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program
- Pass the NCLEX-PN
- Submit a completed application with a non-refundable $40 fee
Applications are typically reviewed within 15 business days once all required documents are received. Georgia also requires a background check as part of the application process. Any history of criminal convictions, disciplinary action, or substance abuse treatment may be reviewed by the Board before licensure is granted.
The NCLEX-PN Exam
The NCLEX-PN is a computerized adaptive test administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Every practical nursing graduate must pass it before receiving a Georgia LPN license. The exam tests clinical judgment, safety, and the fundamentals of practical nursing practice.
After your Georgia Board of Nursing application is approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. You can then schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. The average ATT validity window is 90 days, and the dates can’t be extended, so schedule promptly. If you don’t pass on the first attempt, you can retake the exam after a minimum 45-day waiting period. Each attempt requires the standard $200 Pearson VUE registration fee.
The NCLEX-PN uses a variable-length format, ending between 85 and 150 questions, depending on when the algorithm reaches 95% confidence in the pass or fail determination. Unofficial results are available through the NCSBN’s Quick Results Service approximately 48 hours after your exam date.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Georgia LPN licenses expire on March 31 on a biennial cycle. The specific expiration year on your license card determines when your next renewal is due. Renewal is completed online through the Georgia Online Licensing System. The GBON sends reminder notices approximately 60 days before expiration, but tracking the deadline and completing renewal on time is the licensee’s responsibility.
To renew, LPNs must complete one of the following continued competency requirements during each two-year cycle:
- Complete 20 contact hours of continuing education from an approved provider
- Graduate from an accredited academic program of study in registered nursing during the renewal period
CE hours must be reported through CE Broker. Acceptable CE formats include classroom instruction, online courses, independent study, correspondence courses, and professional journals. Keep documentation for at least four years from the renewal date in case of an audit.
If you miss the March 31 deadline, a late renewal period follows with an increased fee of $75. LPNs who let their license lapse entirely must follow the board’s reinstatement process before returning to practice.
Endorsement and the Nurse Licensure Compact
LPNs licensed in another state can apply for a Georgia LPN license by endorsement. The application fee is $75. Georgia requires verification of your current out-of-state license through Nursys, the national nurse licensure verification system. If your home state participates in Nursys, complete the verification process through that platform and designate Georgia as the recipient. If your state doesn’t participate in Nursys, request verification directly from that state’s board.
Endorsement applicants who graduated from a nursing program more than four years ago must also demonstrate one of the following: at least 500 hours of licensed practical nurse practice within the four years preceding the application, or completion of a board-approved re-entry program. New graduates within four years of program completion are not subject to this requirement.
Georgia is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). LPNs who hold an active Georgia license and whose primary state of residence is Georgia may be eligible for a multistate license, which allows practice in other compact member states without obtaining separate licenses. To qualify, you must meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements for a Multistate License. Contact the GBON or visit the NCSBN website to confirm current compact eligibility and requirements.
LPN Scope of Practice in Georgia
Georgia LPNs provide nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse, physician, dentist, podiatrist, or other licensed healthcare provider authorized to supervise. Georgia law defines practical nursing as the provision of care that includes, but is not limited to, participating in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care, and administering treatments and medications. Specific tasks are evaluated using the Georgia Board of Nursing’s Scope of Practice Decision-Making Model rather than a fixed list.
In practice, LPN duties commonly include taking vital signs, administering medications, performing wound care, catheter care, and documenting patient status. The scope of any specific task depends on the individual nurse’s training, the setting, and the supervising provider’s orders.
LPNs in Georgia work across a wide range of settings. Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities are the largest employers, where LPNs frequently take on charge-level responsibilities and oversee the work of nursing assistants. Home health, assisted living, physician offices, urgent care clinics, and outpatient treatment centers are also common. LPNs who want to move into inpatient hospital settings or take on broader clinical responsibilities often pursue LPN-to-RN bridge programs in Georgia through the state’s technical college system.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
LPN Career Outlook and Salary in Georgia
Georgia LPN employment is projected to grow 12% between 2022 and 2032, adding roughly 2,780 positions with an average of 2,130 job openings per year, according to Projections Central data based on Georgia Department of Labor figures.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and vocational nurses in Georgia earned a median annual salary of $62,030 as of May 2025. The 75th percentile wage was $70,690, and the 90th percentile reached $76,690.
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Median (50th) | $62,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,690 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Georgia LPN license?
Apply through the Georgia Board of Nursing’s online licensing portal. You’ll need to submit proof of graduation from an approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and pay a non-refundable $40 application fee. The GBON typically reviews complete applications within 15 business days.
How often do I need to renew my Georgia LPN license?
Georgia LPN licenses renew every two years, expiring on March 31. The specific expiration year is printed on your license card. Renewal requires 20 contact hours of continuing education or graduation from an accredited program of study in registered nursing during the renewal period. CE hours must be reported through CE Broker.
Is Georgia part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Georgia is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). LPNs with Georgia as their primary state of residence may apply for a multistate license, which allows practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses.
Can I get a Georgia LPN license if I’m licensed in another state?
Yes, through licensure by endorsement. The application fee is $75. Georgia requires license verification through Nursys or directly from your home state board if that state doesn’t participate in Nursys. You must hold a current, active license in your home state to be eligible.
What does an LPN do in Georgia?
Georgia LPNs provide direct patient care under RN or physician supervision. Duties include medication administration, wound care, catheter care, vital signs, and patient documentation. LPNs work in nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, clinics, and outpatient settings.
Key Takeaways
- GBON issues all LPN licenses — The Georgia Board of Nursing sets eligibility rules, processes applications, and oversees renewal and enforcement.
- NCLEX-PN is required for initial licensure — The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and must be passed before you can practice as an LPN in Georgia.
- Licenses renew biennially on March 31 — LPNs must complete 20 CE hours each cycle and report completion through CE Broker. Check your license card for the specific expiration year.
- Georgia is an eNLC compact state — Eligible LPNs can obtain a multistate license valid in other compact member states.
- Median LPN salary is $62,030 in Georgia — BLS May 2025 data, with the 90th percentile reaching $76,690.
Use the tool below to find Georgia Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing programs, application links, and NCLEX-PN preparation resources.
Salary data for licensed practical and vocational nurses in Georgia is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025. Job growth projections are from Projections Central, 2022–2032. BLS figures reflect statewide estimates across all industries. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.