How to Become an LPN in Indiana 2026
To become an LPN in Indiana, you must complete a practical nursing program approved by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit a licensure application to the Indiana State Board of Nursing. Most approved programs take 12 to 18 months. Indiana is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, and LPNs can request a multistate license that is valid in other compact states.
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Indiana LPNs are licensed through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), which houses the State Board of Nursing. The process has three core steps: finish an approved program, apply for licensure, and pass the NCLEX-PN. Each step has specific requirements set by the PLA, and the Board reviews all applications before issuing a license.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, the application process, exam details, and renewal information.
- Complete an approved LPN program
- Apply for an Indiana LPN license
- Pass the NCLEX-PN
- Apply for an Indiana license by endorsement
- Renew your Indiana LPN license
- Where Indiana LPNs work
- Indiana LPN salary and job outlook
Complete an Approved Practical Nursing Program
The first requirement is graduating from a practical nursing program approved by the Indiana PLA. The PLA maintains a list of approved Indiana LPN programs on its website. Graduating from a program that isn’t on that list disqualifies you from sitting for the NCLEX-PN in Indiana.
Indiana LPN programs are typically offered as certificate or diploma programs and take 12 to 18 months to complete. Coursework covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal-newborn care, with clinical hours integrated throughout. Admission requirements vary by program but commonly include a high school diploma or GED, basic science prerequisites, and a background check.
Ivy Tech Community College operates locations across the state and offers one of the most widely attended practical nursing programs in Indiana. Other options include hospital-based programs and programs through vocational schools and technical colleges.
Apply for an Indiana LPN License
After completing your program, you submit a licensure application to the Indiana PLA. The application requires proof of program completion (official transcripts from your nursing school), a criminal background check, and the application fee. The PLA sets the fee at $50 for initial licensure by examination.
The background check is part of the application, not a separate process you initiate on your own. Criminal history is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis. A prior conviction doesn’t automatically disqualify you from licensure, but the Board considers the nature and recency of the offense.
Once the PLA processes your application and verifies your program completion, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE, the vendor that administers the NCLEX-PN. You can’t schedule the exam until you have your ATT.
Pass the NCLEX-PN
The NCLEX-PN is a computer-adaptive exam developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It tests clinical judgment and nursing knowledge at the entry level for practical nurses. The exam doesn’t have a fixed number of questions. It adapts based on your responses and ends when it has enough data to determine whether you’ve met the passing standard.
You schedule your exam with Pearson VUE after receiving your ATT. Testing centers are located across Indiana. Your ATT is valid for a set window after it’s issued. If you don’t test within that window, you’ll need to reapply.
After passing the NCLEX-PN, the PLA issues your Indiana LPN license. Your license number and status are publicly searchable through the PLA’s online license verification system.
Apply for an Indiana License by Endorsement
If you’re already licensed as an LPN in another state, you can apply for an Indiana license by endorsement rather than sitting for the NCLEX-PN again. You’ll need to show that your original license was obtained through the NCLEX-PN and that your license is active and in good standing in the issuing state.
Indiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a multistate license from another compact state, you may be able to practice in Indiana without applying for a separate Indiana license. Check with the PLA if your license type is multistate or single-state, since the rules differ.
Renewing Your Indiana LPN License
Indiana LPN licenses expire on October 31 of each even-numbered year. The PLA sends renewal notices before the expiration date, but you’re responsible for renewing on time regardless of whether you receive a notice.
Indiana currently doesn’t require continuing education hours for LPN license renewal. Requirements can change through Board rulemaking, so confirm current renewal requirements on the PLA website before your renewal cycle begins.
Where Indiana LPNs Work
Indiana LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. State law defines the LPN scope of practice broadly, with nurses expected to practice within the limits of their training and within generally recognized standards of care.
Long-term care is the largest employment setting for LPNs in Indiana, consistent with national patterns. Nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities rely heavily on LPN staff for medication administration, wound care, catheter care, and oversight of certified nursing aides in Indiana.
Other common settings include home health agencies, physician offices, private duty nursing, and community health centers. A smaller segment of Indiana LPNs work in hospital settings, typically in inpatient roles rather than emergency or critical care.
LPNs who want to expand their scope can enroll in LPN to RN bridge programs that apply prior coursework toward RN credentials.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Indiana LPN Salary and Job Outlook
According to BLS state data, Indiana LPNs earned a median annual wage of $65,720 as of May 2025. The mean annual wage was $65,840. Indiana employed approximately 14,480 LPNs across all settings.
| Metric | Indiana LPN (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage | $65,720 |
| Mean Annual Wage | $65,840 |
| Total Employment | 14,480 |
Indiana’s projected LPN employment growth for the 2022 to 2032 decade is 7.5%, according to Projections Central. The state is projected to add approximately 910 LPN positions over that period, with an average of 1,040 job openings per year from both new positions and turnover.
Long-term care and home health are driving most of that demand, consistent with Indiana’s aging population and the ongoing shift toward community-based care settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Indiana?
Most Indiana LPN programs take 12 to 18 months to complete. After graduation, you apply for licensure and schedule the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. From program start to active license, the full process typically takes 13 to 20 months, depending on application processing time and exam scheduling.
Does Indiana require continuing education for LPN license renewal?
Indiana currently doesn’t require continuing education hours for LPN license renewal. Licenses expire on October 31 of each even-numbered year. Requirements can change through Board rulemaking, so check the Indiana PLA website before your renewal period.
Can I use my Indiana LPN license in other states?
Indiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact member. If you applied for and received a multistate license, you can practice in other compact states without a separate license. If you hold a single-state Indiana license, you’ll need to apply by endorsement in any state where you want to practice.
What if I have a criminal record?
The Indiana State Board of Nursing reviews criminal history on a case-by-case basis. A prior conviction doesn’t automatically bar you from licensure. The Board considers the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and evidence of rehabilitation. The Indiana PLA offers a Licensure Pre-Approval process that lets prospective applicants get binding guidance on whether their criminal history would affect eligibility before submitting a full application.
Who oversees LPN licensing in Indiana?
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) administers nursing licensure in the state. The Indiana State Board of Nursing, which operates under the PLA, sets the requirements for program approval, initial licensure, and renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Three steps to licensure — Complete a PLA-approved practical nursing program, apply to the Indiana PLA with transcripts and a background check, then pass the NCLEX-PN.
- Programs take 12 to 18 months — Certificate and diploma programs are the most common pathway. The program must appear on the PLA’s approved list, or you won’t qualify for the NCLEX-PN.
- ATT required before testing — You can’t schedule the NCLEX-PN until the PLA processes your application and Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test.
- Indiana is a Compact state — A multistate LPN license is valid in other Nurse Licensure Compact states without a separate endorsement application.
- Median wage: $65,720 (May 2025) — Indiana projects 7.5% LPN employment growth through 2032, with approximately 1,040 job openings per year.
Find approved LPN programs in Indiana and compare options by location, program length, and delivery format.
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.