LPN Requirements in Idaho 2026
To become a licensed practical nurse in Idaho, complete a Board-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. The Idaho Board of Nursing, operating under the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, issues LPN licenses. Idaho is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so the license is valid in other NLC member states if Idaho is your primary state of residence.
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Idaho LPNs work across a wide range of settings: medical offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and correctional facilities. The LPN role is defined as a dependent practice: LPNs carry out nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist. The specific tasks they take on depend on the stability of the patient’s condition and the predictability of the outcome.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, application steps, renewal, and salary data for Idaho LPNs.
- LPN scope of practice in Idaho
- Education requirements
- How to get your Idaho LPN license
- License renewal
- Endorsement to Idaho
- Salary and job outlook
What LPNs Do in Idaho
The Idaho Board of Nursing defines LPN practice as a dependent role. LPNs contribute to patient assessments by collecting and recording objective and subjective data, participating in the development and modification of care plans, and carrying out nursing interventions under supervision. The degree of supervision required depends on three factors set out in Board policy: the stability of the patient’s environment, the patient’s clinical state, and the predictability of the outcome.
Idaho LPNs work in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and correctional facilities. LPNs sometimes serve as charge nurses, particularly in long-term care settings where they oversee daily unit operations. The charge nurse role is an administrative function within the existing scope of practice, not an expansion of clinical authority.
The distinction from registered nursing comes down to scope and accountability. RNs carry primary responsibility for the nursing care plan and make more independent clinical decisions. LPNs work within a structure defined by that plan. The NCLEX-PN, the licensing exam LPNs must pass, tests foundational clinical knowledge and supervised care, not the higher-order clinical judgment required on the NCLEX-RN. See the RN licensing requirements in Idaho for a full breakdown of the registered nurse path.
LPN Education in Idaho
Idaho LPN programs are typically offered as diploma or certificate programs through community colleges and technical schools. Most run 12 to 18 months and combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training. The Idaho Board of Nursing must approve any program whose graduates want to sit for the NCLEX-PN and apply for Idaho licensure. Board-approved programs in the state include those at Idaho State University (Pocatello), the College of Eastern Idaho (Idaho Falls), the College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls), North Idaho College (Coeur d’Alene), and Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston). A full listing is available on the LPN programs in Idaho page.
Core curriculum covers the content tested on the NCLEX-PN: anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, mental health, and geriatric care. Clinical rotations are required. The Board does not allow fully online LPN program completion. Some programs require prerequisite coursework that can add a semester before the core curriculum begins. Applicants who have completed equivalent coursework through a registered nursing program may be eligible to apply for LPN licensure without repeating a full LPN program. That determination is made by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
How to Get Your Idaho LPN License
After completing a Board-approved program, there are several steps to obtain initial licensure through the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Submit the application. Applications are processed through the DOPL licensing portal. You’ll need to provide documentation of program completion and pay the applicable fee.
Complete the fingerprint background check. Idaho requires a full set of fingerprints for a criminal background check. Law enforcement agencies and fingerprinting stations may submit fingerprints using LiveScan. You can also request a standard fingerprint card from the Board and mail it to the Board’s office. If you submitted fingerprints within the previous six months, you may be exempt from resubmitting.
Pass the NCLEX-PN. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE. After your application is approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and can schedule at a Pearson VUE test center. The Idaho Board provides a list of NCLEX review resources in the application.
Receive your license. Final review takes up to 5 business days after all required documents are received. While awaiting results, you can apply for a conditional temporary license (sometimes called a graduate license) that allows supervised practice under a licensed RN. This license is valid for 90 days, cannot be extended, and is valid only in Idaho. Once you pass the NCLEX-PN and your permanent license is issued, Idaho’s compact membership means that your license is recognized in other NLC member states as long as Idaho remains your primary state of residence.
License Renewal in Idaho
Idaho LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. As of April 2026, DOPL transitioned from a fixed August 31 expiration date to birthday-based renewal: licenses now expire on the licensee’s birthday, two years out. The renewal fee is $70. Licenses renewed after the expiration date incur a late fee. Contact the Board for the current amount. A lapsed license means you can’t legally practice nursing in Idaho until it’s reinstated, and practicing on a lapsed license carries disciplinary consequences and graduated fines.
Idaho requires LPNs to meet Continued Competence Requirements each renewal cycle. Rather than a fixed number of continuing education hours, the Board requires completion of activities from an accepted list. These can include clinical practice, nursing-related education, research, precepting, peer review, or service on a nursing-related board, committee, or organization. Documentation isn’t submitted at renewal, but you must maintain it and be able to produce it within 30 days if selected for an audit. New graduates are exempt from Continued Competence Requirements during their first renewal cycle. Verify the current minimum activity count with the Idaho Board of Nursing at the time of renewal.
Endorsement to Idaho
LPNs who hold a current, active license in another state can apply for Idaho licensure by endorsement. The process requires a completed application, fingerprints for a criminal background check, and verification of the out-of-state license. If the original state participates in Nursys, the Board uses that system for electronic license verification. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to contact that state’s board directly to have a Verification of Licensure form sent to the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Endorsement applicants must also provide a satisfactory nursing employment reference from the three-year period immediately preceding the application. The reference must be submitted directly to the Idaho Board by the employer, not by the applicant. An Idaho State Police Privacy Statement must also be signed and submitted.
Because Idaho is a compact state, nurses who are residents of another NLC member state and hold a multistate license there don’t need a separate Idaho license to practice in Idaho. The Board returns applications from nurses whose primary residence is in another compact state.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Idaho
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Idaho LPNs earned a median annual salary of $63,800 as of May 2025, just below the national LPN median of $64,400. Wages vary across the state’s metro areas. Boise City LPNs earned a median of $66,950, Coeur d’Alene came in at $66,140, and Idaho Falls reported $60,270.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho (statewide) | $63,800 | $63,860 |
| Boise City, ID | $66,950 | $68,170 |
| Coeur d’Alene, ID | $66,140 | $68,000 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,270 | $57,750 |
On the employment side, Projections Central estimates 19.3% growth for LPN positions in Idaho between 2022 and 2032, significantly faster than the 5.3% projected nationally over the same period. Idaho is expected to average 290 LPN job openings per year during that window. BLS employment estimates put the current Idaho LPN workforce at approximately 1,880.
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 Idaho?
Most Board-approved LPN programs in Idaho take 12 to 18 months to complete. Some programs require prerequisite coursework that extends that timeline. After finishing the program, you’ll need additional time to apply, complete the background check, and pass the NCLEX-PN before practicing independently.
Is Idaho a compact state for LPN licenses?
Yes. Idaho is a Nurse Licensure Compact member. LPNs who are Idaho residents and hold an Idaho license can practice in other NLC states without a separate license. If you already hold a multistate license as a resident of another compact state, you don’t need an Idaho license to work in Idaho.
What are the continuing education requirements for Idaho LPN renewal?
Idaho doesn’t require a fixed number of CE hours. LPNs must complete activities from the Board’s accepted continuing competence list each renewal cycle. Options include clinical practice, nursing education, research, precepting, peer review, or service on a nursing-related board or committee. New graduates are exempt during their first renewal cycle. As of April 2026, Idaho transitioned to birthday-based biennial renewal. Licenses now expire on the licensee’s birthday, two years out. The renewal fee is $70.
Can I work as an LPN in Idaho while waiting for my NCLEX results?
You can apply for a conditional temporary license (graduate license) that allows supervised practice under a licensed RN while you wait. This license is valid for 90 days, cannot be extended, and is valid only in Idaho. You must pass the NCLEX-PN and receive your permanent license before practicing on an unrestricted basis.
How do I apply for an Idaho LPN license by endorsement?
Submit a completed application through the DOPL portal, along with fingerprints for a background check and verification of your current license via Nursys (or directly from your state board if they don’t participate in Nursys). You’ll also need an employment reference from the past three years sent directly to the Idaho Board by your employer.
Key Takeaways
- Board-approved program required — Only graduates of Idaho Board of Nursing-approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and apply for Idaho licensure.
- NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam — Administered by Pearson VUE, it must be passed before a permanent Idaho LPN license is issued.
- Idaho is a compact state — An Idaho LPN license is valid in other NLC member states as long as Idaho remains your primary state of residence.
- Renewal is biennial — Licenses renew every two years on the licensee’s birthday. The renewal fee is $70. Idaho transitioned to birthday-based renewal in April 2026.
- Job growth outpaces the national rate — Projections Central estimates 19.3% LPN employment growth in Idaho between 2022 and 2032, compared to 5.3% nationally.
Find approved LPN programs in Idaho, compare application requirements, and get school information for your area.
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.