LPN License Requirements in Utah 2026
Utah licenses practical nurses through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). To qualify, applicants must complete a DOPL-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. Utah is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a Utah LPN license is recognized in all compact member states.
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Utah delegates LPN licensing authority to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, which operates under the Utah Department of Commerce. The Board of Nursing sets eligibility standards and approves prelicensure programs. DOPL processes applications for initial licensure, endorsement, and renewal through its online licensing portal.
Use the links below to jump to Utah LPN licensing requirements, the application process, renewal rules, and career outlook data.
- Utah LPN licensing overview
- LPN education requirements
- How to apply for initial licensure
- Licensure by endorsement
- Nurse Licensure Compact
- Renewing your Utah LPN license
- LPN salary and career outlook
Utah LPN Licensing Overview
The Utah Board of Nursing and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) share responsibility for practical nurse licensure. The Board approves prelicensure programs and reviews applications that involve disciplinary history or qualifying circumstances. DOPL handles day-to-day application processing and issues the license. For a broader overview of all license types in the state, see Utah nursing licensure requirements.
All applications go through DOPL’s online licensing portal. Paper applications are accepted but take longer to process. DOPL no longer issues paper licenses. Certificates are delivered by email. Applicants should confirm their email address is current at every stage of the licensing process.
LPN Education Requirements in Utah
Utah requires practical nursing applicants to complete a Board-approved LPN program before sitting for the NCLEX-PN. Applicants educated in Utah must have graduated from a DOPL Board-approved program. Applicants educated outside Utah must have completed a program that either meets Utah’s minimum standards for in-state programs or holds accreditation from the National League for Nursing (NLN). See the full list of approved practical nursing programs in Utah.
Most Utah LPN programs run 10 to 12 months and result in a diploma or certificate. Coursework covers nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, anatomy, and clinical rotations in supervised care settings.
How to Apply for Initial Licensure in Utah
Getting an initial Utah LPN license is a two-step process: first, authorization to test (ATT) for the NCLEX-PN, then the full license application after passing.
Step 1: Authorization to Take the NCLEX-PN
After graduating, submit a Request for Authorization to Test to DOPL through the online licensing portal or by paper form. Along with the request, you’ll need to submit official transcripts sent directly by the registrar to DOPL (transcripts must include the school seal, graduation date, and degree conferred) and fingerprints for criminal background checks through both the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the FBI.
Once DOPL approves the ATT, register with Pearson VUE and pay the NCLEX-PN testing fee to schedule your exam. Applicants who fail must wait 45 days before retesting and pay the exam fee again. DOPL notifies applicants of results within three to five business days. Those who pass receive their license number by email within 24 hours of the license becoming active.
Step 2: Initial License Application
After passing the NCLEX-PN, submit a full application for initial licensure through DOPL’s online portal with the application fee. Processing typically takes 21 days for a complete application. DOPL will follow up directly if additional items are needed. Frequent phone calls delay processing rather than speed it up.
Fingerprinting
DOPL discontinued its in-house fingerprinting service. In-state applicants complete fingerprinting through authorized vendors. After submitting your application, you’ll receive a fingerprint authorization form and a list of approved vendors by email within 2–3 business days. Bring the authorization form and a valid government-issued photo ID to your vendor appointment.
Out-of-state applicants must use a third-party vendor, such as a local police station or private fingerprinting service, that can print on blue federal FD-258 cards. Both cards must include complete demographic information and be signed by both the applicant and the person who took the prints. Prints must be clean and rolled completely. Incomplete or low-quality cards will be rejected and can delay licensure. Mail completed cards to: Division of Professional Licensing, P.O. Box 146741, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741.
Fees
DOPL updates its fee schedule annually. The figures below reflect fees in effect at the time of this writing. Always verify the current fee schedule on the DOPL website before submitting an application.
| Fee | Amount | Payable To |
|---|---|---|
| Application processing fee | $60 | DOPL |
| BCI fingerprint check | $20 | DOPL |
| FBI fingerprint check | $12 | DOPL |
| NCLEX-PN exam fee (per attempt) | $200 | Pearson VUE |
When applying for licensure by exam or endorsement, the total due to DOPL at submission is $92 (application, BCI, and FBI fees combined). The NCLEX-PN fee is separate and paid directly to Pearson VUE. DOPL does not accept cash. Pay by credit card online or by check or money order for paper applications. Fees change annually, so verify the current schedule on the DOPL nursing licensing page before applying.
Temporary Graduate Nurse License
Graduates who’ve met all requirements except the NCLEX-PN can apply for a temporary Graduate Nurse license. You must have graduated from an approved program within the past three months and be registered with Pearson VUE. The temporary license is valid for up to one year or 60 days after notification of a failed NCLEX, whichever comes first. It’s valid only in Utah and is not eligible for compact multistate use.
Licensure by Endorsement
Nurses currently licensed as an LPN in another state or U.S. territory can apply for a Utah license by endorsement if their license is in good standing. Requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of a nursing program meeting Utah’s standards, a passing NCLEX-PN score, and fingerprints for BCI and FBI background checks. The total fee due to DOPL is $92.
License verification goes through Nursys for participating states. If the originating state doesn’t participate in Nursys, the nurse must request that the state board send official verification directly to DOPL. Applications go through DOPL’s online licensing portal or by paper form mailed to DOPL at P.O. Box 146741, Salt Lake City, UT 84114.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Utah joined the original Nurse Licensure Compact in 2000 and transitioned to the Enhanced NLC (eNLC) in January 2018. Under the eNLC, LPNs whose primary state of residence is Utah receive a multistate license valid in all compact member states. This covers clinical practice, so a Utah LPN can work in any compact state without applying for an additional license.
If you move to Utah from another compact state, you must apply for a new Utah license within 30 days of establishing Utah as your primary state of residence. Your previous compact license is not valid for practice in Utah once Utah becomes your home state.
LPN applicants who live in another eNLC state at the time of application are not eligible for an ATT from Utah. They must apply through their state of residence instead.
Renewing Your Utah LPN License
Utah LPN licenses expire January 31 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the individual’s license was issued. DOPL mails a renewal notice at least 60 days before the expiration date. Renewal is completed through DOPL’s online portal or by paper form mailed to DOPL.
During each two-year renewal period, LPNs must satisfy one of three continuing competency options:
- At least 400 hours of licensed practice
- At least 200 hours of licensed practice and 15 hours of approved continuing education
- 30 hours of approved continuing education
Utah LPNs must also complete at least one suicide prevention training each renewal cycle. DOPL accepts the following courses: Suicide Safety Planning with Patients, Talking to Patients About Suicide, and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means. The Board doesn’t require advance CE reporting, but nurses certify compliance when submitting the renewal application.
CE credits must come from providers accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). DOPL does not approve individual CE providers.
Licenses expired for more than two years are not eligible for renewal. In that case, the nurse must submit a full new application and meet current licensure requirements. Renewal fees are updated annually by DOPL. Verify the current amount on the DOPL website before submitting.
LPN Salary and Career Outlook in Utah
Utah LPNs earned a median annual wage of $63,230 as of May 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The national median for LPNs/LVNs during the same period was $64,400. Utah’s figure is slightly below the national median, though regional market conditions and cost of living affect what individual LPNs earn in practice.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | $63,230 | 1,680 |
| National | $64,400 | 648,410 |
Projections Central estimates 24.6% employment growth for LPNs in Utah between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 180 job openings per year. That’s well above the national LPN projection of 5.3% over the same period. Utah’s faster-than-average population growth and ongoing expansion of home health and long-term care settings are the main drivers.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Utah require a background check for LPN licensure?
Yes. DOPL requires fingerprints for BCI and FBI criminal background checks from all applicants. In-state applicants complete fingerprinting through an authorized vendor. After submitting an application, they receive an authorization form and vendor list by email within 2–3 business days. Out-of-state applicants submit two completed FD-258 fingerprint cards by mail to DOPL.
How long does it take to get a Utah LPN license?
DOPL typically processes a complete application within 21 days. Applicants receive their license by email within 24 hours of the license becoming active. The license number is also visible on DOPL’s public website the day after activation.
Is Utah in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Utah participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). LPNs who live in Utah and meet the uniform licensure requirements receive a multistate license valid in all compact member states.
What continuing education does Utah require to renew an LPN license?
Utah uses a continuing competency model. For each two-year renewal period, LPNs must complete one of three options: 400 hours of licensed practice, 200 practice hours plus 15 CE hours, or 30 CE hours. LPNs must also complete one approved suicide prevention training per renewal cycle.
Can I transfer my LPN license to Utah from another state?
Yes, through endorsement. You’ll need a license in good standing in the originating state and a criminal background check. Apply through DOPL’s online licensing portal or by paper application. License verification goes through Nursys for participating states.
- DOPL issues Utah LPN licenses — Apply through DOPL’s online licensing portal after completing an approved practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE.
- Initial licensure is a two-step process — First obtain authorization to test for the NCLEX-PN, then apply for the full license after passing.
- Utah is a compact state — A Utah LPN multistate license is valid in all eNLC member states without a separate application.
- Renewal is biennial — Licenses expire January 31 of even-numbered years and require completing a continuing competency option plus one suicide prevention training each cycle.
- Job growth outpaces the national rate — Projections Central estimates 24.6% LPN employment growth in Utah from 2022 to 2032, compared to 5.3% nationally.
Find approved LPN programs in Utah, application links, and state licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
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.