LPN Requirements in Virginia 2026
To become an LPN in Virginia, complete a Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE, and apply to the Virginia Board of Nursing. Programs typically run 12 to 18 months and must include at least 400 supervised clinical hours. Virginia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Sponsored School(s)
Virginia licenses practical nurses through its Department of Health Professions, with the Board of Nursing setting the education, examination, and application standards. Either way, the steps are the same: complete an approved training program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application through the state’s online portal.
Use the links below to jump to Virginia LPN program requirements, the NCLEX-PN, application steps, endorsement, renewal, and salary data.
- LPN program requirements in Virginia
- NCLEX-PN: registering and sitting for the exam
- Applying for your Virginia LPN license
- Endorsement for out-of-state LPNs
- Renewing your Virginia LPN license
- Virginia LPN salary and career outlook
LPN Program Requirements in Virginia
Practical nursing programs in Virginia must be approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing before their graduates can sit for the NCLEX-PN. Most programs run 12 to 18 months full-time, combining classroom instruction with supervised clinical rotations. Part-time and evening formats are available at select schools and may extend the timeline to 18 to 24 months.
The Board requires programs to include at least 400 hours of supervised direct patient contact. Programs falling short of that threshold are flagged during the application review. Candidates who completed a program with fewer than 400 clinical hours should contact the Board of Nursing directly before applying. A list of Board-approved programs is available on the Virginia Board of Nursing website. You can also browse LPN programs in Virginia to compare options.
Practical nursing programs cannot be completed entirely online. The hands-on clinical component is non-negotiable and must take place in approved healthcare settings. Some programs offer hybrid formats for the classroom portion, but students complete rotations in person regardless of how coursework is delivered.
Applicants must have completed at least two years of high school or hold an equivalent credential. Some nurses enter healthcare first as certified nursing assistants in Virginia before pursuing LPN licensure. A clean disciplinary record is required for licensure. The Board reviews criminal history as part of the background check process, and prior convictions do not automatically disqualify an applicant but are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
NCLEX-PN: Registering and Sitting for the Exam
The NCLEX-PN is the national licensing examination for practical nurses, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It tests entry-level competency: clinical judgment, patient care decisions, and safe practice. Memorization of nursing facts is not the focus.
Candidates register with Pearson VUE immediately after submitting the Virginia Board of Nursing application. The Board issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) once the application is approved. Candidates then schedule their exam date at a Pearson VUE testing center. Do not delay Pearson VUE registration. Waiting until after the ATT arrives extends the timeline unnecessarily.
The ATT is tied to the application. If your Virginia licensure application expires before you test, you’ll need to reapply and pay the application fee before receiving a new ATT. Applications are valid for 12 months from the date received.
Applying for Your Virginia LPN License
Virginia processes LPN applications online through the Department of Health Professions portal. The Board accepts applications from new graduates (licensure by examination) and from nurses already licensed in another state (licensure by endorsement). Both paths go through the same portal. The supporting documents differ.
The standard application for licensure by examination requires:
- Completed online application and payment of the application fee (verify current fee on the Virginia Board of Nursing website before applying)
- Official transcripts from your approved practical nursing program
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through Fieldprint Va — online applicants receive a Fieldprint Code with their application confirmation. Mail applicants contact the Board’s Criminal Background Check unit
- Pearson VUE registration for the NCLEX-PN
Fingerprinting is done electronically via LiveScan at Fieldprint locations. Applicants can complete fingerprinting in-state or out-of-state. Virginia Board of Nursing receives in-state results within 24 to 48 hours. Out-of-state results take additional time due to manual processing.
After submitting, allow at least 10 business days before following up on application status. You can track your application through the DHP license portal. Incomplete applications are held for up to 12 months. After that, they are discarded, and the fee is forfeited.
Endorsement for Out-of-State LPNs
LPNs licensed in another state can apply for Virginia licensure by endorsement without retaking the NCLEX-PN, provided they hold an active, unencumbered license and meet Virginia’s program requirements. The endorsement application is submitted through the same DHP portal as exam applications.
Virginia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). LPNs who hold a compact multistate license and have Virginia as their primary state of residence are covered. Nurses living in another compact state who want to practice in Virginia should check whether their compact license covers Virginia or whether a separate endorsement application is required based on their state of residence.
The endorsement process includes:
- Completed endorsement application and fee
- License verification submitted directly to the Virginia Board of Nursing via Nursys, or by contacting the original state board if it doesn’t participate in Nursys
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through Fieldprint Va
- Clinical Hours Form completed by a nursing employer — required only if your original program included fewer than 400 clinical hours. In that case, you must show evidence of 960 hours of clinical practice in an active nursing role
- Board-approved credential evaluation — required for applicants who completed nursing education outside the U.S. or Canada and were subsequently licensed by examination in another U.S. state. The Board accepts evaluations from CGFNS, Josef Silny & Associates, ICHP Visa Screen, and VISA4Nurses, among other approved agencies. See the Virginia Board of Nursing International Applicant Resources for the current list
Allow 10 business days from the date your completed application is received before following up with the Board.
Renewing Your Virginia LPN License
Virginia LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. The Board sends renewal notices approximately 60 days before expiration and includes a unique PIN required to complete the online renewal. Renewal is available through the DHP portal.
To renew, LPNs must satisfy at least one of the continued competency requirements set out in 18VAC90-19-160. The two most commonly used options are: 30 contact hours of workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses relevant to nursing practice, or 15 contact hours of that same CE combined with 640 hours of active nursing practice during the renewal period. Other qualifying paths include national specialty certification, post-licensure academic credit, Board-approved refresher courses, nursing research or publication, and teaching nursing-related coursework. Verify current requirements with the Virginia Board of Nursing, as these are set by regulation and subject to change.
First-time renewals are exempt from the continued competency requirement following initial licensure by examination or endorsement. Late renewals incur an additional fee. Licenses that have lapsed require a reinstatement application rather than a standard renewal. Reinstating nurses must also demonstrate CE completion for the two years immediately preceding the application. Licenses revoked due to discipline cannot be reinstated until at least three years after the revocation order date.
Virginia LPN Salary and Career Outlook
LPNs in Virginia earn a median annual salary of $64,920, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2025. The state employs approximately 15,550 LPNs. Pay varies considerably by region. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area, which includes Northern Virginia, has the highest median in the state at $75,860. Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk comes in at $64,370, Richmond at $64,030, and Roanoke at $61,210.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (statewide) | $64,920 | $66,300 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro | $75,860 | $74,560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $64,370 | $65,050 |
| Richmond, VA | $64,030 | $66,110 |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,210 | $62,570 |
For context, the national median wage for LPNs is $64,400 as of May 2025. Virginia’s statewide figure tracks closely with the national benchmark, while Northern Virginia’s proximity to the DC market pulls that region significantly higher.
Projections Central estimates 7.2% employment growth for LPNs in Virginia between 2022 and 2032, translating to roughly 1,620 average annual job openings. Long-term care, assisted living, home health, and physicians’ offices are the primary employers. Virginia’s aging population, particularly in rural areas, is the main demand driver.
LPNs who want to advance can pursue RN licensure through LPN to RN bridge programs. For full RN licensing requirements in the state, see Virginia nursing license requirements.
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 Virginia?
Most Board-approved practical nursing programs take 12 to 18 months to complete full-time. Part-time and evening formats extend the timeline to 18 to 24 months. After graduating, add time for the Board of Nursing application review and NCLEX-PN scheduling. Most candidates complete the full process within two years of starting their program.
Does Virginia participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). LPNs who hold a Virginia license and have Virginia as their primary state of residence hold a multistate license that allows practice in other NLC member states. Nurses whose primary residence is in another compact state should verify their compact license covers Virginia before practicing there.
Can I transfer my LPN license to Virginia from another state?
Yes, through licensure by endorsement. You submit an application through the Virginia DHP portal, provide license verification through Nursys or directly from your state board, and complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check through Fieldprint VA. You won’t need to retake the NCLEX-PN as long as you hold an active, unencumbered license and your original program met Virginia’s clinical hour requirements.
What are the continuing education requirements for Virginia LPN license renewal?
Virginia LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. To renew, LPNs must satisfy at least one continued competency requirement under 18VAC90-19-160. The two most commonly used options are: 30 contact hours of CE relevant to nursing practice, or 15 contact hours of CE combined with 640 hours of active nursing practice during the renewal period. Other qualifying paths include national specialty certification, post-licensure academic credit, and nursing-related teaching or research. Late renewals incur an additional fee. Confirm current requirements with the Virginia Board of Nursing before your renewal window opens.
Can LPN programs in Virginia be completed online?
No, not fully. The Virginia Board of Nursing requires practical nursing programs to include at least 400 hours of supervised direct patient contact, which must be completed in person at approved clinical sites. Some programs offer a hybrid format where classroom instruction is partially online, but all students complete clinical rotations in person, regardless of the delivery model for coursework.
Key Takeaways
- Board-approved program required — Virginia LPN candidates must graduate from a program approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, with a minimum of 400 supervised clinical hours.
- NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE — Register with Pearson VUE immediately after submitting your Board application. The Authorization to Test arrives once your application is approved.
- Applications are valid for 12 months — If your application expires before you test, you’ll need to reapply and pay the fee.
- Virginia is an NLC member state — A Virginia LPN license with Virginia as your primary residence grants multistate practice privileges in other Nurse Licensure Compact states.
- Northern Virginia pays significantly more — The DC metro area median for LPNs is $75,860, well above the $64,920 statewide median (BLS, May 2025).
Find approved LPN programs in Virginia, compare admission requirements, and request information from accredited schools.
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.