How to Become an LPN in DC 2026
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in the District of Columbia requires completing a DC Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and applying to the DC Board of Nursing. DC is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so out-of-state LPN licenses don’t transfer to DC without a separate endorsement application. Licenses renew on a two-year birth-month cycle.
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DC sets its own path to LPN licensure, separate from the Nurse Licensure Compact that governs more than 40 other states and territories. To practice as an LPN in the District, you need a program approved by the DC Board of Nursing, a passing score on the NCLEX-PN, and a completed application to the Board. The education component takes about a year for most full-time students.
Use the links below to jump to licensing requirements, application steps, and salary information for DC LPNs.
- LPN program and admission requirements
- NCLEX-PN exam overview
- Applying to the DC Board of Nursing
- Endorsement from another state
- License renewal requirements
- Where LPNs work in DC
- LPN salary and job outlook in DC
LPN Education Requirements in DC
LPN program options within the District are limited. Most aspiring LPNs from Washington DC enroll in DC-area LPN program options in neighboring Maryland or Virginia. Check the DC Board of Nursing’s current approved program list before enrolling to confirm a program meets DC licensure requirements. Most practical nursing programs take 12 to 18 months to complete for full-time students and award a certificate or diploma.
Admission requirements vary by program but generally include a high school diploma or GED, a criminal background check, CPR certification, and documentation of immunizations. Some programs also require an entrance exam, such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or prerequisite coursework in biology or basic math. Clinical hours are mandatory for licensure and cannot be completed online, regardless of whether a program includes hybrid coursework options. For a broader overview of what the LPN path involves, see our guide to general LPN licensing requirements.
The NCLEX-PN Exam
After graduating from a Board-approved practical nursing program, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The exam is developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and tests the clinical knowledge and judgment required for entry-level practical nursing practice.
Candidates register for the NCLEX-PN through NCSBN’s testing vendor. Once you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT), you schedule your appointment at a Pearson VUE testing center. Results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours through the NCSBN Quick Results service. Passing the NCLEX-PN does not grant a license on its own. You must still apply to the DC Board of Nursing separately.
Applying to the DC Board of Nursing
The DC Board of Nursing, operating under DC Health, regulates all LPN licenses in the District. To apply for initial licensure by examination, candidates must submit official transcripts from their nursing program, documentation of their NCLEX-PN results, and a completed application with the required fee. For a complete picture of nursing licensure in the District, covering RN and APRN pathways as well, see our DC nursing licensure overview.
All applicants must complete a criminal background check through fingerprinting. DC Health uses FieldPrint as its fingerprinting vendor. Applicants schedule their fingerprinting appointment and pay the fee through the online license application portal at DC Health’s website. You’ll receive a confirmation code and can locate a fingerprinting site near you after payment. Applicants located abroad follow a separate international process described on the DC Health website. Current application fees should be confirmed directly through DC Health before submitting, as they are subject to change.
Foreign-educated nurses must provide credential evaluations from an approved organization and demonstrate English proficiency through a recognized testing service, unless English was the sole language of instruction in their program.
Endorsement and the Nurse Licensure Compact
DC is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). An LPN licensed in an NLC state cannot practice in DC without first obtaining a DC license by endorsement. This matters directly for nurses trained or currently working in neighboring Virginia or Maryland, both of which are NLC member states.
To apply for licensure by endorsement, out-of-state LPNs submit an application to the DC Board of Nursing along with license verification from the state where they were originally licensed. No re-examination is required if the applicant holds a current, valid license based on passing the NCLEX-PN. Applicants who no longer hold a license in their original state must provide verification from their current licensing state as well.
The reverse also applies. A DC LPN license does not allow practice in other states. If you want to work in Maryland, Virginia, or any NLC state, you’ll need to apply for endorsement in that state separately.
LPN License Renewal in DC
DC LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. Effective June 16, 2024, DC Health moved all professional licenses to a birth-month renewal cycle. Licenses now expire on the last day of the holder’s birth month rather than on a fixed calendar date. Odd-year birthdays renew in odd years. Even-year birthdays renew in even years.
CE requirements for each renewal period include 2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency and 10% of the total required hours in DC Health-identified public health priorities. Confirm the current total CE hours and complete CE requirements with the DC Board of Nursing before your renewal date, as requirements are subject to change.
Where LPNs Work in DC
Washington DC’s licensed practical nurses carry out a range of nursing duties, most often for patients with chronic or sub-acute needs. Their scope of practice sits above that of a nursing assistant but below that of a registered nurse (RN). What an LPN can do in practice depends on the setting, the stability of the patient’s condition, and the availability of RN supervision.
Long-Term Care
Long-term care employs a large share of DC’s LPN workforce. Skilled nursing facilities take in patients recovering from strokes, cardiac events, major surgery, and acute flare-ups of chronic conditions. LPNs provide care that prevents complications during recovery and maintain the ongoing health status of long-term residents. DC-based Stoddard Baptist Global Care describes LPNs as the primary caregivers at their facility and notes that resident care is an active rather than a passive process.
LPN duties in long-term care typically include medication administration, acting as charge nurse, supervising nursing assistants, and making rounds to monitor changes in resident condition. Assisted living facilities also employ LPNs, particularly those serving residents with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or other conditions requiring consistent skilled nursing oversight.
Home care is another option. LPNs may work one-on-one with clients who need skilled services such as G-tube management or trach care, either through home health agencies or direct placement.
Clinic and Office Settings
LPNs work across clinic and medical office settings throughout DC. Children’s National employs LPNs in outpatient clinics, and practices affiliated with Georgetown University Hospital also use LPN staff. Clinics may be general or specialty-focused. Pediatrics, rehabilitation, and family planning are all areas where LPN positions appear regularly in DC.
In practice settings, LPN duties typically include taking vitals, preparing patients for examinations, administering injections, and assisting with procedures. Some positions combine nursing responsibilities with front office or supply management duties.
School Health Services
LPNs have a well-established role in DC school health services. They work under RN supervision to conduct screenings, manage acute health needs during the school day, and make referrals. DC school nurse hiring is coordinated through Children’s National, which typically looks for candidates with prior pediatric or school health experience.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in DC
DC LPNs earn substantially more than the national average. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2025, LPNs in DC had a median annual salary of $75,740, compared to the national median of $64,400. The higher wages reflect the District’s cost of living, strong demand in long-term care, and competition among hospital systems and outpatient networks for qualified nursing staff.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $75,740 | $74,030 |
| National | $64,400 | $67,050 |
On the job outlook side, Projections Central estimates 9.1% employment growth for DC LPNs between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 110 job openings per year. That growth is driven largely by demand in long-term care and home health, where the District’s aging population creates steady hiring pressure. DC LPNs who meet endorsement requirements in Maryland or Virginia also have access to those neighboring markets.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DC have its own LPN licensing exam?
No. DC does not administer its own licensing exam. All LPN candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN, which is developed and administered nationally by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
Is DC part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
No. DC is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). LPNs licensed in NLC states cannot practice in DC without obtaining a separate DC license by endorsement. A DC LPN license also does not extend practice rights to NLC member states.
Can I complete my LPN program entirely online from DC?
No. LPN programs require hands-on clinical training that must be completed in person. LPN program options within DC are limited, and most DC residents enroll in programs in neighboring Maryland or Virginia. Verify that any program you consider appears on the DC Board of Nursing’s current approved program list before enrolling.
How long does it take to get an LPN license in DC?
Most full-time LPN programs take 12 to 18 months to complete. After graduating, you must pass the NCLEX-PN and submit a completed application to the DC Board of Nursing before you can practice. Processing times vary, so candidates should apply as soon as they have their exam results in hand.
What continuing education is required to renew a DC LPN license?
DC LPN licenses renew on a two-year birth-month cycle. CE requirements include 2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency and 10% of the total required hours in DC Health-identified public health priorities. Confirm the current total CE hour requirement directly with the DC Board of Nursing before your renewal date.
Key Takeaways
- Limited LPN program options in DC — Most aspiring DC LPNs attend programs in neighboring Maryland or Virginia. Verify approval status with the DC Board of Nursing before enrolling in any program.
- NCLEX-PN required for licensure — All candidates must pass the national practical nursing exam administered by the NCSBN before the DC Board of Nursing will issue a license.
- DC is not a compact state — The District is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so out-of-state LPNs must apply for endorsement to practice in DC, and DC licensees must do the same to work in other states.
- Renewal on a birth-month cycle — DC moved to birth-month license renewal effective June 2024. LPN licenses renew every two years on the last day of the holder’s birth month.
- Median salary well above national average — DC LPNs earned a median annual salary of $75,740 as of May 2025, compared to the national median of $64,400.
Select your state to find approved LPN programs, application links, and 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.