How to Become an LPN in North Dakota 2026
Becoming an LPN in North Dakota requires completing a Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and applying to the North Dakota Board of Nursing for licensure. Most programs run 11 to 18 months. North Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so an ND license grants practice privileges in other compact states.
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The North Dakota Board of Nursing licenses all LPNs in the state and sets the standards for program approval, licensure eligibility, and practice. The process follows a clear sequence: finish an approved program, register for the NCLEX-PN, apply to the board, and pass the exam. Each step has specific requirements, and knowing them ahead of time keeps the process on track.
On This Page:
- What LPNs Do in North Dakota
- LPN Education Requirements
- Passing the NCLEX-PN
- Applying for an LPN License
- License Renewal
- LPN to RN Advancement
- LPN Salary and Job Outlook
What LPNs Do in North Dakota
North Dakota’s scope of practice for LPNs is defined by state administrative code and shaped by the individual competency of the nurse. The North Dakota Board of Nursing describes LPN practice as a dependent role: LPNs practice under the direction of an RN, APRN, or licensed practitioner. They participate in care planning, contribute to evaluating the plan of care, and modify it in collaboration with the supervising practitioner. Day-to-day duties include administering medications, monitoring patient status, participating in health teaching as approved by the supervising practitioner, and performing IV therapy. LPNs who meet competency standards can assign nursing care to other LPNs and delegate tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel.
Some technical procedures are restricted. LPNs in North Dakota do not administer chemotherapy, and the level of independent clinical decision-making available to LPNs is narrower than it is for RNs. That difference is reflected in the NCLEX-PN itself, which tests at a different level of clinical judgment than the NCLEX-RN.
Practice setting also affects how closely an LPN works with supervisory staff. Critical Access Hospitals, which serve very rural areas with a small number of acute care beds, have different staffing structures than urban facilities. LPNs in those settings may have less immediate oversight, which makes a solid command of scope-of-practice limits especially important.
Some nurses enter practical nursing after working as certified nurse aides. If you’re earlier in that process, see the requirements for becoming a CNA in North Dakota.
LPN Education Requirements
North Dakota LPN programs are offered at the certificate and associate’s degree levels. Both require approval from the North Dakota Board of Nursing, but the associate’s degree track includes additional content: IV theory and clinical experience, data collection and management, and computer literacy are among the added requirements at that level. Community colleges, technical schools, and career education centers throughout the state offer approved programs, including options in rural regions.
Full-time students generally complete a practical nursing program in 11 to 12 months. Part-time programs, which are designed for students balancing work or family responsibilities, typically run 18 to 24 months. Some schools offer evening and weekend schedules. Either way, the same number of clinical hours and coursework applies.
All programs must be approved by the NDBON. Program approval from a national accrediting body such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) can support credit transfer and smoother admission if a graduate later pursues bridge programs for RN licensure.
Passing the NCLEX-PN
Passing the NCLEX-PN is required before the North Dakota Board of Nursing will issue an LPN license. The exam is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers. To sit for the exam, a candidate must first complete an approved program and submit official transcripts to the NDBON, then register through the NCSBN’s online portal, which requires a registration fee. The board reviews the application and, once approved, issues an Authorization to Test. Testing is then scheduled directly with Pearson VUE.
The NCLEX-PN uses computer adaptive testing, meaning the number of questions adjusts based on performance. Most candidates complete the exam in 85 to 150 questions. Results are typically available within 48 hours through the Quick Results Service.
Applying for an LPN License in North Dakota
The licensure application is submitted online through the North Dakota Nurse Portal, the NDBON’s ORBS-based licensing system. Candidates who have not yet created an account will need to do so before accessing the application. Along with the application, candidates must submit official transcripts from their nursing program and complete a criminal background check. The CHRC is required for full licensure, but a 90-day nonrenewable temporary permit is issued while the CHRC is processed. No separate request or fee is needed. The temporary permit allows full-scope practice in North Dakota while the background check is pending.
Application fees apply. Verify current fees directly with the North Dakota Board of Nursing at ndbon.org before submitting.
Candidates who already hold an LPN license in another state can apply by endorsement. The process requires verification of both the original exam license and an active license through Nursys, along with official transcripts and a background check. To satisfy the practice requirement, applicants must meet one of three conditions: 400 hours of licensed nursing practice within the last four years, completion of a nursing program within the last four years, or completion of a board-approved refresher course within the last four years. Full requirements are outlined on the NDBON endorsement page. North Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses who hold a multistate license in another compact state may already have the privilege to practice in North Dakota without applying for a separate license.
License Renewal in North Dakota
North Dakota LPN licenses renew every two years. To renew, licensees must demonstrate 400 hours of nursing practice within the previous four-year period and complete 12 contact hours of continuing education within the two-year renewal period. Nurses who obtained their initial license by examination are exempt from the continuing education requirement during their first renewal cycle, because academic coursework satisfies that requirement.
Inactive status and late renewal options are available through the board under specific conditions, and additional fees apply. Current renewal requirements and fee schedules are maintained at ndbon.org.
LPN to RN Advancement
Many North Dakota LPNs pursue RN licensure through bridge programs. Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs that offer LPN mobility or bridge options allow licensed LPNs to complete the RN credential in a shorter timeframe. Most “1+1” bridge tracks that admit licensed LPNs into the second year of an ADN program can be completed in roughly 9 to 12 months.
Admission requirements vary by school, but programs typically expect an active, unencumbered LPN license, completed prerequisite coursework with a minimum GPA, and clinical placement arrangements in North Dakota if the candidate is completing clinicals in-state. Graduates of any LPN-to-RN bridge program must pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain RN licensure in North Dakota. Learn more about the steps to obtain an RN license in North Dakota.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical nurses in North Dakota earned a median annual wage of $62,300 as of May 2025. That figure is slightly below the national median of $64,400 for the same period. North Dakota employed approximately 1,920 LPNs statewide. Wages vary by setting, employer, and years of experience. The 75th percentile annual wage in North Dakota was $65,020, and the 90th percentile reached $74,130.
| Location | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $62,300 | $65,020 |
| National | $64,400 | $76,030 |
Job growth for LPNs in North Dakota is projected at 8.9% from 2022 to 2032, according to Projections Central data, which would add roughly 230 positions to a base of 2,570 statewide. Average annual job openings over that period are projected at approximately 230, which includes both new positions and replacement demand. Demand is higher in rural and long-term care settings, where vacancy rates have historically outpaced urban facilities.
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 North Dakota?
Full-time students typically complete a North Dakota Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program in 11 to 12 months. Part-time schedules extend the timeline to 18 to 24 months. After completing the program, candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN and receive board approval before practicing.
Does North Dakota participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. North Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. An LPN who holds a multistate license in another NLC member state can practice in North Dakota without applying for a separate state license. Candidates seeking initial licensure in North Dakota will receive a multistate license that covers other compact states.
Can an LPN work independently in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota LPNs practice under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. LPNs contribute to and modify care plans, but the initial plan must be developed by an RN. The level of direct supervision can vary by setting, particularly in rural Critical Access Hospitals, but the supervisory requirement does not change.
What continuing education is required to renew an LPN license in North Dakota?
LPNs must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education within their two-year renewal period, along with 400 hours of nursing practice within the previous four years. Nurses renewing for the first time after obtaining licensure by examination are not required to submit continuing education hours, since academic coursework satisfies that requirement for the initial cycle.
Where can I find approved LPN programs in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Board of Nursing maintains the official list of approved practical nursing programs at ndbon.org. Programs are offered through community colleges, career and technical education centers, and public colleges across the state. See the full list of LPN programs in North Dakota for more options.
Key Takeaways
- NDBON approves and licenses — The North Dakota Board of Nursing approves all practical nursing programs and issues LPN licenses after candidates pass the NCLEX-PN.
- Programs run 11 to 18 months — Full-time students can complete a certificate or associate’s degree program in under a year. Part-time tracks extend to 24 months.
- NCLEX-PN is required for licensure — The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE and must be passed before the board issues an active license.
- North Dakota is an NLC state — An ND LPN license is a multistate license, valid for practice in other Nurse Licensure Compact member states.
- Renewal requires practice and CE — LPNs must log 400 practice hours every four years and 12 CE contact hours per two-year renewal cycle.
Find approved LPN programs in North Dakota, compare options by location and format, and get application information 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.