How to Become an LVN in Texas 2026
To become an LVN in Texas, complete a vocational nursing program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit a licensure application to the TBON. Most programs run 12 to 18 months. Texas uses the LVN title rather than LPN, but both designations refer to the same license and national exam.
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Texas issues Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) licenses, not LPN licenses. The credential is functionally identical, but Texas and California use the vocational nurse designation. The Texas Board of Nursing oversees all LVN licensure in the state and approves every program a candidate can attend. Requirements are set by state rule. The TBON website is the authoritative source for current fees and application materials.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, exam information, the application process, renewal, and salary data for Texas LVNs.
- LVN education requirements in Texas
- The NCLEX-PN
- Applying for your Texas LVN license
- License renewal
- Endorsement for out-of-state LVNs
- Where Texas LVNs work
- LVN salary and job outlook in Texas
LVN Education Requirements in Texas
All LVN programs in Texas must be approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. The TBON sets a minimum of 1,398 clock hours (558 hours of classroom instruction and 840 hours of clinical practice), though most programs exceed that. Programs award a diploma or certificate rather than a degree and typically run 12 to 18 months from start to finish. The TBON describes these programs as clinically intensive: candidates spend significant time in supervised patient care settings alongside classroom and lab work.
Coursework covers the areas an LVN is expected to handle after licensure: medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, maternal-newborn care, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health nursing, and nursing fundamentals. Admission requirements vary by school but generally include a high school diploma or GED, TEAS test scores, and completion of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment for reading, writing, and math.
Fully online LVN programs are not approved in Texas. Clinical skills require direct patient care under supervision, and the TBON mandates in-person attendance for all practical components. Some programs offer a hybrid format for general education coursework, but the clinical hours must be completed on-site.
The NCLEX-PN
After completing an approved program, every first-time applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN to receive an LVN license in Texas. The exam is developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and is the same test used for licensure in every U.S. state and territory. It is computer adaptive, meaning the number of questions adjusts based on the test-taker’s responses, and it evaluates the knowledge and judgment required for entry-level practical nursing practice.
The exam covers safe and effective care environments, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Candidates schedule their testing appointment through Pearson VUE after the TBON issues an Authorization to Test (ATT). Results are available through the quick results service roughly 48 hours after the exam and confirmed through the TBON licensing database once the official pass/fail determination is made.
Applying for Your Texas LVN License
The application for initial LVN licensure is submitted through the Texas Board of Nursing. The process includes an online application, payment of the required fees, electronic fingerprinting for a criminal background check, and submission of an official transcript from the approved program. The TBON reviews the application before issuing the Authorization to Test, so candidates should plan for processing time before they can schedule the NCLEX-PN.
Texas law requires applicants to disclose criminal history, prior disciplinary actions, and certain health conditions that may affect the ability to practice safely. The TBON reviews these disclosures individually. A prior conviction does not automatically result in denial, but some offenses have mandatory waiting periods or disqualifiers defined by rule. Candidates with concerns about their background can request a declaratory order from the TBON before completing a program to get an advance determination of eligibility. For a broader overview of nursing pathways in the state, see Texas nursing license requirements.
License Renewal
Texas LVN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. For each renewal, nurses must complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education in their area of practice, or achieve, maintain, or renew a Board-approved national nursing certification. All nurses must also complete the targeted continuing education requirement on Nursing Jurisprudence and Nursing Ethics, which cannot be substituted with certification. The TBON sends renewal notices to the address on file, and renewal can be completed online through the TBON nurse portal. Practicing on an expired license is a violation of state rules. The TBON has enforcement authority and can take disciplinary action.
LVNs who let their license lapse and want to return to practice must apply for reinstatement. The requirements depend on how long the license has been expired and whether the nurse has practiced in any capacity during that period. The TBON website outlines the reinstatement process, and in some cases, additional education or a competency review may be required before a license is reissued.
Endorsement for Out-of-State LVNs
LVNs licensed in another U.S. state or territory can apply for Texas licensure by endorsement rather than retaking the NCLEX-PN. To qualify, the applicant must have graduated from an approved practical or vocational nursing program, passed the NCLEX-PN or an equivalent examination, and hold or have held an LVN or LPN license in another state. Texas also requires that the applicant have practiced as an LVN or passed the NCLEX-PN within the past four years. Applicants who do not meet the recency requirement must comply with additional rules before a license can be issued.
As of July 2025, all U.S. states and territories (excluding Puerto Rico) participate in the Nursys national database for licensure verification. Endorsement applicants must submit a verification request through Nursys and pay the applicable fee. Texas still requires fingerprinting and a background check as part of the endorsement process.
Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LVNs who establish Texas as their primary state of residence can apply for a Texas multistate license, which allows practice in other NLC member states without obtaining additional licenses. Nurses holding a multistate license from another compact state who move to Texas must apply for a new license with the TBON within 60 days of establishing Texas as their primary state of residence.
Where Texas LVNs Work
Texas employs more LVNs than nearly any other state. BLS data shows 57,560 licensed vocational nurses working in the state as of May 2025. The largest single employment setting is nursing homes and extended care facilities, where LVNs make up a significant share of the direct-care staff. Home health is the second most common setting, followed by hospital inpatient positions, though inpatient LVN roles have declined at hospitals in many markets.
Other common settings include physician and dentist offices, outpatient clinics, community and public health agencies, and private duty nursing. Private duty work typically involves caring for medically complex patients at home, including adults or children who rely on equipment like ventilators, tracheostomies, or feeding tubes. This type of position requires additional competencies beyond the basic LVN program.
The most common LVN role statewide is staff nurse, followed by office nurse. Some LVNs advance into charge nurse or supervisory roles, particularly in long-term care settings where they may oversee certified nursing aides and other unlicensed personnel. LVNs work within a directed scope of practice and are required to practice under the appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatrist. The TBON periodically issues position statements clarifying which tasks fall within the LVN scope and which require additional training or are beyond it.
LVN Salary and Job Outlook in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Texas earned a median annual wage of $62,240 as of May 2025. The mean annual wage was $62,770. Wages vary by metro area. Dallas-Fort Worth LVNs earned a median of $64,370, Houston LVNs earned $63,670, and Austin-area LVNs earned $64,580. Salaries in the Rio Grande Valley and the Panhandle run below the statewide median.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Texas (statewide) | $62,240 | $62,770 |
| National | $64,400 | $67,050 |
| Texas Metro Area | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock | $64,580 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $64,370 |
| Houston | $63,670 |
| San Antonio | $62,280 |
| El Paso | $58,770 |
| McAllen-Edinburg | $56,250 |
On the job market side, Texas projects strong demand. Projections Central estimates 12.4% employment growth for LVNs in Texas between 2022 and 2032, well above the national projection of 5.3% for the same period. Texas expects an average of 5,830 LVN job openings per year through 2032.
LVNs who want to advance have a clear path. Texas has a strong network of LVN-to-RN bridge programs that give credit for prior nursing education, and RN employment in the state is also projected to grow. The TBON and Texas nursing stakeholders actively encourage LVNs to consider bridge programs as a next step.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LVN and an LPN?
There is no clinical difference. LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) and LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) are two titles for the same credential. Texas and California use the LVN designation. Every other state uses LPN. Both sit for the NCLEX-PN and practice under the same national standards for entry-level practical nursing.
Can I complete an LVN program online in Texas?
No. The Texas Board of Nursing does not approve of fully online LVN programs. The hands-on clinical hours required for licensure cannot be completed through remote instruction. Some programs offer hybrid formats for general education components, but the clinical training must be completed in person at an approved site.
How long does it take to get an LVN license in Texas?
Most candidates complete an approved program in 12 to 18 months. After that, the timeline to licensure depends on TBON application processing time, background check results, and NCLEX-PN scheduling availability. Candidates who apply promptly and pass the exam on the first attempt can often receive their license within a few months of graduating.
Can I transfer my LPN license from another state to Texas?
Yes. If you are moving from a non-compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement through the TBON. Requirements include graduating from an approved program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and having practiced in nursing or passed the exam within the past four years. If you are moving from another NLC compact state, you will apply for a new Texas multistate license since Texas is your new primary state of residence. In either case, fingerprinting for a criminal background check is required.
What can an LVN do independently in Texas?
Texas LVNs practice under a directed scope of practice, which requires appropriate supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatrist. They can administer medications, monitor patient conditions, perform certain procedures, and document care, but they do not independently initiate or manage care plans. The TBON issues position statements on specific procedures. Some tasks require additional training, and others fall outside the LVN scope entirely. The TBON website is the authoritative source for current scope-of-practice guidance.
Key Takeaways
- TBON approves all programs — LVN programs in Texas must have Texas Board of Nursing approval, with a minimum of 1,398 training hours, and fully online programs are not permitted.
- NCLEX-PN required for licensure — The exam is developed by the NCSBN and must be passed before the TBON issues an LVN license. All first-time applicants sit for the same national exam.
- License renews every two years — Texas LVN licenses run on a two-year renewal cycle and require continuing education, including mandatory content on Texas nursing jurisprudence.
- Endorsement available for out-of-state nurses — LVNs licensed elsewhere can apply for Texas licensure by endorsement rather than retaking the NCLEX-PN, provided they meet TBON recency and background requirements.
- Strong state job market — Texas projects 12.4% LVN employment growth from 2022 to 2032, with 5,830 average annual openings, and employs over 57,000 LVNs statewide.
Find Texas Board of Nursing-approved LVN programs and compare options by location, cost, and program length.
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.