How to Become an LPN in Vermont 2026
Vermont LPNs must complete a state-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply online through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. Vermont joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2022, so eligible Vermont-licensed LPNs can hold a multistate license covering other NLC member states. Licenses renew biennially on January 31 of even-numbered years.
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The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation licenses LPNs through a three-step process: graduate from a state-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit an online application. Vermont joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2022, which means Vermont-licensed LPNs can choose a multistate license rather than maintaining separate licenses every time they practice across state lines.
This guide covers each part of that process, along with renewal requirements, compact status, and current salary and job outlook data for Vermont LPNs.
- Vermont LPN scope of practice
- How to get your Vermont LPN license
- Vermont and the Nurse Licensure Compact
- License renewal requirements
- LPN salary and job outlook in Vermont
- Advancing from LPN to RN in Vermont
Vermont LPN Scope of Practice
Vermont LPNs work in a dependent role, under the direction and delegation of a registered nurse, physician, or other authorized provider. They don’t independently formulate care plans or conduct full nursing assessments, but they carry out a wide range of direct patient care tasks: administering medications and treatments, monitoring patient status, contributing to care documentation, and performing triage when following clear protocols or in consultation with a supervising provider.
In long-term care and nursing home settings, it’s common for LPNs to delegate tasks to Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs). Vermont LPNs can also teach LNAs in these settings, making them a key part of the care team beyond direct patient contact.
Vermont LPN employers include long-term care facilities, nursing homes, physician offices, outpatient clinics, community health centers, adult day care programs, and home health agencies. Demand has remained consistent across most of these settings, with long-term care and residential care accounting for the largest share of employment.
How to Get Your Vermont LPN License
Complete a State-Approved Practical Nursing Program
Vermont requires graduation from a Board-approved practical nursing program before sitting for the NCLEX-PN. Vermont State University, which absorbed Vermont Technical College, offers the primary in-state LPN program, with full-time completion running approximately one year. Vermont has an articulation structure built into its nursing education system: the practical nursing program is designed as the first year of a professional nursing program, so students can continue directly into RN-level coursework if they choose.
Online-only practical nursing programs don’t meet Vermont’s approval requirements. The Board requires programs to include in-person clinical components that demonstrate hands-on competency, so a fully online program won’t qualify a graduate to sit for the NCLEX-PN in Vermont. For a current listing of Board-approved schools, see our guide to approved LPN programs in Vermont.
Apply Through the Office of Professional Regulation
Applications are submitted online through Vermont’s OPR Online Services System at sos.vermont.gov. Vermont graduates don’t need to submit official transcripts. The nursing program completes a verification of education form and sends it directly to the Board. Graduates of out-of-state programs must have official transcripts sent to the Board directly, and international graduates need a credentials evaluation report from an approved service such as CGFNS.
All first-time applicants must complete a fingerprint-supported criminal background check. After submitting the application, the OPR emails a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate used to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Background check results can take up to 12 weeks to arrive, though processing times vary with volume. A 90-day provisional license is available while waiting on background check results or licensure verification. It can only be issued once per applicant and cannot be extended. Plan processing time from a complete application submission at a minimum of 3–5 business days.
Pass the NCLEX-PN
Once the Board approves the application, it issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. Candidates then register with Pearson VUE and pay the NCLEX-PN exam fee directly to Pearson. The NCLEX-PN is a computer-adaptive exam that tests entry-level practical nursing competence and is the national licensure exam for LPNs in every state. At the time of application, Vermont candidates choose either a single-state license or, if they’re Vermont residents, a multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Vermont LPN Licensing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application by examination | $75 |
| Application by endorsement (licensed <3 years) | $150 |
| Multistate license specialty fee | $100 |
| Biennial renewal | $200 |
All fees are non-refundable and set by the Vermont Legislature. Verify current amounts on the Vermont OPR website before applying, as fees are subject to legislative change.
Vermont and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Vermont became a full Nurse Licensure Compact member on February 1, 2022. The NLC covers both RNs and LPNs. A Vermont-resident LPN who qualifies can apply for a multistate license instead of, or in addition to, holding separate licenses in other states.
With a Vermont multistate license, an LPN can practice in person or via telehealth in any other NLC member state without obtaining additional state licenses. Nurses who reside in other NLC states and hold an active multistate license may practice in Vermont under that license without applying to the Vermont Board separately, as long as Vermont isn’t their primary state of residence.
To qualify for a Vermont multistate license, you must declare Vermont as your primary state of residence and meet the Uniform Licensure Requirements, which include a criminal background check. The multistate option carries an additional $100 specialty fee at the time of initial application or renewal. For details, see the Vermont NLC information page on the Office of Professional Regulation website.
LPN License Renewal in Vermont
Vermont LPN licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal applications open six weeks before expiration, and OPR sends a courtesy email notification when the renewal window opens. Allow at least 5 business days for processing once the renewal application is submitted. Late renewal after a lapse of two or more years requires reinstatement, which includes a federal criminal background check.
The biennial renewal fee is $200. To satisfy the renewal competency requirement, Vermont LPNs must meet one of the following during each two-year cycle:
- 400 hours (50 days) of paid nursing practice in the preceding two years
- 960 hours (120 days) of paid nursing practice in the preceding five years
- 20 hours of continuing education completed within the two-year licensure period
- Hold a nationally recognized nursing certification
- Completion of an original or re-entry nursing program within the preceding five years
Renewals are completed online through the OPR Online Services System. OPR audits a percentage of licensees after the renewal period closes. If selected, you’ll need to provide documentation verifying your practice hours or CE completion.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Vermont
Vermont LPNs earned a median annual salary of $69,930 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s above the national LPN median of $64,400. Vermont employed approximately 1,130 LPNs as of May 2025, concentrated primarily in long-term care, residential care, and home health settings.
| Wage Metric | Vermont | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $69,930 | $64,400 |
| Mean annual wage | $70,110 | $67,050 |
| 75th percentile annual wage | $78,230 | $76,030 |
| 90th percentile annual wage | $84,710 | $83,440 |
On the employment side, Projections Central estimates 12.1% growth for Vermont LPN jobs between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 100 job openings per year. Long-term care, residential care facilities, and home health are expected to account for most new demand, driven in part by Vermont’s aging population. Retirement-driven turnover adds to the opening count beyond net growth, since a significant share of currently licensed Vermont LPNs are near the end of their careers.
Advancing from LPN to RN in Vermont
Vermont’s nursing education system is built with advancement in mind. Vermont State University structures its practical nursing program as the first year of a professional nursing program, with a pathway into the associate degree in nursing (ADN) for graduates who meet the progression requirements.
LPN-to-RN bridge programs allow working nurses to build on their existing license and clinical experience. After completing an ADN or BSN program, graduates apply for Vermont RN licensure through the OPR and sit for the NCLEX-RN. The scope of practice, salary, and career options at the RN level are considerably broader. Vermont RNs earned a median annual salary of $97,460 as of May 2025, according to BLS data. For a full walkthrough of the RN application process, see our guide to Vermont nursing license requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Vermont?
Most Vermont LPN programs take about one year of full-time study. After graduating, you’ll apply to the Vermont OPR, complete a fingerprint-based background check, receive your ATT, and pass the NCLEX-PN. Total time from program completion to an active license typically runs a few weeks to a few months, depending on background check processing volume.
Does Vermont participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Vermont became a full NLC member on February 1, 2022, covering both RNs and LPNs. Vermont-resident LPNs can apply for a multistate license that authorizes practice in other NLC member states without additional licensure. There’s an additional $100 specialty fee for the multistate option at the time of application or renewal.
What are the renewal requirements for a Vermont LPN license?
Vermont LPN licenses renew biennially on January 31 of even-numbered years. The $200 renewal fee is required. To meet the competency requirement, LPNs must document 400 hours of paid nursing practice in the past two years, or satisfy one of the equivalent alternatives: 20 hours of CE, a nationally recognized nursing certification, or completion of a re-entry nursing program within the past five years.
Can I transfer my LPN license to Vermont from another state?
Yes. Vermont offers licensure by endorsement for nurses licensed in other states. If you’ve held an active LPN license elsewhere for three or more years, you can apply through Vermont’s Fast Track Endorsement pathway. First-time Vermont applicants must still complete a fingerprint-based background check. If you hold an active multistate NLC license issued by another compact state, you can practice in Vermont without a Vermont-specific license as long as Vermont isn’t your primary state of residence.
What LPN programs are available in Vermont?
Vermont State University is the primary in-state LPN program provider, with the program running approximately one year of full-time study. Some Vermont students also complete approved programs in neighboring states and then apply for Vermont licensure by endorsement. Online-only programs aren’t accepted. Vermont requires in-person clinical components as part of any qualifying practical nursing program.
Key Takeaways
- Vermont LPN licensure requires three steps: graduate from a state-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply online through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. Plan on at least 3–5 business days for processing once your application is complete.
- Vermont is a full NLC member as of February 1, 2022, covering both RNs and LPNs. Vermont-resident LPNs can apply for a multistate license for an additional $100 specialty fee, authorizing practice across all NLC member states.
- Vermont LPNs earn above the national median: BLS data from May 2025 shows a Vermont median annual salary of $69,930 versus $64,400 nationally. Projections Central estimates 12.1% employment growth from 2022 to 2032, with about 100 openings per year.
- Renewal is biennial on January 31 of even-numbered years. The $200 renewal fee requires documentation of 400 practice hours in the past two years, 20 CE hours, or another qualifying credential.
- Vermont State University’s LPN program is year one of a professional nursing career ladder, with a pathway into the associate degree in nursing for graduates who meet the progression requirements — making advancement to RN a continuation rather than a restart.
Find approved practical nursing programs in Vermont and compare your options for getting licensed.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022–2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.