Certification Requirements for an LPN

Licensed practical nurses take patient vital signs and perform other tasks delegated by a physician or RN.exam image by Sandor Kacso from Fotolia.com

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) work to care for patients by giving bedside care, maintain patient comfort and gather vital signs from patients under the direct supervision of registered nurses or physicians. The U.S. Department of Labor states nurses must undergo state-approved training and pass a certification examination to become licensed. Check with the local state nursing board to determine exact LPN certification requirements in your state.

Education

To become certified as a licensed practical nurse, applicants must complete a training program approved by the state. While every training program may be slightly different, the U.S. Department of Labor states most LPN training programs last one-year and teach students foundational knowledge to obtain entry-level work as an LPN. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has a database of every state board of nursing and their contact information.

After completing an LPN training program, applicants must submit a completed LPN license application to their state board of nursing. The exact requirements for this application will vary from state-to-state; however, most applications require personal contact information and official transcripts of the LPN training program. They also require information for a criminal background check. This application will require a fee and must be filed prior to registering for examination.

Aspiring LPNs must take and pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) examination. This examination covers all the major topics an LPN must be well-versed in, including physiological and psychosocial integrity, health maintenance and promotion, and safe patient care. Prior to registering for the NCLEX-PN exam, applicants must check with their state board of nursing to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements for their state. After the state board of nursing reviews the LPN license application, the board will approve the candidate for examination and an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter is sent with scheduling instructions. As of 2010, the NCLEX-PN examination is proctored by Pearson VUE and requires a $200 examination fee, which must be paid prior to taking the exam.