💉 Licensed Practical Nurse License Requirements by State

Compare licensed practical nurse license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level licensed practical nurse license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $200–$200. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$200	$51,965
AKAlaska	Required	—	$200	$74,065
AZArizona	Required	—	$200	$57,938
ARArkansas	Required	—	$200	$50,173
CACalifornia	Required	—	$200	$82,427
COColorado	Required	—	$200	$64,508
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$200	$68,689
DEDelaware	Required	—	$200	$59,730
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$200	$76,454
FLFlorida	Required	—	$200	$57,340
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$200	$55,548
HIHawaii	Required	—	$200	$80,635
IDIdaho	Required	—	$200	$56,146
ILIllinois	Required	—	$200	$62,716
INIndiana	Required	—	$200	$54,354
IAIowa	Required	—	$200	$53,159
KSKansas	Required	—	$200	$53,159
KYKentucky	Required	—	$200	$53,159
LALouisiana	Required	—	$200	$53,757
MEMaine	Required	—	$200	$57,938
MDMaryland	Required	—	$200	$65,105
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$200	$72,870
MIMichigan	Required	—	$200	$56,146
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$200	$62,119
MSMississippi	Required	—	$200	$49,575
MOMissouri	Required	—	$200	$53,757
MTMontana	Required	—	$200	$57,340
NENebraska	Required	—	$200	$53,757
NVNevada	Required	—	$200	$60,924
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$200	$62,119
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$200	$70,481
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$200	$54,354
NYNew York	Required	—	$200	$77,649
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$54,951
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$200	$56,743
OHOhio	Required	—	$200	$54,951
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$200	$51,965
OROregon	Required	—	$200	$65,703
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$200	$58,535
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$200	$61,521
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$54,354
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$200	$52,562
TNTennessee	Required	—	$200	$53,757
TXTexas	Required	—	$200	$56,146
UTUtah	Required	—	$200	$57,938
VTVermont	Required	—	$200	$60,327
VAVirginia	Required	—	$200	$60,924
WAWashington	Required	—	$200	$70,481
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$200	$51,367
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$200	$56,146
WYWyoming	Required	—	$200	$56,743

Common questions about licensed practical nurse licensing

Do all states require a licensed practical nurse license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level licensed practical nurse license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a licensed practical nurse license?

Application fees across the states range $200–$200. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a licensed practical nurse license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.