StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Arizona

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$500
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 4 years
Issuing board
Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. No AZBN source reviewed states a minimum age for LPN licensure, so left null. Fingerprint-based state and federal (FBI) criminal background checks are required for all applicants (background check fee up to $50, waived only if fingerprints were already submitted to AZBN within the prior 2 years); applicants must have no state/federal felony convictions and no nursing-practice-related misdemeanor convictions, and must hold a valid US Social Security number. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Arizona requires graduation from an AZBN Board-approved practical nursing program (Arizona Administrative Code R4-19, Article 2). No specific clock-hour minimum for LPN programs could be located on the AZBN 'Apply for a License' page or in the publicly accessible portion of R4-19-206 (Curriculum), so left null rather than guessed. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). Computerized adaptive test (CAT) delivered at Pearson VUE test centers. National exam-registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE. AZBN's own $300 'Application Fee' for licensure by examination is a combined exam-eligibility-and-licensure fee charged separately from this NCLEX-PN registration fee. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) with the $300 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Arizona.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $300
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $160
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Background check fee [3] $50
NCLEX-PN registration (Pearson VUE, national) [3] $200

AZBN's licensure-by-examination application fee is $300 (a combined exam-and-licensure fee, per the Board's own FAQ), plus a background check fee of up to $50 (waived if fingerprints were submitted to AZBN within the previous 2 years) — no separate 'license' fee beyond this. Licensure by endorsement instead costs $150 application + up to $50 background check. Renewal (every 4 years) is $160. Note: page verified via archive snapshot 2025-09-11 for the fee schedule and 2026-03-14 for the application-fee FAQ text, since azbn.gov blocks automated fetches.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 4 years.

Arizona does not require continuing-education hours for RN/LPN renewal. Instead, renewing nurses must satisfy one of four competency options: at least 960 hours of nursing practice in the past 5 years, graduation from a nursing program within the renewal period, completion of a Board-approved refresher course, or an advanced nursing degree. RN/LPN licenses renew every 4 years by April 1, per AZBN's fee schedule ('RN/LPN: Every 4 Years — $160'). Late renewal fee: $50/month, capped at $200.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Arizona implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on Jan. 19, 2018, per the compact commission's official implementation-date table (NurseCompact.com / NCSBN NLC_Map.pdf). AZBN reviews each qualifying applicant for multistate licensure first; if the multistate criteria aren't met, the application is assessed for a single-state Arizona license by endorsement instead.

5 state-approved training providers in Arizona — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $300
  • $200
Total$500

Frequently asked questions

What license does Arizona issue to practical nurses?

Arizona issues the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license through the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN).

Is Arizona part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes. Arizona implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 19, 2018, so LPNs who qualify receive a multistate license valid for practice in any other NLC state.

What are the fees to apply for LPN licensure by examination in Arizona?

A $300 combined exam-and-licensure application fee plus a background check fee of up to $50, in addition to the separate $200 national NCLEX-PN registration fee paid to Pearson VUE.

Does Arizona require continuing education to renew an LPN license?

No. Instead of CE hours, Arizona requires renewing LPNs to show at least 960 hours of nursing practice in the past 5 years (or complete a refresher course, graduate from a nursing program, or hold an advanced nursing degree). Licenses renew every 4 years for $160.

Does Arizona require a background check for LPN licensure?

Yes. All applicants must submit fingerprints for state and federal (FBI) criminal background checks, with a fee of up to $50, unless fingerprints were already submitted to AZBN within the prior 2 years.

Sources

  1. [1] azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/apply-license — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/agency-fees — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] azbn.gov/licenses-and-certifications/renew-your-license — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] nursecompact.com — accessed 2026-07-10