StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in California

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1530 hrs
Upfront cost
$800
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, pass a criminal background check. BVNPT's official Summary of Requirements for Licensure states a minimum age of 17 years. All applicants must submit Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI fingerprints; a license will not be issued until BVNPT receives the background-check results from DOJ. [5]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1530 hours of training (including 954 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 2532 requires a BVNPT-approved vocational nursing program to consist of not less than 1,530 hours (or 50 semester units): 576 theory hours (including a minimum of 54 hours in pharmacology) plus 954 clinical hours. Alternative pathways exist for equivalent education/experience (51 months of paid general-duty bedside nursing experience within the prior 10 years, at least half within the prior 5) or military medical-corps service (12 months active duty with bedside patient care, plus basic nursing instruction). [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). Computerized adaptive test (CAT) delivered at Pearson VUE test centers. BVNPT also accepts a passing score on the NLN Practical Nursing Examination as an alternative. National exam-registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from BVNPT's own application/examination-review fee of $300 (California school graduate) or $330 (equivalency/non-California school graduate) — BVNPT's fee is for evaluating application materials only and does not include the NCLEX administration fee. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) with the $300 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) issues your Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) for California.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $300
License fee [3] $300
Renewal fee [3] $305
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Exam fee, equivalency/non-California school graduate [3] $330
Interim permit [3] $50
DOJ fingerprint processing [3] $32
FBI fingerprint processing [3] $17
License endorsement (out-of-state licensees) [3] $300
NCLEX-PN registration (Pearson VUE, national) [3] $200

Per BVNPT's official fee schedule (effective 09/21/2022): Examination/application fee is $300 for California school graduates ($330 for equivalency/non-California school graduates), Initial License fee is $300, and Biennial Renewal is $305 (includes a $5 Vocational Nurse Education Fund contribution). Separate DOJ ($32) and FBI ($17) fingerprint-processing fees apply to all applicants.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 30 continuing education hours required per cycle.

LVN licenses renew every 2 years. Licensees must certify, under penalty of perjury, completion of 30 hours of continuing education related to their scope of practice within the two years immediately preceding renewal; per BVNPT's own post-licensure page, this requirement applies from the first renewal onward. Provider certificates must be retained for 4 years for potential audit.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

California is NOT a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact — it does not appear on the compact commission's official implementation list (NurseCompact.com / NCSBN NLC_Map.pdf), which shows California as a 'Currently No Action' state. Out-of-state LVNs/LPNs may instead apply for a California license by endorsement ($300 fee).

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

Cost calculator

  • $300
  • $300
  • $200
Total$800

Frequently asked questions

What license does California issue to practical/vocational nurses?

California issues the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license — its equivalent of the LPN license — through the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).

Is California part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

No. California is one of the states that has not enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an out-of-state multistate compact license does not authorize practice in California — LVNs must obtain a California-specific license by examination or endorsement.

How many hours does a California LVN program require?

At least 1,530 hours total: 576 theory hours (including a minimum of 54 hours of pharmacology) and 954 clinical hours, per California Code of Regulations Title 16, Section 2532.

How much does it cost to apply for an LVN license in California?

$300 for the examination/application fee (California school graduates; $330 for equivalency/non-California graduates), plus $300 for the initial license, DOJ ($32) and FBI ($17) fingerprint-processing fees, and the separate $200 national NCLEX-PN registration fee paid to Pearson VUE.

Is there a minimum age to become an LVN in California?

Yes, 17 years old, per BVNPT's official Summary of Requirements for Licensure.

Sources

  1. [1] law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/16-CCR-2532 — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] bvnpt.ca.gov/licensees/fees.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] bvnpt.ca.gov/licensees/post_licensure.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/summary_vn.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  6. [6] nursecompact.com — accessed 2026-07-10