StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Kentucky

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$325
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Graduation from a KBN-approved practical nursing program (or an equivalent out-of-state/international program meeting KBN standards)., pass a criminal background check. No statewide minimum age for LPN licensure is published on KBN's own site — left null rather than guessed. A state and federal criminal background check through IdentoGO is required of all applicants. A Jurisprudence Exam (80% minimum score) must also be passed before licensure. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Kentucky requires graduation from a KBN-approved practical nursing program under 201 KAR 20:340, and approved programs must maintain at least an 85% NCLEX-PN pass rate to remain in good standing, but KBN's own site does not publish a single statewide clock-hour minimum for LPN programs — each approved program sets its curriculum length within Board standards. Left as null rather than guessed. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). The $200 Pearson VUE registration fee is separate from and in addition to KBN's own $125 examination application fee. Kentucky also requires a Jurisprudence Exam (80% minimum passing score) before licensure. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) with the $125 application fee. Typical processing time: Applications and required documents are typically reviewed within 14 business days of receipt; cases that disclose disciplinary history or criminal convictions can take up to 3 months to process.. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Kentucky.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $125
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $65
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Endorsement (licensure by endorsement from another state) [3] $165
Reinstatement [3] $135
Retired licensure status [3] $25

Per KBN's official fee schedule: $125 examination application fee, $65 renewal fee (renewal is annual, not biennial — see renewal), $165 endorsement fee, $135 reinstatement fee. There is no separate 'license issuance' fee beyond the application fee, so license is left null.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year. 14 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Kentucky LPN licenses renew annually (not biennially): the renewal window runs September 15 through October 31 each year, with continuing education contact hours earned during the preceding November 1 - October 31 period. KBN's LPN Examination page states 14 contact hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) are required annually. KBN also has one-time content-specific CE requirements for new licensees (domestic violence, pediatric abusive head trauma, suicide prevention, Alzheimer's/dementia) to be completed within 3 years of initial licensure.

Reciprocity

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

Kentucky is a current Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member, confirmed on the official NCSBN/nursecompact.com compact map, which lists Kentucky as 'Enacted NLC.' LPNs licensed in another state may also apply for a Kentucky license by Endorsement ($165 application fee) via the KBN Nurse Portal; applicants who have never held a Kentucky license and were originally licensed by examination in another U.S. jurisdiction are eligible.

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

Cost calculator

  • $125
  • $200
Total$325

Frequently asked questions

Who administers the LPN licensing exam in Kentucky?

The NCLEX-PN, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of NCSBN, for a $200 registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from KBN's own $125 examination application fee.

How often do Kentucky LPNs renew their license?

Annually, not every two years. The renewal window is September 15 through October 31 each year, and the renewal fee is $65.

How many continuing education hours do Kentucky LPNs need each year?

14 contact hours of continuing nursing education, earned during the November 1 - October 31 period preceding renewal, plus one-time content-specific CE (domestic violence, pediatric abusive head trauma, suicide prevention, Alzheimer's/dementia) within 3 years of initial licensure.

Does Kentucky participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes. Kentucky is a current NLC member, so a Kentucky multistate LPN license is valid to practice in other compact states, and LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Kentucky.

How long does it take to process a Kentucky LPN application?

KBN typically reviews applications and required documents within 14 business days, though disclosures of disciplinary history or criminal convictions can extend that to up to 3 months.

Sources

  1. [1] kbn.ky.gov/licensed-practical-nurse/Pages/lpn-examination.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] kbn.ky.gov/KBN%20Documents/fees-for-licensure-applications-and-services.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] kbn.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/Renewal.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] nursecompact.com/map.page — accessed 2026-07-10