Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Utah
- Training hours
- —
- Upfront cost
- $260
- Exam
- NCLEX-PN
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah State Board of Nursing
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Graduation from a Utah Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program (or an equivalent out-of-state/internationally-trained pathway)., pass a criminal background check. DOPL's application page does not publish a statewide minimum age for LPN licensure; left as null rather than guessed. Applicants must submit two sets of fingerprints for a criminal history background check through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the FBI. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete training at a state-approved program. Utah requires graduation from a nursing program approved by the Utah Board of Nursing (state-approved programs must hold national accreditation, e.g. ACEN, once their initial provisional approval period ends), but DOPL's own application page does not publish a fixed statewide clock-hour minimum for LPN programs. Left as null rather than guessed. [1]
- 3
NCLEX-PN
Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). The $200 Pearson VUE registration fee is separate from and in addition to DOPL's own application fee. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah State Board of Nursing with the $60 application fee. [3]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah State Board of Nursing issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Utah.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | $60 |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | $68 |
| NCLEX-PN [2] | $200 |
| FBI fingerprint file search (per person) [3] | $12 |
| BCI (Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification) fingerprint file search (per person) [3] | $20 |
$60 application fee plus $12 FBI and $20 BCI fingerprint search surcharges per the FY2025-2026 DOPL fee schedule; no separate 'license' issuance fee beyond the application fee was found. Renewal fee of $68 applies once every two-year renewal cycle. The $200 NCLEX-PN fee (see exams) is paid directly to Pearson VUE, not to DOPL.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 30 continuing education hours required per cycle.
LPN licenses renew every two years for a $68 fee. During the two-year period preceding renewal, a licensee must meet ONE of: (1) at least 400 hours of paid licensed practice, (2) at least 200 hours of practice plus 15 contact hours of approved continuing education, or (3) 30 contact hours of approved continuing education alone. The 'ceHours' value here reflects the CE-only path (30 hours); the practice-hour alternatives are documented in these notes. Renewal applicants must also complete one of DOPL's approved online suicide-prevention trainings.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Utah has been an implemented NLC member since January 19, 2018 (per nursecompact.com's official member-state list) and was among the original states to enact the compact in 2000, so LPNs with an active multistate license from another compact state may practice in Utah without a separate Utah license. For nurses not using compact privileges, DOPL also offers a licensure-by-endorsement pathway for applicants currently licensed as an LPN or RN in another state, territory, or district, subject to verification of the out-of-state license.
8 state-approved training providers in Utah — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $60
- $200
Frequently asked questions
What education is required to become an LPN in Utah?
Graduation from a Utah Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program. DOPL does not publish a fixed statewide hour minimum; program length is set by each approved program under its accrediting standards.
Who administers the Utah LPN licensing exam?
The NCLEX-PN, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of NCSBN, for a $200 registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from DOPL's own application fee.
How much does a Utah LPN application cost?
The DOPL application fee is $60, plus $12 for an FBI fingerprint search and $20 for a BCI (state) fingerprint search, per DOPL's published fee schedule.
How often do I need to renew my Utah LPN license?
Every two years, for a $68 renewal fee. Renewal requires either 400 hours of paid practice, 200 hours of practice plus 15 CE hours, or 30 CE hours alone, plus a suicide-prevention training module.
Does Utah participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Utah has been an implemented NLC member since January 19, 2018, so a Utah multistate LPN license is valid to practice in other compact states, and LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Utah.
Sources
- [1] commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/apply-for-a-license/registered-nurse-or-licensed-practical-nurse/ — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] commerce.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fee-schedule.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [4] commerce.utah.gov/dopl/nursing/renew-a-license/registered-nurse-or-licensed-practice-nurse/ — accessed 2026-07-10