StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Virginia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
400 hrs
Upfront cost
$370
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Graduation from a Board-approved practical nursing education program, pass a criminal background check. The Board's own applicant-resources page does not publish a minimum age requirement for LPN licensure, so minAge is recorded as null rather than guessed. A fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC) is required of all RN/LPN licensure applicants. [5]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 400 hours of training (including 400 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. 18VAC90-27-100 requires a Board-approved practical nursing education program to provide a minimum of 400 hours of direct client care (clinical) supervised by qualified faculty; up to 25% of those hours (100 hours) may be fulfilled through simulation. The regulation does not codify a separate total for classroom/didactic hours, so the 400-hour figure reflects clinical hours specifically. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). This $200 registration fee is paid directly to Pearson VUE/NCSBN and is separate from the Board's own $170 application fee. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) with the $170 application fee. Typical processing time: Complete applications are typically processed within 30 business days (about 6 weeks) from the date all required documentation and fees are received; applicants can track progress via the online Checklist tool, and should wait at least 10 business days before following up.. [7]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Virginia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $170
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $120
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Late renewal penalty [3] $40
Repeat examination application [3] $50
Reinstatement [3] $200

Virginia charges one $170 application fee (by exam or by endorsement) that covers both application review and initial licensure; there is no separate license-issuance fee, so 'license' is recorded as null rather than duplicating the application fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Virginia does not require a single fixed continuing-education hour count. Under 18VAC90-19-140, LPNs meet continued competency by choosing one of about nine pathways, e.g., 15 contact hours of relevant coursework plus 640 hours of active practice, OR 30 contact hours alone, OR academic credit, current specialty certification, teaching, or a research/evidence-based-practice project. Because there is no single number, ceHours is recorded as null.

Reciprocity

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

Virginia implemented the (enhanced) Nurse Licensure Compact for both RN and LPN effective January 19, 2018, confirmed on the Board's own NLC page. Applicants not eligible for a multistate license may still apply for a single-state Virginia license by endorsement.

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

Cost calculator

  • $170
  • $200
Total$370

Frequently asked questions

How many clinical hours does a Virginia LPN program require?

Board-approved practical nursing programs must provide at least 400 hours of direct client care (clinical) supervised by qualified faculty; up to 100 of those hours may be completed via simulation.

What exam do I need to pass to become an LPN in Virginia?

You must pass the NCLEX-PN, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of NCSBN. The exam registration fee is $200, paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from Virginia's own $170 Board application fee.

How often do I renew my Virginia LPN license, and what does it cost?

Virginia LPN licenses renew every two years. The renewal fee is $120; a $40 late-renewal penalty applies if you miss the deadline.

Can I use my Virginia LPN license to practice in other states?

Yes. Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so a Virginia multistate license lets you practice in other compact member states without obtaining a separate license.

How long does it take to get an LPN license in Virginia?

Complete applications are typically processed within about 30 business days (6 weeks) once all required documents and fees are received.

Sources

  1. [1] law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency90/chapter27/section100/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PractitionerResources/Fees/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PractitionerResources/ContinuedCompetency/RNLPN/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/ApplyforLicense/LicensedPracticalNurse/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  6. [6] dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/NurseLicensureCompact/ — accessed 2026-07-10
  7. [7] dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/ApplicationStatus/ — accessed 2026-07-10