StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Wisconsin

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$200
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Completion of at least 2 years of high school (or its equivalent) plus graduation from a DSPS Board-approved practical nursing program, pass a criminal background check. No explicit minimum age is published by the Board on its LPN credentialing page. Applicants must disclose convictions/pending charges (Form 2254); an FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check is additionally required for multistate license applicants. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. DSPS does not publish a fixed clock-hour requirement for LPN programs. The Board's own credentialing page states only that applicants must complete 'at least 2 years of high school or its equivalent and diploma from accredited school for licensed practical nurses approved by board.' Program length is set by each Board-approved school (commonly cited elsewhere as 12-18 months) rather than codified in hours by the Board itself, so hours is recorded as null instead of estimated. [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). National $200 NCLEX registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE/NCSBN, separate from any DSPS state application or license fees. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services). [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Wisconsin Board of Nursing (Department of Safety and Professional Services) issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Wisconsin.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $73
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Temporary practice permit (Form 2434) [3] $10

DSPS's published Renewal Dates and Fees schedule (Rev. 08/07/2025) lists only the $73 biennial renewal fee for 'Nurse, Licensed Practical' (with a $98 late fee). A distinct static initial application/license-issuance fee amount for LPN is not published outside the LicensE online portal that applicants use at the time of application, so application and license are recorded as null rather than guessed (a 2021-2023 archived fee-change notice showed the initial credential fee historically mirroring the renewal fee, but that figure is stale and not confirmed current).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

LPN licenses renew every 2 years, expiring April 30 of odd-numbered years. Wisconsin does not currently require continuing education hours for LPN license renewal.

Reciprocity

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

Wisconsin implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact effective January 19, 2018, per the NLC Commission's official state implementation-date list. Licensure by endorsement (verification of an existing out-of-state license via Nursys or direct state-to-state verification) is also available for LPNs relocating from non-compact states.

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

Cost calculator

  • $200
Total$200

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete a Wisconsin LPN program?

DSPS does not set a fixed clock-hour requirement. Approved programs require at least 2 years of high school (or equivalent) as a prerequisite plus graduation from a Board-approved practical nursing school; programs commonly run 12-18 months, though the Board itself does not codify that length.

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

The NCLEX-PN, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of NCSBN, for a national fee of $200 paid directly to Pearson VUE.

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

Every 2 years, with licenses expiring April 30 of odd-numbered years. The current renewal fee is $73 ($98 with a late fee), and Wisconsin does not currently require continuing education hours for renewal.

Can I work while waiting on my NCLEX or application results?

Yes. New graduates can apply for a Graduate Practical Nurse (GPN) temporary permit (Form 2434) for a $10 fee, valid for three months (renewable once) while practicing under direct RN supervision.

Is Wisconsin part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes. Wisconsin implemented the compact effective January 19, 2018, so an LPN holding a Wisconsin multistate license can practice in other compact member states without a separate license.

Sources

  1. [1] dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/LPN/Default.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/register.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Renewal/RenewalDatesFees.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] nursecompact.com/files/NLC_Map.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10