Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / California
2026 data California board official source

California Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.

What the California data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

To practice as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in California, the state licensing board requires 1,493 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under California's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $198, and renewal costs $149 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed practical nurse (lpn)s, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
46/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · California

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,493 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$198
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$75/yr
$149 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in California

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,493 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$198
Renewal Fee
$149
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) All California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in California? ▼
In California, the license path calls for 1493 education/training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN, and a $198 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in California? ▼
California licenses licensed practical nurse (lpn)s who complete its requirements (1493 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the California licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to California from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s nationally works like this: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into California. Verify the specifics with the California licensing board.
Does California require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing process in California. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in California? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in California, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $149.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in California, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the California licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.