2026 data Georgia board official source

Georgia Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

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

Georgia sets the entry bar for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s at 1,230 training hours and a passing score on NCLEX-PN. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Georgia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Budget $132 to get started, plus $96 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, licensed practical nurse (lpn)s should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
54/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Georgia

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 D
1,230 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$132
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$48/yr
$96 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 Georgia

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,230 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$132
Renewal Fee
$96
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Georgia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Georgia?
In Georgia, the license path calls for 1230 education/training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN, and a $132 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Georgia?
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Georgia means clearing the state's checklist: 1230 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Georgia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Georgia from another state?
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for licensed practical nurse (lpn)s: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Georgia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Georgia require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing?
Background screening is part of the licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing process in Georgia. 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 Georgia?
Georgia ties continued licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $96 renewal fee.

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

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Georgia, 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 Georgia 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.