2026 data New Hampshire board official source

New Hampshire Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

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

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

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

New Hampshire's path to licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure runs through 1,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. New Hampshire folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Budget $75 to get started, plus $50 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
66/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · New Hampshire

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
1,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$25/yr
$50 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 New Hampshire

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,000 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
$50
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 New Hampshire licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire requires 1000 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-PN), and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Hampshire?
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in New Hampshire means clearing the state's checklist: 1000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New Hampshire licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to New Hampshire from another state?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New Hampshire licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New Hampshire require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing?
Yes, New Hampshire requires a criminal background check as part of the licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire ties continued licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $50 renewal fee.

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

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire 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.