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

Rhode Island Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

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

Becoming a licensed licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Rhode Island means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,372 training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Rhode Island regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $168, with renewal running $124 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Rhode Island

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
1,372 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$168
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$62/yr
$124 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,372 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$168
Renewal Fee
$124
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 Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island requires 1372 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-PN), and an initial fee of $168. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Rhode Island? ▼
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Rhode Island means clearing the state's checklist: 1372 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Rhode Island licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
Yes, Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island ties continued licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $124 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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.