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

Virginia Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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

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

Becoming a licensed licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Virginia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,203 training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Virginia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $126, with renewal running $91 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
55/100
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Virginia

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
1,203 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$126
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$46/yr
$91 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Diploma or Associate Degree
1,203 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-PN
Required
Initial License Fee
$126
Renewal Fee
$91
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 1203 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-PN), and an initial fee of $126. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Virginia? ▼
Certification as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 1203 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to Virginia 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 Virginia licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Virginia require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensing in Virginia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Virginia, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $91.

Related Guides

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

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Virginia, 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 Virginia 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.