How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse: LPN Steps, School & NCLEX-PN
Becoming an LPN starts with the right nursing education and a clear licensure plan.
If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, the path usually begins with an approved practical nursing program and continues through hands-on training, your state's licensing process, and the NCLEX-PN.
This guide walks through each step, including what to expect in practical nursing school, how the Florida licensing process works, how long training can take, and what happens before you receive your LPN license.
How do you become a licensed practical nurse?
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse, you generally need to complete a state-approved practical nursing education program, meet the licensing requirements in the state where you plan to practice, register for the NCLEX-PN, pass the exam, and satisfy any remaining state requirements. In Florida, the process also includes proof of education, a Level 2 background screening, an application for licensure by examination, and Board approval to take the NCLEX.
The steps to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse
The details vary by state, but most future LPNs follow a similar path through nursing education, clinical training, licensure approval, and the NCLEX-PN.
Check the licensing requirements in your state
Nursing licenses are issued by state nursing regulatory bodies. Before choosing a school, check the requirements in the state where you expect to practice.
For Florida students, the Florida Board of Nursing publishes the current requirements for LPN licensure by examination.
Complete an approved practical nursing program
LPN candidates need nursing education that meets the requirements of their licensing jurisdiction. The program teaches the nursing knowledge and practical skills needed for entry-level patient care.
Practical nursing education generally includes classroom learning along with nursing skills, simulation, and clinical experience.
Complete nursing skills, simulation, and clinical training
Practical nursing is a hands-on profession. Your education should give you opportunities to practice nursing skills, work through patient-care decisions, communicate with the healthcare team, and care for patients in supervised clinical settings.
This is where classroom concepts start to connect with the decisions nurses make during patient care.
Apply for licensure with your nursing board
After meeting the applicable education requirements, you can begin the licensing process with the nursing regulatory body where you want to practice.
Florida applicants need to submit the required proof of education, complete the required background screening, submit the licensure application and fees, and provide supporting documents when applicable.
Register for the NCLEX-PN and receive authorization to test
NCLEX registration involves both the nursing regulatory body and Pearson. Once the nursing board determines that you are eligible and your Pearson registration is complete, you can receive your Authorization to Test, commonly called the ATT.
You need an active ATT before scheduling your NCLEX-PN exam.
Pass the NCLEX-PN and finish the licensing process
The NCLEX-PN evaluates the knowledge, abilities, and clinical judgment expected of an entry-level practical or vocational nurse.
In Florida, once you pass the NCLEX and meet the remaining licensure requirements, the Board can issue your initial license.
How to become an LPN in Florida
Florida's licensing process involves more than finishing nursing school and signing up for the NCLEX.
Applicants must complete the applicable education requirements, provide the required documentation, complete a Level 2 background screening, and submit an application for licensure.
Once the Board determines that you are eligible for the examination, you can move forward with the NCLEX-PN testing process.
Can you become a Licensed Practical Nurse online?
Some practical nursing coursework can be completed online, but nursing education also includes hands-on skills and clinical training. When a school describes its program as "online," look closely at how the hands-on portions are delivered.
Nursing theory can be taught online
A hybrid program may use live online classes for nursing concepts, pharmacology, health assessment, and other academic coursework.
Nursing skills require hands-on practice
Practical nurses need experience applying nursing techniques, assessments, procedures, safety practices, and communication skills.
Clinical education takes place in patient-care settings
Clinical training gives students supervised experience working with patients and applying what they learned in class.
Check program approval before enrolling
Confirm that the program meets the education requirements for the state where you plan to seek licensure.
How long does it take to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
There is no single timeline for every LPN student. Nationally, practical or vocational nursing programs are often shorter than registered nursing degree programs, but individual schedules vary based on curriculum, clinical requirements, course load, and delivery format.
Nuvelle's current Practical Nursing Program has 1,350 clock hours and a published normal completion time of 18 months.
What should you look for in a practical nursing program?
Choosing the right program matters because your nursing education needs to prepare you for patient care, program completion, and the licensing process that follows.
Current program approval
Confirm that the practical nursing program has the status needed for graduates to pursue licensure in the state where they intend to practice.
Skills and clinical education
Ask how the school teaches nursing skills, simulation, patient assessment, clinical judgment, and supervised clinical practice.
Access to nursing faculty
Find out who teaches the nursing courses, how students get help with difficult material, and what faculty support looks like outside scheduled class time.
NCLEX-PN preparation
Look at how the curriculum develops clinical judgment, prioritization, test-taking skills, and familiarity with the current NCLEX-PN format.
A schedule you can realistically complete
Compare class times, clinical expectations, commute, attendance rules, program length, and the study time you will need outside class.
What is the NCLEX-PN?
The NCLEX-PN is the national licensure examination used by U.S. nursing regulatory bodies as part of the process for licensing practical and vocational nurses.
The exam covers client needs, nursing activities, and clinical judgment expected of an entry-level LPN or LVN.
Nursing school should prepare you to work through patient situations and make safe nursing decisions, rather than rely only on memorizing facts.
A practical nursing pathway in Coral Springs
Nuvelle School of Nursing & Health Sciences has a Practical Nursing diploma program in Coral Springs, Florida. The program combines synchronous online theory with onsite nursing skills, simulation, and clinical education.
Total clock hours
Nuvelle's current Practical Nursing curriculum includes 1,350 total clock hours.
Normal completion time
The published normal completion time is 18 months for students who progress through the program as scheduled.
Online theory with onsite nursing education
Theory is delivered online synchronously, while skills, simulation, and clinical education take place onsite.
NCLEX-PN pathway
Graduates who successfully complete the program may move forward through the applicable NCLEX-PN and licensure process.
What can you expect after becoming an LPN?
Licensed Practical Nurses work in several healthcare settings, including nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, home healthcare, physicians' offices, and private homes.
U.S. median annual wage for LPNs and LVNs in May 2025.
National median hourly wage reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average projected LPN and LVN openings each year from 2025 through 2035.
Questions about becoming an LPN
These are common questions from students researching how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
How do I become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
How long does it take to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Can you become a Licensed Practical Nurse online?
What education do you need to become an LPN?
Do you need a college degree to become an LPN?
What test do you take to become an LPN?
How do I become an LPN in Florida?
Does graduating from an LPN program automatically make me licensed?
What should I look for when choosing an LPN program?
Irene Roman, RN, MSN-Ed
Nursing educator at Nuvelle School of Nursing & Health Sciences. Irene works with nursing students and nurses in practical nursing education, clinical judgment, nursing remediation, NCLEX preparation, and structured learning support.
Official resources for future LPNs
Nursing education, examination procedures, fees, and licensing requirements can change. Check current information from your nursing regulatory body before applying.
- 🩺 Florida Board of Nursing: RN and LPN Licensure
- 📚 Florida Board of Nursing: Nursing Education Programs
- 📝 NCLEX: Registration Process
- 📘 NCLEX: Current NCLEX-PN Test Plan
- 📊 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- 🎓 Nuvelle Practical Nursing Program
This article is for educational purposes. It does not guarantee admission, program completion, NCLEX success, employment, or licensure. Nursing regulations, licensing requirements, program schedules, clinical placements, fees, and other requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with the applicable nursing board and Nuvelle before making enrollment or licensing decisions.
Ready to explore the path to becoming an LPN in Florida?
Review Nuvelle's Practical Nursing Program in Coral Springs, including the curriculum, hybrid schedule, skills and simulation training, clinical education, and NCLEX-PN pathway.
