Licensed Practical Nurse in California

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$77,170

trending_up +23.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, California.

engineering

79,610

Jobs (CA)

monitoring Stable

+2.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$500

Licensing fees

schedule

1-2 years for education; application processing varies (4-12 weeks)

Time to complete

route How to become a licensed practical nurse in California

To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California, individuals must complete a Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) approved vocational nursing program, or meet equivalent education/experience or military requirements. After meeting the educational prerequisites, applicants must pass the NCLEX-PN examination and submit an application with the required fees to the BVNPT. California does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so out-of-state licensees must apply for endorsement and fulfill California's specific educational criteria.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $62,390

25th percentile $68,960

50th (median) $77,170

75th percentile $85,700

90th (experienced) $99,840

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for California. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist California requirements

Licensing body	California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) approved vocational nursing program, or an out-of-state program approved by that state's Board of Nursing, or equivalent education and/or experience (51 months of paid bedside nursing experience in an acute care facility and a 54-theory-hour pharmacology course), or military experience (12 months active duty bedside patient care and basic nursing instruction in the armed forces). All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Out-of-state applicants must meet California's specific coursework requirements.
Exam	NCLEX-PN ($200)
Application fee	$300
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 17. Fingerprinting and background check required. First renewal exempt from CE hours. California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. An additional $150 fee is assessed for delinquent renewals. An initial license fee of $300 is required after passing the exam.

Source: California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.6%

Average

Annual openings

54,400

Nationwide per year

Total employment

651,400

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.51/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleCalifornia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a licensed practical nurse career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a licensed practical nurse in California? expand_more

California requires licensed practical nurses to complete the required education (Completion of a California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) approved vocational nursing program, or an out-of-state program approved by that state's Board of Nursing, or equivalent education and/or experience (51 months of paid bedside nursing experience in an acute care facility and a 54-theory-hour pharmacology course), or military experience (12 months active duty bedside patient care and basic nursing instruction in the armed forces). All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Out-of-state applicants must meet California's specific coursework requirements.), pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application ($300 fee).

Does California require licensed practical nurse licensure? expand_more

California mandates state licensure for licensed practical nurses. California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) oversees the process, which includes passing the NCLEX-PN.

What do licensed practical nurses earn in California? expand_more

licensed practical nurses in California earn a median of $77,170 annually. That's 24% above the national median of $62,340. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $62,390, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $99,840.

What's the total cost to get licensed practical nurse certified in California? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($200) and application fee ($300) and required training.

How many months or years does licensed practical nurse certification take in California? expand_more

The typical timeline in California is 1-2 years for education; application processing varies (4-12 weeks). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a licensed practical nurse license in California? expand_more

To keep your license active, California mandates 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.