Licensed Practical Nurse in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.
Jobs (VA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a licensed practical nurse in Virginia
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Virginia, individuals must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN examination. The licensing body is the Virginia Board of Nursing. A criminal background check with fingerprints is mandatory for all applicants. Virginia is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, which allows LPNs with a multi-state license from another compact state to practice in Virginia. For those licensed in non-compact states, licensure by endorsement is an option.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Virginia requirements
| Licensing body | Virginia Board of Nursing |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a state-approved practical nursing program |
| Exam | NCLEX-PN ($200) |
| Application fee | $170 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | A criminal background check with fingerprints is required. Continued competency for renewal can be met through various options, including 30 contact hours of continuing education, or 15 contact hours of continuing education and 640 hours of active practice as a nurse. Other options include specialty certification, post-licensure academic education, a board-approved refresher course, a nursing-related evidence-based practice project or research study, publication as an author or co-author, or teaching/developing nursing-related courses. Minimum age is 18 years old. Social Security Number is required for online application, if not available, contact the board directly. If graduated from a nursing program with less than 400 clinical hours, evidence of 960 hours of clinical practice and an active, unencumbered LPN license from another U.S. jurisdiction is required for endorsement. |
Source: Virginia Board of Nursing
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk