Washington's demand for LPNs is strong, but the state's approved training supply is not. Seven Washington State Board of Nursing approved practical nursing programs currently serve the entire state, forcing applicants to weigh commute, seat availability, and clinical placement geography as heavily as cost.
First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates among Washington-trained candidates hit 90.6% in 2025, but program-level results still separate those that clear the state average from those that do not. Completion and accreditation become the practical tiebreakers.
Cost, pace, and format vary sharply: some tracks finish in about a year, hybrid options move theory online, and licensing steps are uniform even though metro wages outpace rural pay. A cheap or fast seat only matters if the program's clinical pipeline matches where you plan to work.
Washington's Top LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
Washington's practical nursing graduates had a strong recent run: first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates in the state came in at 90.6% across 456 candidates, ahead of the national figure of 86.3%. That number is the clearest signal of whether a program's graduates are actually ready to practice, so it carries real weight when students compare options. Every program below sits comfortably above Washington's 80% minimum pass-rate requirement, and what separates them is how they are built: cohort size, schedule, cost, and the ladder each one offers after licensure.
How we ranked these
- School-wide graduation and completion rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Program completion and accreditation status
- Net price and total program cost
- Delivery format and program length
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham Technical College's practical nursing certificate is built around small cohorts of about 10 students, with both full-time and part-time options and evening classes for students balancing work and family. Clinical placements and employer partnerships across Whatcom County feed steady regional demand for LPNs, and graduates can ladder into the college's LPN-RN pathway. The school's overall graduation rate is 42%.
- ACEN accredited
- $16,000 total program tuition, or $219 per credit
- 18-month, 73-credit certificate
- Full-time and part-time tracks
- Fall start with cohorts of about 10 students
- Evening classes available
- 96% job placement rate reported by the college
- Pathway to the college's LPN-RN associate degree
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Spokane Community College
Spokane Community College offers a campus-based practical nursing certificate in Spokane, one of the public LPN entry points serving eastern Washington. Published program details are limited, so applicants should confirm current prerequisites, cohort size, and start dates directly with the college. The school's overall graduation rate is 33%.
- Certificate or diploma track in practical nursing
- Campus-based instruction in Spokane
Practical Nursing (LPN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College's one-year LPN certificate is designed as a fast route into practice, with clinicals at partnering facilities across the Tri-Cities and a modern practice lab. It is also structured as a career ladder, with advanced placement for working LPNs and a clear path from LPN to RN to BSN. The school's overall graduation rate is 33%.
- One-year LPN certificate
- Fall start, one cohort per year
- Military benefits accepted
- Clinicals at partnering Tri-Cities healthcare facilities
- Modern clinical practice lab
- Advanced placement for working LPNs
- Optional summer quarter available
- Career ladder from LPN to RN to BSN
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) One-Year Certificate — On-Campus
Lower Columbia College
Lower Columbia College's practical nurse certificate in Longview is unusual in that it is not a stand-alone admission: it works as an exit option inside the college's associate degree nursing pathway, open to students already enrolled in nursing. That makes it a fit for students who want LPN licensure on the way to an RN credential rather than as a separate entry point. The school's overall graduation rate is 23%.
- 80-credit Certificate of Proficiency
- Exit option inside the college's ADN pathway
- Open only to currently enrolled nursing students
- No separate admission process
- Prepares students for NCLEX-PN and LPN licensure
- Approved by the Washington State Nursing Commission
Practical Nurse Certificate of Proficiency — On-Campus
Olympic College
Olympic College in Bremerton runs a one-year practical nursing certificate alongside a two-quarter bridge for military medics and corpsmen, so students with prior clinical training can move into the LPN role faster. Coursework blends lab practice, high-fidelity simulation, and supervised clinicals across acute care, long-term care, home health, and ambulatory settings. The school's overall graduation rate is 31%.
- One-year Practical Nursing certificate
- Two-quarter Corpsman/Medic Bridge for military medics
- ACEN accredited and approved by the state board
- High-fidelity simulation lab training
- Clinicals in acute care, long-term care, home health, and ambulatory sites
- Advanced standing may be available for transfer students
- Re-entry application for former nursing students
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Yakima Valley College
Yakima Valley College's practical nursing certificate is a four-quarter, 78-credit program that finishes with a clinical preceptorship and prepares students for NCLEX-PN licensure in Washington. It is one of the newer LPN options serving central Washington's workforce needs, and it uses the TEAS entrance exam. Licensure results reported for this program have varied across sources and years, so applicants should ask program staff for the most current figures. The school's overall graduation rate is 29%.
- Four-quarter, 78-credit certificate
- Winter start, one cohort per year
- TEAS entrance exam required; 2.0 GPA minimum
- Clinical preceptorship in the final quarter
- BLS/CPR certification provided once accepted
- Estimated equipment costs of about $434
- Prerequisite courses required before entry
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College in Tacoma runs a full-time practical nurse certificate that can be finished in three quarters, with a fall cohort of roughly 40 students and one of the stronger overall graduation rates among Washington's LPN schools. Students get childcare and transportation support, and the college builds in transfer pathways to ADN and BSN programs. Clinical rotations can require travel of up to 50 miles each way. The school's overall graduation rate is 43%.
- NLN CNEA accredited
- Full-time track finishes in three quarters, 80 credits
- Fall cohort of roughly 40 students
- 3.0 GPA minimum across prerequisite courses
- $50 application fee; financial aid and scholarships
- Childcare and transportation assistance for students
- Transfer pathways to ADN and BSN programs
- Graduates report about $30.42 per hour on average
Practical Nurse, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Green River College
Green River College in Auburn offers a campus-based practical nursing program as part of the college's broader nursing and allied health offerings in south King County. Published program details are sparse, so prospective students should check directly with the college about prerequisites, cohort timing, and clinical placements. The school's overall graduation rate is 39%.
- Certificate or diploma in practical nursing
- Campus-based instruction in Auburn
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Edmonds College
Edmonds College runs a hybrid practical nursing program in Lynnwood designed for people already working in healthcare, blending online theory with on-campus labs and clinicals one to two days a week. The part-time pathway takes about 21 months and aligns with the state's LPN Direct Transfer Agreement, so graduates can move into RN or BSN study without losing ground. The school's overall graduation rate is 29%.
- Hybrid format: online theory with on-campus labs
- Part-time, 21-month program across six quarters
- Designed for people already working in healthcare
- Six months of direct patient care experience required
- TEAS or HESI entrance exam; 2.5 GPA minimum
- Aligned with the LPN Direct Transfer Agreement
- Fall start with applications due in June
Practical Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood delivers a full-time LPN certificate in three quarters, with fall and spring starts and a holistic admissions review that weighs work experience alongside grades. Clinical rotations can run days, evenings, or weekends, which matters for students commuting around the South Puget Sound. The school's overall graduation rate is 43%.
- Three-quarter, full-time LPN certificate
- Fall and spring start dates
- 2.7 GPA minimum plus prerequisite coursework
- 1,000 hours of customer service experience required
- Admission essay and holistic review process
- Simulation labs plus hands-on clinical rotations
- Military benefits accepted
- About 30 to 35 hours per week commitment
Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate — On-Campus
Most Affordable Washington's Top LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
Tuition costs vary significantly among Washington's highest-ranked practical nursing programs. The five most affordable options from our ranked pool are listed below, based on published in-state tuition from U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS, 2024). Students should confirm current pricing directly with each school, as fees, supplies, and prerequisite coursework can add to total program costs.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Program Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | $4,431 | Campus |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | $4,810 | Hybrid |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima | $5,312 | Campus |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | $6,027 | Campus |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood | $6,634 | Campus |
Fastest Washington's Top LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
For students looking to enter the workforce quickly, these programs from our ranked pool can be completed in approximately one year. Both options follow a campus-based format and prepare graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Cost and format details are drawn from IPEDS and College Scorecard data (2024).
| School | City | Program Length | In-State Tuition | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima | 1 year (4 quarters) | $5,312 | Campus |
| Pima Medical Institute | Seattle | 12 months | $31,016 (net price) | Campus |
Lowest-Cost LPN Programs in Washington
The net price figures below reflect institution-wide averages after financial aid, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Your actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on your individual aid package, residency status, and whether you qualify for grants or scholarships. Beyond tuition, expect additional expenses for items like uniforms, background checks, testing fees, and clinical supplies, which can add several hundred dollars to your total program cost.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | $4,431 | $5,997 | 42% |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | $6,027 | $6,292 | 43% |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood | $6,634 | $9,864 | 43% |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | $4,810 | $11,010 | 29% |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima | $5,312 | $11,843 | 29% |
Fastest Practical Nursing Tracks in Washington
Seven Washington State Board of Nursing approved practical nursing programs currently operate statewide, and how quickly you finish one depends heavily on the format you choose rather than the school's reputation alone.
Full-Time Day Programs Move Fastest
Nationally, full-time practical nursing programs typically run 9 to 12 months, and Washington's day-track options generally fall in that window, though exact quarter counts vary by college and aren't always published in a way that lets you compare schools side by side. A full-time day schedule is almost always the shortest path to testing for your license, but it demands your full attention: clinical rotations, lab hours, and coursework leave little room for outside employment.
Part-Time and Evening Formats Take Longer, by Design
Bates Technical College in Tacoma runs its practical nursing program as a part-time evening track, a format built specifically for students who need to keep working days while they train. Part-time and evening/weekend schedules elsewhere in the state commonly stretch closer to 17 months, trading speed for flexibility. That trade-off is worth naming plainly: an accelerated program saves months, but a part-time track saves your paycheck.
An Apprenticeship Alternative Worth Watching
Washington has explored an LPN Registered Apprenticeship pilot model in recent years, pairing paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction rather than the standard tuition-first model. Availability of this pathway shifts from year to year and isn't guaranteed at every college, so if it interests you, confirm directly with WABON or a participating employer before assuming a seat exists.
Because program length and format aren't uniformly published across every approved school, treat any timeline you see as a starting point for a conversation with admissions, not a guarantee.
Explore other Washington related topics
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Online and Hybrid LPN Options in Washington
Washington's practical nursing programs have moved further toward hybrid LPN programs, but the hands-on core of LPN training still requires you to show up in person. Hybrid in this state almost always means remote theory plus on-campus labs and clinicals, not a stay-at-home license.
What Hybrid Really Means
Some WABON-approved LPN programs now deliver at least part of the classroom instruction online. That may look like recorded lectures, live evening video classes, or asynchronous reading and quizzes. Skills labs, simulation practice, and clinical rotations still happen at the college or at an approved clinical site. If a program says hybrid, ask whether the online portion is synchronous or self-paced and how many days per week you must be on campus.
No Fully Online LPN Program in Washington
There is currently no fully online LPN program in Washington. WABON requires direct patient-care clinical hours, and those hours must be completed in person under supervision. Be cautious with any program that suggests the entire practical nursing curriculum can be finished remotely.
Where Hybrid Options Tend to Appear
WABON's approved program list does not yet separate programs by delivery format, so you will need to check each college's current nursing page. Options around Seattle, Tacoma, and Puyallup are worth reviewing closely, including some of the best LPN programs in Seattle. For example, if you are considering Clover Park Technical College or Green River College, confirm the current attendance schedule, because delivery details can change between catalog years. In most cases, hybrid means theory online and a set schedule for campus labs and clinical rotations.
What Washington LPN Programs Require for Admission
Washington's practical nursing programs use selective admissions, so understanding what each school expects well before the deadline gives you a genuine edge. Requirements vary by college, but several common threads run through nearly every approved program in the state.
- Prerequisite Coursework and GPA MinimumsExpect to complete a slate of prerequisite courses before you can apply. Most programs require English composition (ENGL& 101), general psychology (PSYC& 100), anatomy and physiology (BIOL& 241 and 242), and a nutrition course. Green River College lists nine prerequisites, including statistics (MATH& 146), developmental psychology, and a communications course, and requires a minimum 2.5 in each course with a cumulative prerequisite GPA of at least 3.0. Olympic College sets a per-course floor of 2.0 across roughly 24 prerequisite credits, while Bates Technical College requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA across its prerequisite package. Because admission is competitive, the students who actually earn seats often have GPAs well above the published minimums; Green River reports that competitive applicants typically fall in the 3.2–4.0 range.
- Entrance ExamsUnlike many nursing programs nationally, Washington's practical nursing programs generally do not require the TEAS or HESI A2. Olympic College instead requires the Accuplacer Next Generation Reading exam with a minimum score of 260, even if you already hold a degree. Other programs reviewed for 2026 do not list a standardized entrance exam, so always verify directly with your target school before testing season.
- Background Check, Drug Screening, and ImmunizationsAll programs require a background check, typically through the Washington State Patrol and the DSHS clearance process, which must come back with no disqualifying findings. Clinical partner sites may also require drug screening. Up-to-date immunization records are mandatory before entering clinical rotations, and Green River College does not accept religious or philosophical exemptions for required vaccines. Specific vaccine lists vary by program, so request the full clinical compliance packet early.
- CPR CertificationPrograms require current CPR certification at the healthcare-provider level (typically the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers card) before clinical coursework begins. Some schools accept equivalent certifications, but the AHA card is the most widely recognized across Washington clinical sites.
- CNA Credential and Healthcare ExperienceHolding a Certified Nursing Assistant credential is not a statewide prerequisite for LPN programs, and schools such as Green River, Bates, and Olympic all confirm it is not required for admission. That said, Olympic College specifically recommends prior CNA experience, and any direct-care hours you bring will strengthen a competitive application. If a program uses a point-based rubric, healthcare experience can serve as a meaningful tiebreaker.
- Competitive and Selective Admission ProcessesWashington LPN programs are selective, not open-enrollment. Olympic College accepts applications once per year for a winter-quarter start, with an August 31 deadline. Green River College also runs a selective cycle with its own annual deadline. Bates Technical College requires all prerequisites to be completed, not in progress, before you apply, leaving no room for last-quarter scheduling. Because seat counts are limited, applicants should plan to have transcripts evaluated, prerequisites finished, and compliance documents assembled well ahead of the posted deadline.
- Age and Enrollment RequirementsBoth Green River and Bates require applicants to be at least 18 years old by the time they complete the program. Green River also requires active enrollment as a college student with a current student email at the time of application, and applicants with transcripts from institutions outside the Washington community and technical college system should plan for additional transcript evaluation time.
Steps to Earn Your LPN License in Washington
How long does it take to become an LPN in Washington? From start to finish, most candidates complete the journey in roughly 12 to 24 months. The timeline depends on whether you need prerequisite coursework, the length of your chosen program, and how quickly you schedule and pass the NCLEX-PN. Below is a snapshot of the total estimated timeline.
LPN Wages Across Washington: Statewide and by Metro Area
Washington is one of the highest-paying states in the country for Licensed Practical Nurses. According to 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the statewide median annual wage for LPNs in Washington sits at $83,150, well above the national median of roughly $59,730. That difference of more than $23,000 reflects both the state's higher cost of living and strong demand for bedside nurses across long-term care, clinics, and hospital systems. The table below breaks down statewide percentile wages alongside comparison figures for Registered Nurses and nursing instructors, two common next-career-step roles for LPNs considering advancement.
| Occupation | Total Employment in Washington | 25th Percentile Wage | Median (50th Percentile) Wage | Mean (Average) Wage | 75th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 6,780 | $76,920 | $83,150 | $83,900 | $93,970 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 69,260 | $103,100 | $124,200 | $121,540 | $134,240 |
| Nursing Instructor (Postsecondary) | 1,300 | $69,340 | $81,630 | $92,500 | $104,300 |
Career Growth: LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs in Washington
For working LPNs, Washington State LPN to RN bridge programs are where the career math changes fastest. Several community colleges run structured transition pathways that let you skip the first year of an ADN and finish in under 18 months.
Where to Bridge in Washington
- Edmonds College LPN to RN Bridge: Four consecutive quarters, hybrid part-time, leading to an Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP. Requires a 2.5 GPA in your practical nursing coursework, 12 months of LPN work experience, and 65 prerequisite credits completed before entry. This is the pathway with confirmed Washington State Board of Nursing full approval.
- Pierce College ADN Completion Bridge (Puyallup): Three quarters full-time, delivered online plus on-campus sessions, at roughly $4,870 total. Requires a current unencumbered LPN license and a 3.0 GPA in prerequisites. A part-time evening and weekend track runs five quarters for LPNs who need to keep working.
- Shoreline Community College: LPN to RN Advanced Placement Option awarding an AAS-T associate degree.
- Bellingham Technical College: LPN to RN (ADN) option for licensed practical nurses in the northwest corner of the state.
Articulation and Transfer
Edmonds' Associate in Nursing sits inside the statewide PN-to-AN DTA/MRP articulation framework, meaning credits are designed to transfer cleanly into Washington's public bachelor's completion programs. For other LPN to RN Bridge Programs, confirm directly with the college which LPN programs feed in and whether prerequisite coursework from your original PN training will be accepted without repeat.
Apprenticeship and Military Pathways
Washington does not currently publish a dedicated statewide military medic-to-RN or registered apprenticeship LPN-to-RN pathway. Veterans should work with individual college nursing advisors to map JST transcripts against prerequisites.
The Wage Case
The ROI is straightforward: licensed practical nurses in Washington earn a median wage of about $83,150, while registered nurses statewide earn a median of roughly $124,200. That gap, more than $40,000 per year, generally repays a bridge program's tuition within the first year of RN practice.
Salary Insight
Washington LPNs earn well above the national average.
