2024 - Best LPN Programs in Alabama

Last Updated/Verified: Nov 22, 2023

Those looking for a promising career in the healthcare field should absolutely consider becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN). The nationwide nursing shortage has increased demand, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is projecting a 9% jump in employment through the year 2029.

LPNs in Alabama earn approximately $21.76 per hour, which equates to an average annual salary of $45,260. This is roughly $10,600 per year less than the national average.

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Are you looking to become a licensed practical nurse in Alabama? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license. Approved programs in Alabama are offered at community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools - we list 16 schools across the state. After careful review of NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years, we have ranked the top 5 programs. For more information on our LPN program rankings, see our Methodology page.

To see all the top ranked LPN programs in Alabama click here.

Details on Alabama LPN Schools & Classes

To become an LPN in Alabama, you’ll need to enroll in a school that offers the program. Many educational institutions, including community colleges and technical/trade schools offer quality LPN programs. Once you have graduated from an LPN program, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-PN in order to gain licensure as an LPN. LPN programs consist of a range of medical-based classes and labs. For instance, Lawson State Community College offers the following course titles as part of its LPN program:

  • Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Psychosocial Nursing
  • Introduction to Pharmacology

Accreditation

To ensure that you’re choosing a quality LPN program, you’ll want to check for accreditations. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is a good, national accrediting body to look for, but there are also regional accrediting bodies such as The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. While not an accrediting organization, the Alabama Board of Nursing also endorses certain programs.

Admission Requirements

Alabama LPN schools usually require the following for admission:

  • Minimum ACT scores
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA cumulative high school GPA (or GED if applicable)
  • Gain admission to the college
  • Fill out and submit an official application

Tuition and Costs

While LPN program tuition and fees can fluctuate depending on the school, students enrolled in any LPN program in Alabama will need to cover the costs of tuition, additional program fees, course materials, and more. For example, the LPN program at Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery is around $159 per credit hour for tuition and fees, not including textbooks or additional expenses.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Alabama LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

Alabama LPN Licensing Requirements

Alabama has strict requirements for becoming an LPN in the state—the most important being attending a State Board-approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Along with a completed application for licensure, the applicant must submit:

  • Office transcript from state-approved nursing program.
  • Proof of US citizenship or lawful presence.
  • Receipt of NCLEX exam registration.

Applicants educated abroad can apply for a license in Alabama and must not only have passed the NCLEX-PN, but he or she must also submit his or her official school transcripts for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to perform a full course-by-course review and evaluate the credentials. The applicant must also have graduated from an approved nursing program that is equivalent to the state of Alabama and have a social security number. Alabama LPN licenses expire December 31st every even-numbered year, but the licensee can renew from September 1 to November 30th of the year their license expires—renewing between December 1 and 31st will incur a late fee. In addition, 24+ contact hours of board-approved continued education must also be completed during the 2-year licensing period.

NCLEX Exam Information

The NCLEX-PN is the exam that must be passed by LPN program graduates in order to be eligible for licensure. This examination contains around 112 questions in categories such as health promotion and maintenance, safety and infection control, and more. Read more about the NCLEX-PN exam here, and don’t forget to take our practice exam to prepare for the test!

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

As of January 1, 2020, the state of Alabama recognizes multistate licenses issued by other party states, for practice in Alabama. Through the Nurse Licensure Compact, a nurse holding a multistate licenses is entitled to practice in any NLC party state. However, nurses must learn and comply at all times with the laws of the state where he or she currently is working.

2024 AL NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics

  • Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 16
  • 2022 Average Statewide Alabama NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 90.9%

Top Ranked Alabama LPN Programs

1

Calhoun Community College

6250 U.S. 31, Tanner, AL 35671 - (256) 890-4700 - Visit Homepage

Calhoun Community College is located in Tanner, Alabama, with an additional campus located in Huntsville. This open-admission, comprehensive community college is dedicated to providing an affordable, 3-semester practical nursing education program that is also high-quality and easily accessible to its four-county service area. It's also the largest two-year institution in the Alabama Community College System.

Overall Score: 98.92 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
2

Wallace State Community College

801 Main Street N.W., Hanceville, AL 35077-2000 - (356) 352-8198 - Visit Homepage

Wallace State Community College (WSCC), located in Hanceville, Alabama, encourages student success by offering day, evening, and weekend classes, as well as courses online. WSCC is committed to the community by not only promoting an innovative and engaging environment, but also by offering a top-notch 3-semester LPN certificate course designed to train the next generation of entry-level nurses.

Overall Score: 98.90 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
3

Southern Union State Community College

750 Roberts St, Wadley, AL 36276 - (256) 395-2211 - Visit Homepage

Southern Union State Community College, a public institution located in the heart of Alabama, is renowned for its exceptional licensed practical nursing program. As part of the Alabama Community College System, it offers a vibrant learning environment with small class sizes, allowing students to receive personalized attention and thrive in their educational journey.

Overall Score: 98.67 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
4

Bevill State Community College

101 State St, Sumiton, AL 35148 - (205) 648-3271 - Visit Homepage

Bevill State Community College offers a unique healthcare transition PN mobility program for military medics. This program is designed to build upon the skills and knowledge of military veterans who wish to enter nursing practice. Throughout the course of the program, these students will be trained to become practical nurses through evidence-based nursing coursework.

Overall Score: 98.51 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
5

Lawson State Community College

3060 Wilson Rd SW, Birmingham, AL 35221 - (205) 925-2515 - Visit Homepage

Lawson State Community College (LSCC) is located in Bessemer, Alabama, with an additional campus located in Birmingham. Since 1973, LSCC's practical nursing program has been dedicated to promoting quality opportunities for lifelong learning. The curriculum highlights nursing care management and skills, and gives students a solid base for future nursing degrees.

Overall Score: 98.00 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools

Continued List of All Programs in Alabama

RankedProgramScore
#6 Northeast Alabama Community College
138 Alabama 35, Rainsville, AL 35744
(256) 228-6001
97.40
#7 Bishop State Community College
351 N Broad St, Mobile, AL 36603
(251) 405-7000
96.20
#8 Northwest-Shoals Community College
800 George Wallace Blvd, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 331-5200
96.06
#9 Shelton State Community College
9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 391-2211
95.54
#10 Gadsden State Community College
1001 George Wallace Dr, Gadsden, AL 35903
(256) 549-8200
95.40
#11 J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
3421 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL 35811
(256) 539-8161
93.20
#12 Wallace Community College
1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, AL 36303
(334) 983-3521
89.29
#13 Reid State Technical College
100 Alabama 83, Evergreen, AL 36401
(251) 578-1313
88.64
#14 Wallace Community College Selma
3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway, Selma, AL 36702-2530
(334) 876-9227
76.70
#15 Trenholm State Community College
1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108
(334) 420-4415
76.52

Programs Not Included In Rankings

Program
Enterprise State Community College
600 Plaza Dr, Enterprise, AL 36330
(334) 347-2623

Are we missing your school's program or need to make changes to the information listed? Please contact us.

Additional AL Nursing Resources

LPN Salary in Alabama

The table below lists career information organized by the BLS for licensed practical nurses in Alabama. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Birmingham, Hoover2,340$23.89$49,680
Huntsville910$22.75$47,310
Tuscaloosa760$21.53$44,790
Montgomery740$21.58$44,890
Mobile730$21.31$44,330
Dothan550$19.24$40,030
Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville300$21.04$43,750
Florence, Muscle Shoals300$19.55$40,660
Gadsden270$21.26$44,210
Daphne, Fairhope, Foley260$21.89$45,540
Decatur190$21.23$44,160
Auburn, Opelika110$21.08$43,850

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)