Birmingham anchors Alabama's largest concentration of hospital beds, outpatient clinics, and skilled nursing facilities, with UAB Hospital, Grandview Medical Center, St. Vincent's, and Brookwood Baptist collectively employing thousands of LPNs across acute, long-term, and ambulatory settings. That demand creates opportunity, but choosing the right program still requires weighing cost against schedule flexibility, NCLEX pass rates against commute time, and campus options against the handful of hybrid alternatives across central Alabama.
Most Birmingham-area LPN certificates run 12 to 18 months, with evening and accelerated tracks available at select schools. Only a few programs operate within city limits; others sit within a 40-mile drive or offer partial online coursework.
Birmingham's Healthcare Landscape for LPNs
Students entering LPN programs in Alabama should know that licensed practical nurses in Birmingham work under a defined state scope of practice: they administer oral and most injectable medications, perform wound care and dressing changes, monitor vital signs, collect specimens, and reinforce patient teaching under RN or physician supervision. Alabama also offers an optional IV therapy certification that expands what an LPN can do at the bedside, including initiating peripheral IVs and managing certain infusions. That add-on credential matters in Birmingham because it can qualify a new LPN for hospital floors and infusion clinics that would otherwise be closed to them.
Where Birmingham LPNs Actually Work
The metro's hospital footprint is anchored by UAB Health System, Brookwood Baptist Health, Grandview Medical Center, Ascension St. Vincent's, and the Birmingham VA Medical Center. Hospitals get the headlines, but they are not the largest LPN employers in Alabama or nationally. Nursing care facilities employ the largest single share of LPNs in the country, followed by hospitals, home health services, and physician offices.3 Birmingham broadly reflects that mix: skilled nursing facilities across Jefferson and Shelby counties, home health agencies, primary care and specialty practices, and long-term acute care hospitals all hire LPNs at steady volume.
Pay and Employment in the Metro
BLS occupational data for the Birmingham-Hoover metro area (May 2023, the most recent published) put LPN employment at roughly 2,230 with a median hourly wage of $24.26 and a mean annual wage near $53,130.1 Newer local wage estimates from Alabama's labor department suggest entry pay around $20.50 per hour and experienced pay near $29.59, though those figures use a different methodology than BLS and should be read as directional.2
Nearby Markets Worth Considering
Birmingham graduates routinely commute to or relocate for jobs in Hoover, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, and Anniston. Because so much LPN hiring sits in skilled nursing and physician offices rather than academic hospitals, the clinical rotations your program secures, and whether they include long-term care and outpatient sites, shape your first job more than the school's name does.
Can You Complete an LPN Program Online in Alabama?
Fully online and hybrid LPN training in Alabama represent two very different paths, and only one of them realistically leads to licensure.
The Online Reality in Alabama
Alabama Board of Nursing does not allow a prelicensure LPN program to be completed entirely online. The reason is straightforward: supervised clinical experiences must happen in person, and distance-delivered prelicensure programs still need ABN approval and national nursing accreditation. No Alabama practical nursing program lets you finish completely online, based on 2025-2026 program information.
Hybrid Options: What Actually Exists
Some schools offer Hybrid LPN Programs, with didactic coursework online and required labs or clinicals on campus. Northwest-Shoals Community College is one Alabama program documented as moving toward a hybrid model, but it is in Muscle Shoals, not Birmingham. Herzing University is a name many students encounter in online searches; however, current available sources do not confirm a Birmingham-area Herzing LPN hybrid option. Lawson State, Bevill State in Jasper, Shelton State in Tuscaloosa, Wallace State in Hanceville, and Southern Union in Wadley are ABN-approved programs near Birmingham, but sources do not label them hybrid. The ABN's published list of Accredited LPN and RN Programs does not break out which ones are hybrid, so students need to confirm delivery format directly with each school. Any delivery change, including adding a hybrid or weekend cohort, requires ABN approval.
Why Fully Remote Is Off the Table
Clinical hour totals are tied to certification agency requirements for each role and patient population, not one published statewide number. In practice programs build in hundreds of hours of labs, skills practice, and supervised patient care. That hands-on component cannot be replicated remotely.
The Practical Alternative
If you searched for online LPN programs, consider nearby campus programs with evening or weekend schedules instead. You may still get some flexibility without sacrificing the clinical training Alabama requires. Before enrolling in any out-of-state distance program, remember that Alabama clinical placements need ABN approval, typically at least 15 days in advance.
LPN Programs Within Commuting Distance of Birmingham
Birmingham residents have multiple ACEN-accredited LPN programs within a 40-mile drive, each with distinct scheduling and campus options worth comparing when considering LPN school.
Jefferson State Community College
Jefferson State offers a three-semester Practical Nursing certificate embedded within its ADN pathway, which supports LPN to RN in Alabama. The 45-credit program runs full-time only, with no part-time option available. Students can pursue the LPN track at the Jefferson, Shelby-Hoover, St. Clair-Pell City, or Chilton-Clanton campuses, though start dates vary by location. Jefferson and Shelby campuses accept cohorts in spring, summer, and fall, while Pell City and Chilton-Clanton admit students only in fall. An evening cohort is available at the Shelby campus for fall starts only. Beginning Fall 2026, Jefferson State requires the TEAS exam rather than the ACT for admission.
Lawson State Community College
Lawson State's Bessemer campus houses an LPN certificate program that typically spans three semesters. The program operates on a traditional daytime schedule, with cohorts starting each fall and spring. Birmingham residents on the western side of the metro often find Lawson State the most convenient option, with the campus sitting just off I-20.
Herzing University Birmingham
Herzing offers a diploma-track LPN program with a career-focused structure. The Birmingham campus provides daytime instruction, and the private institution format may appeal to students seeking smaller cohort sizes. Program length generally aligns with the three to four semester range common across Alabama.
Options for a Longer Commute
Students willing to drive 60 to 75 miles may find shorter waitlists at Bevill State Community College in Jasper or Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. Bevill State runs a three-semester PN certificate with competitive admission requiring a minimum ACT of 18 and a 2.5 GPA. Wallace State offers both day and evening options at Hanceville, with day-only classes at the Oneonta Academic Center. A new evening track for the first three semesters launches at Hanceville in Fall 2026.
Clinical Placement Considerations
Regardless of your home campus, expect clinical rotations at hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics scattered across the metro. Your assigned sites may be 30 minutes or more from campus, so proximity to major clinical partners matters as much as classroom location.
Evening, Weekend, and Accelerated LPN Schedules in Birmingham
Demand for flexible LPN training keeps rising faster than Birmingham's schools have expanded their scheduling options. If you've searched for a 6-month LPN program in Birmingham, AL, you may have encountered the fastest LPN/LVN programs, but the honest answer is that nothing on the state-approved list runs that fast. Birmingham-area community college LPN tracks are built around 12 to 18 months of coursework and clinical rotations, and that structure doesn't compress into a single semester regardless of how a program markets itself.
What "Accelerated" Actually Means Here
When local programs use the word accelerated, they usually mean a summer-start cohort or a condensed semester calendar, not a shortened curriculum. Herzing University's Birmingham practical nursing track is the clearest example, running on a roughly 12-month timeline that's faster than the traditional two-year academic calendar but still well short of six months. Lawson State admits LPN students twice a year, with summer and fall application deadlines, which gives applicants more entry points without changing the total time to completion.
Evening and Weekend Availability
Here's where expectations need adjusting: as of the current admissions cycle, none of the three major Birmingham-area options, Lawson State, Jefferson State, or Herzing, offer an evening or weekend LPN cohort. Lawson State's LPN track runs as a day program at its Bessemer campus; the school's evening cohort is reserved for its RN pathway, not LPN students, which reflects the broader differences between LPN and RN programs. Jefferson State and Herzing follow the same pattern in their current published schedules.1
The Real Time Commitment
Whatever the format, the credit load and clinical hours don't shrink. Students in any Birmingham LPN program should plan for 30 or more hours a week of combined classroom instruction and supervised clinical work, which functions like a part-time job on top of coursework.
Because evening and weekend options are so limited, seats in any nontraditional format tend to fill with working adults who apply well ahead of deadlines. If your schedule depends on flexibility, plan to submit your application for LPN/LVN program admissions a full cycle earlier than you think you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham LPN Programs
Prospective students exploring LPN programs in the Birmingham area tend to ask many of the same questions. The answers below draw on current program details, admissions criteria, and pass rate data so you can compare options with confidence.
How long does it take to complete an LPN program in Birmingham, AL?
Most Birmingham-area LPN programs run 12 to 18 months, depending on the school and whether you attend full time. Lawson State Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate, for example, is structured as three semesters (roughly 12 months) covering 49 credit hours. Programs with evening or part-time tracks will typically fall closer to the 18-month end of that range.
What are the requirements for the Lawson State LPN program?
Applicants need at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at Lawson State or their most recent college. Prerequisite courses, including ENG 101, MTH 100, BIO 201, and BIO 202, must each be completed with a minimum 2.5 GPA by the application deadline. An ACT composite of 18 and a Science subscore of 18 are required; superscores are accepted from Alabama Community College system testing sites. Admission is competitive and points-based.
Are there 6-month or accelerated LPN programs in Birmingham?
No confirmed six-month LPN program currently operates in the Birmingham metro area. Some national sources reference programs as short as six to ten months, but none cite a specific Birmingham campus offering that timeline. The fastest local options run roughly 12 months, including at Lawson State and Herzing University. If speed is your priority, ask each school about summer-start cohorts, which can sometimes compress the calendar slightly.
How much does an LPN program cost in Birmingham, Alabama?
Tuition and fees across Birmingham-area LPN programs generally fall between $5,000 and $15,000 for the full certificate. Lawson State's total program cost is approximately $6,000 per year, making it one of the more affordable options in the region. Keep in mind that total investment also includes textbooks, uniforms, clinical supplies, background checks, and exam fees, which can add several hundred dollars.
What is the NCLEX-PN pass rate for Birmingham LPN schools?
Lawson State's Practical Nursing program posted a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2025, and it holds full approval from the Alabama Board of Nursing. Pass rates at other Birmingham-area schools vary from year to year. Before enrolling, request the most recent annual pass rate directly from each program and confirm its Board of Nursing approval status.
Can I work as an LPN while completing an LPN-to-RN bridge program?
Yes, in most cases. Enrolling in a bridge program does not affect your existing LPN license, so you can continue working as long as your employer and class schedule allow it. For example, Herzing University's Birmingham LPN-to-RN bridge awards 10 semester credits for your completed LPN training, which lightens the course load and makes part-time work more manageable.
Do Birmingham LPN programs accept transfer credits from other nursing programs?
Policies differ by school. Lawson State evaluates prior college coursework and will accept prerequisite credits that meet its 2.5 GPA threshold, but nursing-specific clinical courses are harder to transfer because curricula vary. Contact each program's admissions office with your official transcripts early in the process so an advisor can determine exactly which credits apply and which courses you will still need to complete.
Related Articles
Accreditation Status and NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for Birmingham-Area Programs
Before committing to any LPN program, verify two things: that the school appears on the Alabama Board of Nursing's approved program list (a non-negotiable requirement for NCLEX-PN eligibility) and that its first-time pass rate holds up against the national benchmark. The national NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate has hovered around 85 to 87 percent in recent reporting cycles, according to NCSBN data. Programs that consistently fall below 80 percent warrant caution, because a lower pass rate can signal gaps in curriculum rigor, clinical preparation, or student support. Both Lawson State Community College and Herzing University Birmingham appear on the Alabama Board of Nursing's approved list. Lawson State holds programmatic accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which adds a layer of external quality review beyond state approval. Herzing University's Birmingham practical nursing program is state approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing; its institutional nursing programs also carry ACEN accreditation. Jefferson State Community College is frequently searched by prospective students in the Birmingham area, but confirmed NCLEX-PN pass rate data for a standalone LPN program at that institution was not available at the time of publication. Pass rate figures below are sourced from the Alabama Board of Nursing's annual reporting and each school's published student achievement disclosures.
| School | Accreditation | NCLEX-PN First-Time Pass Rate | Reporting Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawson State Community College | ACEN accredited; Alabama Board of Nursing approved | 85.71% | 2024 |
| Herzing University (Birmingham Campus) | Alabama Board of Nursing approved; institutional nursing programs ACEN accredited | 97.96% | 2025 |
LPN Program Costs, Financial Aid, and Total Investment
A Birmingham-area LPN certificate costs less than a single semester at most four-year schools, and for most residents it pays for itself within the first year on the job.
Lawson State Community College charges in-district students $5,040 in tuition for the LPN certificate, with an effective net price around $6,275 once fees and standard costs are factored in. Out-of-district students pay closer to $8,910. Bevill State Community College, roughly an hour from Birmingham, runs slightly cheaper at $4,734 in-district and $8,346 out-of-district, with a net price near $5,937. Jeff State follows a similar in-district versus out-of-district tuition split typical of Alabama's community college system. Herzing University, a private option, charges considerably more than any public program in the metro, which matters if financial aid doesn't fully close the gap.
Beyond Tuition
Tuition is rarely the whole bill. Budget for:
- Entrance testing: TEAS exam fees typically run $60-$115.
- Clinical requirements: background checks, drug screening, and required vaccinations often add $150-$300.
- Uniforms and supplies: scrubs, shoes, and a clinical kit can run $200-$400.
- Licensure: the NCLEX-PN application and testing fees add another $200-$300 near graduation.
Altogether, these extras add $500 to $1,500 on top of published tuition, so treat the sticker price as a floor, not the ceiling.
Paying For It
Pell Grants cover a meaningful share of costs for eligible community college nursing students at both Lawson State and Bevill State, though award amounts vary by household income. The Alabama Student Assistance Program offers additional need-based grant money layered on top of Pell. Students who've lost jobs or are changing careers, including veterans and military service members, should ask their local Career Center about Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding, which can cover tuition and supplies for approved healthcare training. Several Birmingham hospital systems also offer tuition reimbursement or forgivable loan programs for LPNs who commit to working after graduation, worth asking about before you enroll.
The Payback Math
Community college LPN programs in the Birmingham area run roughly $5,000 to $15,000 in total investment, a price band that falls squarely within the Most Affordable LPN/LVN Programs for 2026. Against a median LPN wage of $24.26 per hour in the Birmingham metro, most graduates recover their full program cost within the first year of full-time work, a payback window few other credentials can match.
What Birmingham LPNs Earn: Salary by Setting and Experience
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that LPNs in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area earned a median hourly wage of roughly $22.54 as of the most recent release, translating to an estimated median annual salary near $46,900. That figure sits below the national LPN median of $59,730, reflecting Alabama's generally lower cost of living and regional wage structure. However, setting matters: hospital-based LPNs and those in specialty clinics in Birmingham typically earn above the 75th percentile locally, while positions in nursing homes and home health agencies tend to cluster closer to the median. Competition among Birmingham's large hospital systems, including UAB, Grandview, and Brookwood Baptist, can push facility-based wages higher than the statewide average for practical nurses.
Admission Requirements and How to Apply to Birmingham LPN Programs
Applying to Birmingham-area LPN programs means balancing selectivity against timeline: community colleges like Lawson State use competitive, points-based admission with fixed deadlines, while private institutions such as Herzing University often accept applications on a rolling basis year-round. Pairing each school's requirements with Practical Nursing Resources lets you prepare strategically and apply to more than one program at the same time.
Lawson State LPN Program Requirements
Lawson State is the most-searched LPN program in the Birmingham metro, and its admission process reflects genuine competition. To be eligible, you need:
- Cumulative GPA: 2.0 minimum at Lawson State or your most recent college.
- Prerequisite GPA: 2.5 across required courses, which include ENG 101, MTH 100 (or higher), BIO 201, and BIO 202.
- Standardized test: ACT composite of 18 and a Science subscore of 18. Lawson accepts superscores. Note that the exam must be an ACT administered through an Alabama Community College System campus; outside testing center scores may not be accepted.
- Foundational coursework: ORI 101, ENG 101, MTH 100 or above, BIO 103 (if needed as a prerequisite for anatomy), BIO 201, and BIO 202 should be completed or in progress by the application deadline.
Lawson State's college-wide calendar lists application windows around November 1, July 1, and December 1, though LPN-specific deadlines are not always published separately. Contact the nursing department directly to confirm the cycle you are targeting. Admission is competitive and points-based, meaning your ACT scores, prerequisite grades, and potentially prior healthcare experience are scored and ranked against other applicants.
How Jeff State and Herzing Compare
Jefferson State's nursing program shifted from requiring an ACT minimum of 18 to requiring a TEAS score of at least 58 beginning with the Fall 2026 cohort. Jeff State also uses a ranking system, and attending an information session can earn you an extra ranking point. The Summer 2026 application opened in January and closed February 23, 2026, so deadlines arrive earlier than many applicants expect.
Herzing University uses rolling admissions, meaning there is no single cutoff date. This flexibility can be appealing if you miss a community college deadline, though tuition at a private school runs considerably higher.
After You Are Accepted: Clinical Clearance
Acceptance is not the finish line. Before your first clinical rotation, expect to complete:
- Drug screening and a criminal background check
- A physical exam with updated immunization records
- AHA CPR certification (online-only courses may not qualify)
- Proof of hospitalization insurance and professional liability coverage
- Clinical site orientation sessions, which vary by facility
These steps can take weeks and carry their own fees, so begin gathering documentation as soon as you receive an acceptance letter.
Plan for Competition
Birmingham-area LPN cohorts typically seat 20 to 30 students per cycle, and qualified applicants regularly outnumber available spots. Applying to multiple programs simultaneously improves your odds and gives you leverage if one school's timeline does not work out.
Alabama LPN Licensure: Steps From Graduation to Your First Job
Once you complete an approved practical nursing program in Alabama, a clear sequence stands between you and your first clinical shift. The entire process, from application to job offer, typically takes a few weeks if you prepare your documents in advance. Budget roughly $330 total for the state application ($128.50) and NCLEX-PN registration (approximately $200 through Pearson VUE). Alabama participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your multistate license may let you practice in other compact states without additional applications. After licensure, plan for renewal every two years (odd-numbered years) with 24 contact hours of approved continuing education per cycle.
Birmingham LPN Programs Ranked by Outcomes and Value
Below are the top LPN programs serving Birmingham students, ranked by completion data, accreditation standing, and fit with the metro healthcare job market. Both options lead to the NCLEX-PN and to entry-level roles in Birmingham hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient clinics. Each entry notes net price, institution-wide graduation rate, program-level earnings where they are published, and how the schedule works for commuters.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt levels
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Net price after grant aid
- Program accreditation standing
- Schedule and commute fit
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
Lawson State Community College
Lawson State is Birmingham's home-team option: the college is based on Wilson Road in the city, and its ACEN-accredited practical nursing certificate runs three semesters and 49 credit hours on the Bessemer campus, well inside the metro commute. Admission is point-based, and applicants can earn extra points by taking pre-nursing electives at the Birmingham campus before transitioning to Bessemer for the LPN coursework. The college reports 100% job placement and an NCLEX-PN pass rate above 85% for 2024, with an LPN to RN track available afterward; institution-wide, the graduation rate is about 27%, net price runs near $6,275, and program-level earnings for the certificate are not yet published.
- ACEN-accredited certificate totaling 49 credit hours over three semesters
- Summer and fall start dates, with two cohorts per year
- Point-based admission with extra points for pre-nursing electives
- Pre-nursing coursework may be completed at the Birmingham campus
- LPN coursework itself runs on the Bessemer campus
- Reports 100% job placement and an NCLEX-PN pass rate above 85% for 2024
- LPN to RN track available after licensure
- Minimum 2.5 GPA and an ACT entrance exam required
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate — On-Campus
Bevill State Community College
Bevill State serves the northern edge of the Birmingham market from Jasper, roughly 40 miles from the city and within commuting range for students in Walker and surrounding counties. Its practical nursing certificate runs three semesters on a concept-based curriculum adopted in 2016, with spring and summer start dates, small cohorts, and continuing accreditation for the nursing programs, and the college has built a nursing pathway with the UAB School of Nursing. Bevill reports graduating more than 1,000 nurses across its LPN and RN programs in recent years, largely to staff rural Alabama hospitals; institution-wide graduation rate is about 38%, net price is near $5,937, and program-level earnings for the certificate are not yet published.
- Three-semester certificate with spring and summer start dates
- Concept-based curriculum adopted in 2016 with small class sizes
- ACT entrance exam required, with no expiration date on scores
- Minimum 2.5 GPA in prerequisite courses
- Curriculum aligned with Alabama Board of Nursing licensure criteria
- Clinical background check, health insurance, and annual physical required
- Initial and random drug screening required for clinical placement
- Certificate feeds into the college's ADN program for RN progression
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
From LPN to RN: Bridge Programs Available to Birmingham Graduates
Birmingham LPNs can climb the full nursing ladder without leaving the metro through LPN to RN bridge programs: Lawson State and Jeff State both offer LPN-to-ADN mobility tracks, and UAB School of Nursing completes the path with a fully online RN-to-BSN.
Lawson State: Credit by Exam Into the ADN
Lawson State's LPN to RN Mobility route sits inside its Associate Degree in Nursing program. Rather than a separate accelerated cohort, licensed practical nurses earn advanced placement by testing out of two nursing courses, NUR 111 and NUR 271, through the ACT-PEP Test 403 (Fundamentals) and Test 559 (Maternity). Each exam requires a minimum score of 45. Candidates who pass both skip those courses and enter the ADN sequence with credit already banked, shortening time to the RN.
Jefferson State: LPN to RN Mobility Track
Jeff State runs a formal LPN to RN Mobility Track leading to the Associate Degree in Nursing. The program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and has historically carried National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission accreditation. Eligibility centers on a current, unencumbered Alabama LPN license plus documentation of 500 practice hours in the preceding 12 months. Selected students complete a one-credit bridging course before joining the RN cohort; missing it forfeits the seat.
UAB: Finishing the BSN Online
UAB School of Nursing does not offer a direct LPN-to-BSN route, so Birmingham LPNs choosing the right LPN/LVN bridge program typically finish the ADN first, then transfer in as RNs. The RN-to-BSN is 30 credits, delivered 100% online, with 3, 4, and 5 semester plans available. Requirements include an ADN or diploma from an accredited program, an active unencumbered RN license, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and a C or better in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, and Descriptive Statistics.
Realistic Timeline
Plan on roughly two to three additional semesters beyond the LPN certificate to finish the ADN through LPN bridge programs, then another three to five semesters part-time for the BSN. Start to BSN, the full ladder generally runs two and a half to four years.
